ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER#3 REVIEW

[All Star Batman]

This wasn't the best issue of the series, but I hope Miller is going somewhere with this. I hope we get Dick in costume soon. And pretty soon: BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN. Although there was one part that was funny.

DICK: So what do you call this thing?

BATMAN: The Batmobile.

DICK: That is totally queer.

BATMAN: Shut up.


See you later for issue 4.

[blinker]

ALL STAR BATMAN & ROBIN; THE BOY WONDER #3

REVIEW:

We've been waiting since...god knows well for the next issue of Batman & Robin in the All Star series. Mostly some stories in books or movies, even shows, take extra time for things to be corrected if they don't sound right and end up being better than what was originally planned.

I hope that's the case cause if it is, Issue 4 should've been released at the same time Issue 3 was. Issue 3, I would call it, would be the setup for things to come: Robin of course, Black Canary, and finally: Superman.

Jim Lee is great as an artist, one of his big traits next to Michael Turner is how he can draw sexy women. Of course, I'm referrign to Black Canary. Maybe if we knew more about her, we would like the scene where she beats the crap outta the greedy, disgusting men calling her names like "Sweet Cheeks" and feeling her butt. BTW, was that Green Arrow at the bar?

With the addition of Superman in the book by the man who broke off the relationship between Batman and Superman, we can tell that from the events of Batman takign Dick Grayson will lead to a fight between them, maybe in DKR-style.

On Batman and Dick's side, Dick is still trying to believe all this that has happened. Even with the factr that the car he's in is called the Batmobile, and it can fly as well as swim. Batman, on the other hand, while still acting like a smart butt, he's still trying to figure what has he done.

Overall, while good anyway, I would like it if they released both Issues 3 and 4 because this issue is the set up of things to come. And WE MUST KNOW what will happen next.

RATING: 6.9/10

EDIT:

BTW, Can I post my reviews of Issues 1-2 here?

[HUSH]

I read Issue 3, and while still good, imo, it was really drawn out and mostly served the purpose of setting up future plot developments. Incidentally, though, the Lee cover for this issue is one of my favorite covers so far for this series.

[gotham95]

I've been reading a lot of negative reviews about Allstar B/R on the web. In my opinion I read #1 and thought the book had potential and was heading in a different yet interesting direction. I liked it. Then I read #2 and now #3 and I feel myself wanting to like the book but it is quickly losing my interest, especially with #3. We're introduced to Black Canary, see Bats still in the Batmobile with Robin and now see Superman get upset after seeing the paper and milk carton of Dick. That's it!! BTW, I was under the impression this has all happened in relatively short time so how come Dick's already on a milk carton? I hope #4 has more to deliver and more storyline.

[jasontodd2]

gotham95 said:

BTW, I was under the impression this has all happened in relatively short time so how come Dick's already on a milk carton? I hope #4 has more to deliver and more storyline.

Great Point, I was wondering the same thing.
-----
And I think I am in the general with what everybody is saying, we all want to like this new AllStar series but it's really hard getting into, with the slow storyline's. Perhaps they are cramming too much into one issue taking away from alot of great story telling. I will stick around for about ten issues before I make a real determination as if to continue on or to 86 it off my comic list

[blinker]

I guess what's going to happen is that people will still buy it to see what's going on and once it's done, they'll re-read it again as a whole to get the whole picture.

But I still like it. I KNEW what to expect since it's Frank Miller. The Miller, bad-butt Batman was going to appear. So if you guys didn't expect this at all, then part of the fault goes to you too.

I still believe also that the delays starting with Issue 3 is due to Miller seeing the reviews and rewriting the rest of the comic. That would only make sense as to why this title took a long time to get to its third issue.

This is funny.

Superman fans are questioning AS Supes and love AS Bats. While Batman fans are questioning AS Bats and love AS Supes.

BTW, there's two Batman mini-series going on. And since All Star Superman is having no problems at all, would you AS Bat-haters consider Batman and the Monster Men an All Star Batman?

[All Star Batman]

But I still like it. I KNEW what to expect since it's Frank Miller. The Miller, bad-butt Batman was going to appear. So if you guys didn't expect this at all, then part of the fault goes to you too.

I still believe also that the delays starting with Issue 3 is due to Miller seeing the reviews and rewriting the rest of the comic. That would only make sense as to why this title took a long time to get to its third issue.

Here here. With Miller writing, what the hell were you expecting? This guy ain't Schumacher people.

And thats what I said about the delay for issue 3.

This is funny.

Superman fans are questioning AS Supes and love AS Bats. While Batman fans are questioning AS Bats and love AS Supes.

