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Post by blinker on Jul 6, 2006 22:29:43 GMT -5
This thread is for the Paul Dini's run on Detective Comics. I'm doing this because 1) Its Paul Dini, known for BTAS. And 2) Since there will be a thread on the Batman & Son arc from the Batman title, might as well not forget this.
So here is the first review:
DETECTIVE COMICS #821
PLOT:
Gotham's wealthiest citizens find themselves victimized by the mysterious new villain Facade. Operating with a gang trained to pass as members of the cities' elite, the masked mastermind's crimes baffle the police and leave members of Gotham society fearing for their lives. It's up to Batman to use a "facade" of his own, that of socialite Bruce Wayne, in order to bait the villain's underlings and discover the true identity of their elusive leader.
REVIEW:
Lets start with a "wow" for this issue. Paul Dini has written something that gives us a detective mystery feeling page by page, and above all to all DCAU fans; an issue that feels like its an episode of Batman: The Animated Series. Even the text in the boxes of the panels are written like the letters from the BTAS logo. Including the talk between Batman & Robin, Batman & Gordon, Bruce and Alfred, even the final lines of the issue have all these feelings from the show. The only thing that doesn't have that feeling, from Dini's writing, are those boxes that sound like the Dini/Ross book: BATMAN: WAR ON CRIME.
At first I thought that would be it for the review, but I decided that I should talk about the new villian. Simiply because he is NEW. The villian, Facade, is pretty weird. He must have an obsession for dummies as he collects them. He must have this thing for faceless people as he also wears a mask that covers his face so you can't see inside and reflects everything. A villain that was a nobody that wanted to be a somebody and knew how to get that.
Overall; this was nice. Now, this isn't an arc at all. At first I thought it was but it seems it isn't. The next issue is different that this. The only thing these issues of Detective Comics share is the cover by Simone Bianchi. I could be wrong if the next issue picks up where this left off, which the next ones don't have anything that seem to come from this issue. And that the title doesn't have Part 1 next to it. So this is one story issue. The next will be new and un-connected to this one.
RATING: 9/10
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Post by TheSpectre on Jul 10, 2006 22:17:05 GMT -5
I enjoyed seeing Dini write another Bat story. As we all know he was golden in B:TAS and War on Crime was fantastic to say the least. This story I thought was average. Could have been better, could have been worse. I'm looking forward to the next issue to see what Dini comes up with next.
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Post by Eric on Jul 11, 2006 10:57:39 GMT -5
I liked it. It was a decent stand alone issue, kinda reminded me of some of the single issued 70's stories.
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Post by blinker on Jul 11, 2006 15:18:29 GMT -5
Took a while for this topic to get some posters
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Post by HUSH on Jul 14, 2006 4:18:42 GMT -5
I liked this issue a lot. The stand alone-ness was refreshing, and it was a good mystery. Of course this series will get better as it picks up. We definitely don't want the first issue to be as good as it gets, do we? Anyway, as an introduction and a one-issue mystery, for me, this issue will be a winner. BTW, Dini has toted his arc as consisting of no drawn out story arcs, but one issue, and perhaps the occassional two-issue, stories. I doubt we'll see Facade again, but if we do, it won't be for a while, I'd wager. And he should be a one-shot villain. He was very interesting in this story, but I doubt any more can be done with him. I'm now eagerly anticipating Morrison's Batman run, starting in a little under 2 weeks!  |
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dasknight
Legions of Gotham Police Officer
I miss my parents.
Posts: 107
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Post by dasknight on Jul 21, 2006 23:24:47 GMT -5
Okay, picked this thing up yesterday and I liked it. I must admit I had considerably high expectations from this book, considering Dini wrote "Mad Love" and a wonderful story for Batman "Black & White Vol 1" the title of which escapes me right now. I smiled as I paid for it to the cashier and she said...wait for it:
"It's not 'Mad Love', but it's good..."
So with my expectations somewhat deflated I popped it into my bag and made my way back home.
The opening page did it for me though. I had not come across the artist before but somehow for me, the style evoked the Animated Series feel of the original comic. I liked the use of red and black throughout the action scenes, be it in the opening pages or final confrontation. I liked the minimalist approach taken with the cave - keeping it dark and robin in the shadows. I also thought using bats to mark the passing of time into the night was nicely done, albeit slightly overused. As blinker mentioned I also loved the way the text was penned out and once again it felt reminiscent of B:TAS - god I love that show. What didn't work for me artistically though was Bruce Wayne. The guy looks like a schlub. Perhaps the artist tried to show the effect that fighting crime had taken on Bruce's face, but to me Wayne has always been something of a pretty boy.
