100 Days of Batman, Day 100

Well this is it, the end of the road, the final day of 100 Days of Batman. To bring the 100 days to a close I read the final part of Dark Night: A True Batman Story by Paul Dini and art by Eduardo Risso. As with the first two parts I will in fact be SPOILING this book so if you are planing on reading it for yourself then stop reading now and come back after you have done so.

Paul is ready to throw in the towel and move on to different writing adventures. Feeling abandoned and ashamed he rarely leaves his home out of fear of being mugged again and also the fear that people are silently judging him for not defending himself. That is until one day when he and a friend are out looking through a record store. He happened to be wearing his Warner Bros. coat while there which caught the eye of one of the store clerks. The clerk asked him if he worked at Warner Bros. to which paul replied yes. The man began talking about how great Tiny Toons was which he watched with is wife. Paul had worked on Tiny Toons before moving on to the Batman: The Animated Series. Come to find out this clerk's wife was battling cancer and one of the things that helped her get through it was funny cartoons such as Tiny Toons.

This helped put life in perspective for Paul and the next day he was back at his office working on Batman. He realized that even though a hero may or may not be true or actually exist in the physical world it didn't mean that they were not helping people get through something. Paul would always carry the scars of his mugging both physical and emotional but now understood that just maybe the stories he wrote and would write may be helping someone who just needs to escape from life for a few precious moments.

I love this book it is a MUST READ and was a great way to end the 100 Days of Batman. Reading about one of the creators of a cartoon that would be the foundation for the love I have of Batman was great and surprisingly enjoyable. His personal story has helped to motivate me in my own hobbies and goals in life. He has also taught me that it is ok to escape from the world every once in a while.

This was perhaps one of the most ambitious challenges I have done as far as writing is concerned. Somehow I have written about comics for one hundred days in a row. Not every post was a slam dunk and most of them were only a few paragraphs long, but the important thing is that I did what I set out to do. I am not sure what to do next. I will be taking a few days to figure out where to go from here. I would love to do another 100 days of a comics yet I do have a baby on the way that should be arriving towards the beginning of February and I am not sure I would be able to fully commit to it without missing a day. If any of you have any suggestions I would love to hear them in the comments.  Perhaps I will do a smaller day count. Anyways it was fun and I will be posting again in the next few days with what I plan to do next. Thanks to all of you have been reading. I really appreciate it.

N. S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 99

Time for part two of Dark Night: A True Batman Story by Paul Dini and art by Eduardo Risso. Again I will be SPOILING this book but I highly recommend it so if you have not read it you should before continuing on.

Waking up from a very restless night Paul decides to go to the doctor who upon a examination discovers that Paul was hit in the head so hard that portions of his skull were turned to dust.  Paul was in bad shape both emotionally and physically. He is broken, broken to the point where he no longer believes he should nor is able to write about a hero who is not real and was not there when he needed him most. Paul is recovering and decided to take some time off from work but keeps calling out because he just does not feel confident in who he is any longer. Paul will certainly have to face this new demon that has latched on to him since his mugging.

I really can only say that this book is absolutely a MUST READ.  Just read it and enjoy it. It gives a great look into the mind of writer and also the mind of someone who has experienced a tragic event.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 98

For the final three days of the 100 Days of Batman I wanted to read something special, maybe something a little different. So when I discovered the graphic novel Dark Night: A True Batman Story by Paul Dini and art by Eduardo Risso I knew I had to pick it up. It is a fairly long book so it is perfect to split up over the final three days. I will be SPOILING the book but I think everyone should give it a read for themselves so if you have not read it stop reading this blog and go find a copy to read.

Dark Night: A True Batman Story is not a Batman story in the traditional sense but rather the story of one man's journey through the world of storytelling and the tragic mugging he would fall victim to. Paul Dini was one of those kids that just wants to be invisible and is happiest when he is spending times in the worlds that are contained in the pages of books. He would eventually discover Batman which would lead to his love of creating new and exciting characters and of corse telling his on stories through the gift of writing. Paul would eventually get a job working for Warner Brothers as a writer on the much beloved Batman: The Animated Series. This is when you start to see the cracks in Paul's life. His family has always supported him but he never spends times with them outside of holidays, his dating life on the surface appears to be amazing but in reality it is nothing more than a joke. During everyone of these panels Paul's inner monologue is portrayed as Batman and company.

One night after walking the girl he thought he was dating to her car Paul's life would change forever. He was mugged beaten and robbed for no reason other than he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Having been left for dead Paul manages to make it home and contact the police who do little to nothing to help him and instead make jokes about how he could have used Batman. Feeling broken and alone Paul goes home where he drinks away what happened to him all the while bleeding and feeling like his head was smashed.