BTW, there's two Batman mini-series going on. And since All Star Superman is having no problems at all, would you AS Bat-haters consider Batman and the Monster Men an All Star Batman?

That is funny.

And no, I consider the All Star Batman THE All Star Batman. I conseder the Monster Man Batman still early in Batman's career in the regular DC Universe.

[Batlaw]

batfan1990 said:

With Miller writing, what the hell were you expecting? This guy ain't Schumacher people.

Hhmmmmm.... Nope. Schumacher ADMITS to ruining Batman!
OOoohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[DBrennan3333]

Honestly, I'm surprised that people on a Batman message board have anything but dismissive contempt for this stream of crap. Heck, nevermind the fact that it's the dumbest comic since the notorious 'Mr. T' book in '93, this issue hardly even had Batman.

There's no story. None. It's all attitude and Batman acting like a caricature of a tough guy rather than a tough guy himself.

And against all odds, they managed to have a plot hole....in a story with no plot! Gotham95 was right (my ego won't let me not say that I thought of it immediately, as well): Superman gets the newspaper talking about Batman's kidnapping of Grayson, and he's already drinking from a milk carton with the Grayson in the "missing child" spot! (Invariably, they'll hold issue #4 up for another month while Miller pathetically tries to come up with a rationalization for this mistake.)

This is after the endless string of plot holes in the first two issues (such as why a gunman would shoot two people in front of 2,000 witnesses and how, if Batman had been "watching" Dick Grayson, he didn't even know his parents were in trouble. There's at least a dozen others.)

BTW, does the Batman/Robin relationship in this remind anybody else of the Farley/Spade relationship in 'Tommy Boy'? Seriously, Robin says something clever with a wry smirk and Batman is dumbfounded for a moment before coming up with this zinger: "Shut up!" That's straight out of 'Tommy Boy!' (In the next issue Batman's gonna take Robin out cow tippin'!

Old Frank Miller (no relationship to Young Frank Miller) is a pretentious jagoff living off of his namesake. If his name weren't so darn similar to that of the fellow who twenty years ago wrote 'The Dark Knight Returns,' and 'Year One' he'd be the cranky dude at Barnes and Noble who gets all pissy when you ask where the the automotive section is.

The art was pretty good though.

[/\/\att]

Many people feel that way, actually. We have a discussion/debate thread on it here:

legionsofgotham.proboards70.com/index.cgi?board=comics&action=display&thread=1133121575

[Batrez]

I agree with Dbrennan 100%

[batkit]

Monster Men, unlike the allstar book, is going somewhere with its story. Anyone who hasnt read it yet definitely should check it out.

Just how many issues of AllStar are there supposed to be anyway?

[reideen1313]

batkit said:

Just how many issues of AllStar are there supposed to be anyway?

Funny that you should ask. All Star is going to continue after Lee's run on the book is done. The next artist on the book is (spoiler - highlight to read) Neal Adams.

Still not enough to get me back on this book though.

[All Star Batman]

reideen1313 said:

batkit said:

Just how many issues of AllStar are there supposed to be anyway?

Funny that you should ask. All Star is going to continue after Lee's run on the book is done. The next artist on the book is (spoiler - highlight to read) Neal Adams.

Still not enough to get me back on this book though.

*Spits water at computer screen*
HIM?! Well, this is a suprise. How long till Lee's done anyway? Will Miller still be on the book with him?

[HUSH]

reideen1313 said:

batkit said:

Just how many issues of AllStar are there supposed to be anyway?

Funny that you should ask. All Star is going to continue after Lee's run on the book is done. The next artist on the book is (spoiler - highlight to read) Neal Adams.

Still not enough to get me back on this book though.

Interesting...I assume there will be a new writer as well? Also, how many issues until Miller and Lee are done with their run(hopefully more than 3 left)?

[All Star Batman]

bane said:

reideen1313 said:

Funny that you should ask. All Star is going to continue after Lee's run on the book is done. The next artist on the book is (spoiler - highlight to read) Neal Adams.

Still not enough to get me back on this book though.

Interesting...I assume there will be a new writer as well? Also, how many issues until Miller and Lee are done with their run(hopefully more than 3 left)?

I heard they were up to 6 issues. But I'm hoping they get a whole year in with 12 issues.

[blinker]

In a recent interview with one of the editors of DC, he explains All Star Batman, and why he still like it and why it is considered "successful":

NRAMA: Okay, this brings us to the All Star titles.

First of all, no doubt readers will want whatever updates you might have on the future of All Star Batman. How long will the Frank Miller/Jim Lee collaboration continue and what can you day about the fate of the series after that?