Dini's writing however, is the reason I bought the book, and here he doesn't disappoint. As with writing the characters for the animated series, Dini aims to get into the psychology behind his heroes and villains. Here he tackles Bruce's isolation within his own 'set' and his inability to fit in despite trying very hard. This seems to be a an aspect of the character that both Dini & Grant Morrison in the upcoming Batman & Son arc are both focusing on. Again with the new villain Facade Dini tries to delve into his pysche and as with more established villains such as two face, Joker etc we see a little of Bruce in him too. The Batman Robin dynamic here is good, with Robin's impatience beginning to bother Bruce. I've not read these comics in years so I don't know which Robin this is.
As with all great writers, Dini leaves his audience wanting more. Unfortunately not all of the credit can be given to Dini alone. DC comics included a 4 page Mountain Dew Xgames ad which really pissed me off - talk about invasive. All I could think about when flipping through these pages, is why not let Dini write a bit more? Maybe flesh out Facade or Bruce's investigation a bit more. Batman is supposed to be a great detective, but here he feels less like Sherlock Holmes and more like Sam Spade - meeting the right contact just in time to follow them to the villain's lair.
Despite this, Dini does a credible job with a new villain who joins the ranks of the lesser villains to terrorize Gotham city and the stand alone issue is a nice change from the story arcs we've had since Hush. It will be nice to see what he does with some of the more established characters of Batman's rogues gallery.
If I could end with an allegory, comparing Paul Dini to a gifted piano player, then DC #821 is where he sits at the piano and cracks his knuckles. It's a decent stand alone issue and has me looking forward to the next issue.
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Post by blinker on Aug 2, 2006 18:15:32 GMT -5
DETECTIVE COMICS #822
PLOT:
When Karrie Bishop, a woman that Bruce Wayne saw her last, is murdered. Her case ends up being sloved by a seemly-reformed Riddler. Not even trusting the man who still may or may not his secret behind the mask, Batman decides to solve the murder case even if Riddler tends to stay around.
REVIEW:
Paul Dini must like doing the Batman books as Roxy Rocket, a character he and Timm created for the show, makes her first comic book appearence. While only a cameo appearence, and her looking as the same as the show, her appearence alone gives her the opening for the future in the books.
But on the book itself, it was another good mystery story. I can't but see it as a BTAS episode, of course with some adult elements since this is a comic book (for example: BDSM scene). Dini likes to gives us a detective story and have us, the audience, find out when Batman has pieced everything together. Some people may want a story where we find out everything before Batman does but this is better. This is written nicely.
The Riddler comes here so its not a new villian. It seems that what happened that got him into a coma a year ago has made him forget Bruce is Batman that was told in Batman: Hush. I should also point out that his green mask has been replaced with just sunglasses like I saw him wear in Alex Ross' Justice. I don't know if that was an idea they threw in or its what Riddler will look like until the next change. Either way, I like what he looks like better.
I don't know but it seems Riddler had made alot of "friends" in the BDSM private club as he said he met his henchgirls there. Yes, maybe in THAT way. Batman knows the headmistress by the name Pandora. But no, not in THAT way though.
Overall, as I said above, this was a good mystery storyline by Dini on Batman. Dini said these issues will lead up to something. I wonder what it is.
RATING: 9/10
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Post by Longbowhunter on Aug 4, 2006 21:26:50 GMT -5
I'm glad to see Dini writing for Batman again but this story seemed a little rushed.I think due to DC Comics now being half ad space,its very hard to tell a full story in just one issue.Still,the story was pretty good.The art,however,KILLED it for me.I'm glad some people are digging it,but it was waayyy to minimalist for my tastes.Even the streamlined,Timm-style animated books have more detail than this issue did.Not saying its bad,just not my cup of tea.I'm looking fwd to next issue.
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Post by HUSH on Aug 6, 2006 3:21:35 GMT -5
Another nice Detective story in Detective #822. Like in 821, the mystery was entertaining, and fun to watch Batman solve. It had an interesting take on Riddler, and Batman solving the mystery in a cool way. I have to say, though, I hope these issues are just warm up, because if every issue of Dini's run is like these two(simple Batman-solves-mystery-and-nothing-else plots) it could get boring. I'm sure we'll see some great stuff soon, though. I really want to see Dini explore Batman's character, because I know he can do that wonderfully; he's proven it in everything he's done with Batman before this. I also thought the art was atrocious, but I'd like to point out for anyone who didn't notice, this wasn't the artist from issue 821, J.H. Williams, whose art I enjoyed greatly. I believe Dini mentioned at comic-con that there will be about three issues with fill-in in artists(each one different, I'd assume), and then Williams returns. I just hope this artist doesn't return.  |
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Post by Green Ghost on Sept 2, 2006 10:41:16 GMT -5
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Post by ??The Riddler?? on Sept 2, 2006 10:58:59 GMT -5
[shadow=green,left,300] Looks really good, thanks for the link.  Lol Riddler, I can't wait to get this awesome Ivy issue  [/shadow]
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Post by All Star Batman on Sept 2, 2006 14:12:25 GMT -5
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Post by blinker on Sept 7, 2006 18:29:38 GMT -5
DETECTIVE COMICS #823
SPOILERS INCLUDED
PLOT:
When Poison Ivy's plants act strange and begin attacking her, Batman takes her to the cave and puts her in a tube just in case. But as Robin watches Ivy and Batman goes out to investigate, it becomes clear that the victim in all this isn't Ivy as the twist is revealed.