SCHRECK: Frank and Jim are in for as long as it takes them to tell this tale. At the rate it's unfolding, it's hard to tell exactly how many issues that will translate into. I'd say they’ll be on for at least 12 issues, possibly more. Both gents expressed a desire to let the story breathe, so to speak, and to not worry about when it's done, but rather, how well it's done. After their run... well, it's too soon to be revealing that... But we're covered.

NRAMA: For sake of discussion, remind readers again of what the All Star titles are? What’s the mission statement of what an "All Star" title is?

SCHRECK: All Star is a chance for DC to allow the very best creators this medium has to offer to bring their substantial talents to construct new interpretations of comics most classic icons to the comics page in style. Re-inventing these comic book icons and their origins for a modern audience.

NRAMA: Are the titles supposed to be geared towards a particular – perhaps broader – audience than a standard “continuity” title?

SCHRECK: They are intended to be geared to a reader who lives and breathes in our modern society. They are not intended to be a re-telling of or a strict adaptation of a tale written and illustrated over a half century ago. But the main beats from those tales will be present, with a healthy dose of creative license.

NRAMA: To back up a bit, part of the reason we're asking is because the content of All-Star Batman & Robin the Boy Wonder took some readers, and even retailers, by surprise. Whether or not the impression was given by DC or based purely on reader/retailer assumption, it’s fair to say at least some people expected All Star Batman to be a title that was supposed to have wide appeal and many were surprised as to how "tough" the tone of the book was and how rough around the edges it was...

SCHRECK: The book was the #1, best selling title of 2005. I'd say that's a pretty wide appeal. It was clearly solicited as being written by Frank Miller and penciled by Jim Lee. I believe both gentlemen are delivering their very best. I have no idea why anyone could have been taken by surprise by what was delivered. If you are expecting anything less than innovation, controversy, and white-hot message boards after either of these gents put their stamp on a book, well, you're just not paying attention.

If you are not aware of what Frank Miller does, you're living under a rock. The book was not solicited as being labeled in any way (and if you are aware of Frank's stance on labels, nor would you expect it to be), and I think because we discussed the title as a re-invention of classic iconic characters, some may have misinterpreted that as re-telling the same classic story in an old fashioned way.

NRAMA: Misinterpretation or otherwise, some were expecting something similar to say, Ultimate Spider-Man… which doesn’t mean that title is “old fashioned”, but it was designed for a very broad demographic. Most would agree All Star hasn't been that at all. So what you’re saying is, the series is playing out the way it was originally conceived?

SCHRECK: The series is exactly what we thought it would be - trendsetting, innovative, and the talk of the town.

NRAMA: And how about its pace so far. Was it originally pitched this way, or is the story evolving as it goes along?

SCHRECK: Again, it was never really defined in terms of how long it would be, both in terms of story pacing and amount of issues. Neither Jim, nor Frank, wanted to be concerned with anything other than getting a great tale on to the racks.

NRAMA: Did or have you followed the reaction to the title at all, and any thoughts on how it has been received?

SCHRECK: It's only just begun. Anyone who hasn't gotten it yet, will either get on board in the next few issues or they won't. Some people have a tendency to pre-judge things. I'm certain that most of those who are feeling a little lost in the woods, will be onboard soon. These things take time to roll out...

And it's best to let the creators get their story out there before automatically condemning it. Most people I talk to are having the time of their lives with Batman & Robin the Boy Wonder. Those that aren't don't have to buy the book. It's still a free country... I think? Right? But, considering the massive sales, I'd say we're doing just fine.

Source: www.newsarama.com/dcnew/editors/schreck/interview.html

[All Star Batman]

I'm glad they'll last about 12 issues. Nice work finding this out blinker.

And like Schrek said, with Frank Miller doing this title, how could you not expect the gritty, edgy Batman from DKR?

EDIT-
This a penciled page 3 of All Star#4:

[vishman007]

batfan1990 said:

I'm glad they'll last about 12 issues. Nice work finding this out blinker.

And like Schrek said, with Frank Miller doing this title, how could you not expect the gritty, edgy Batman from DKR?

EDIT-
This a penciled page 3 of All Star#4:

Theyre still in the Batmobile?!!!!!!!!!!!

[HUSH]

Thanks for posting that interview, blinker.

I know lots of people don't like this title, but DC has every right to call it successful. Know why? #1, best selling title of 2005!!!

Anyway, it's good to hear that this will be at least 12 issues long.

[Jack-Ups]

All star be thankful you dont have to wait before the publish it in tradepaperback form!

I picked up one issue from my local comiccshop,Forbidden planet which is one of the best in the country