REVIEW:
Its Poison Ivy's turn to shine by Dini's writing pen. This storyline was actually a fast read. Unlike the other two which were, in my mind, long as the story was complex as a detective storyline, this went by quick. In no way does that suggest its light or not really good, its interesting.
The mystery itself was why the plants were going against Ivy. This is due to Ivy's victims becoming plant-like thus creating a new plant-like villian: Harvest. The new villian is basically alot of roots with heads of Ivy's victims. This causes Ivy to look at his plants, for the first time, with fear. So now this villian is not only an enemy to Ivy but her fear as she is afraid it'll come back and maybe from the plants next to her.
Overall, this was again a fast read. While we get a new development of the character of Ivy and a new villian, and Paul managed to throw in Harley, beyond this that is it. That may sound like this issue turned out to be not as good but again; its not. Still get it.
RATING: 8/10
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Post by Green Ghost on Sept 8, 2006 8:42:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the review blinker! Luckily I get this issue yesterday ;D and since I life in Germany, this is really early I also think that it was a fast read, but a good one! I knew that Dini would handle Ivy well and he did so. It is cool, that he gave her a new villain which is called Harvest (not Tempest, a little mistake blinker  ) And it is a really creepy one and this issue show how less Ivy cares about human life. It is also interesting that her enemie is a plant, she loves and can controll plants and now she is hunted by a plant which she can't control, interesting twist! But I was hopeing that this issue would explaine some OYL questions from the "face the face"-storyline, why Ivy is alive again and as powerfull as Swamp Thing. And in the "Face the Face" storyline she said to Batman that she is back, but now, this issue says, that she was active in OYL and was cought by Harvey Dent... Also the art is really nice! Joe Benitez did some lovely work on Ivy. His Batman looks very cool. Robin looks really young, but he is still drawn very well! Also he draws some nice detailed backgrounds and Harvest has a very creepy look! All in all, a great issue for and Ivy fan like me Story: 10/10 Art: 10/10 Overall: 10/10 |
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Post by Green Ghost on Sept 8, 2006 8:46:01 GMT -5
[shadow=green,left,300] Looks really good, thanks for the link. Lol Riddler, I can't wait to get this awesome Ivy issue [/shadow] This Riddler commercial was a nice extra and I read that Dini has more plans for Nigma. He will return in the November issue of Detective! |
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Post by ??The Riddler?? on Sept 8, 2006 9:57:06 GMT -5
[shadow=green,left,300] Looks really good, thanks for the link. Lol Riddler, I can't wait to get this awesome Ivy issue [/shadow] This Riddler commercial was a nice extra and I read that Dini has more plans for Nigma. He will return in the November issue of Detective! [/shadow] |
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Post by HUSH on Sept 9, 2006 17:29:49 GMT -5
Sigh. Apparently comics shipped on Thursday this past week, and since Wednesday is the day I go to the comic shop, I'll have to get it this Wednesday instead. Anyway, I like what I see in that preview. |
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batkit
Legions Of Gothamite
Posts: 37
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Post by batkit on Sept 11, 2006 18:58:29 GMT -5
OMG this issue was terrific! ;D Benitez blew me away. I don't think I'd seen anything he'd drawn before, and I really wasn't expecting this book to look so good after the last two issues. not that the art in them was bad, but it was nothing compared to this. The way Benitez draws the duo's capes really makes his art stand out. the layouts of the pages are very nice, too. and Robin's pose on the next-to-last page when he and Bats are escaping on a grapnel is cool; it reminds me of McFarlane's Spider-Man poses. My only complaint is that Robin looks like he's 12 years old.  Dini has now intoduced two new villains in only three books. wow. i knew his run would be good.  |
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Lol Riddler, I can't wait to get this awesome Ivy issue 
[/shadow]
) And it is a really creepy one and this issue show how less Ivy cares about human life. It is also interesting that her enemie is a plant, she loves and can controll plants and now she is hunted by a plant which she can't control, interesting twist!