I honestly can not do the book justice and really think it is best if you simply read it for yourself. Personally I am loving it. It is interesting to see into the lives of someone who helped shaped my love for Batman. Batman: The Animated Series is where my love for Batman began and is still one of my absolute favorites. This book so far has been a great way to finish of my 100 Days of Batman. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book so far it is a MUST READ.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 97

Well I have just powered through Parts 3-7 of Rise of the Batman by James Tynion IV and art by Eddy Barrows. Thankfully the story did eventually get better and ends on a interesting note. I will likely be SPOILING the story so if its one you want to read for yourself then stop reading now.

Batman having been captured by the "Batmen" who we now know are part of a secret military organization called the Colony who have modeled their fighting tactics after Batman, manages to escape. Around the same time Batwoman, Red Robin and the rest of the team manage to infiltrate the colony's base to help Batman escape. Col. Kane tries to worn Batman that the League of Shadows are in Gotham and that he and his team are their to stop them and eliminate the threat they pose. Batman of course does not believe him stating that the League of Shadows is nothing more than a myth that was feared by Ra's Al Ghul and the League of Assassins.

Batman and crew manage to escape but not before Red Robin discovers the plans of the Colony. Believing their to be multiple League of Shadow agents in Gotham the colony planed to dispatch drones to kill those them. Now under the threat of being exposed by Batman Col. Kane gives the order to eliminate those people believed to be agents of the League of Shadow. It is a list of over 600 people. Returning to Wayne Tower Red Robin manages to hack into the drone protocols and change their targets to a single victim, himself. With the rest of the team trying to save the victims Red Robin just did he finds himself alone without back up to fight hundreds of killer drones.

Unable to get to him in time Red Robin is ultimately killed. With the death of their target the drones shut themselves down. The team is left to mourn and honor the sacrifice of Tim Drake aka Red Robin. Something strange is going on however as Tim wakes up in a strange cell. He is visited by a strange man in a robe who is evasive of Tim's questions. A much larger mystery and a bigger threat is likely on the way. How long before Batman and the rest of the team Tim is still alive and the captive of a strange man?

So their it is. A very action packed and enjoyable ending to a story that was very dull at the beginning. Having the focused switched from a character that I found to be annoying to a character I like of course helped. If I had my way Batwoman would be removed from the Detective Comics run. In the end Rise of the Batmen ended up being WORTH YOUR TIME.

N. S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 96

Well then. Chances are this will be a short post because I'm not really enjoying what I'm reading. Oh and chances are I will SPOIL this book. Rise of the Batmen Part 3: Army of Shadows by James Tynion and art by Alvaro Martinez sets th stage for Batwoman to take command of the team Batman gathered in the first two issues of the story arc. Batman has been defeated by the Batmen and is now missing. Batwoman assembles the team to go after them and find Bruce. She however brings her father, Col. Kane in as an advisor. Guess what he's the one running the bad guys. The team barely makes it out without being captured.

Ok so my biggest issue with this book is Batwoman. I've never really read anything with her before and I'm finding I do not like her and that she annoys me. I can't figure out why she does but I'm sure I will eventually. The rest of the cast is good and fun. Red Robin is especially well written. Sadly Batman did not make a signal appearance in the book and has essentially become the books "damsel" in distress which is fine. Because Batwoman annoys me so much this book is still only COMPELLING. Tomorrow I may just power through the remaining issues and move on to something else for the last couple days.

N.S.

100 Days of Comics, Day 95

Well on to Rise of the Batmen, Part 2: Apocalypse Now by James Tynion IV and art by Eddy Barrows. SPOILERS may come up in this post although maybe not. It does not seem to really go anywhere as it predecessor did. So Batwoman has begun her training of the heroes her and Batman have assembled to help fight this army of "Batmen". She however appears to be pushing them far to hard so Red Robin decides to put an end to it. He then goes and spend some time with Batman before heading in for the evening to spend time with his girlfriend Spoiler. Batman well patrolling the streets is attacked by the "Batmen" and that is where the book ends.

First thing is first. For some reason Batwoman rubs me the wrong way. I do not like her but I can not place my finger on why. Now the rest of the book was ok but again nothing really happened and it was overall a fairly dull book. The most interesting part was the cliffhanger with Batman about to face off against 50 or so "Batmen" I really hope the story picks up in the next issue. Part 2 however is simply COMPELLING. I really want to end the 100 Days of Batman on a great set of books so I will be disappointed if this one does not get better.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 94

So I have been hearing good things about the Detective Comics comic book so I picked up Rise of the Batmen Part 1: The Young and the Brave by James Tynion IV and art by Eddy Barrows. Azrael is being hunted by what appears to be a group of people dressing themselves as Batman. Knowing that he will not be able to face this group alone Batman begins recruiting the younger generation of vigilantes in Gotham and placing them under the command of Batwoman.

I was going to spoil this comic but honestly not a lot happened in this first issue. It was simply Batman and Batwoman recruiting a team of heroes to face this group of Batmen. I think the book shows a lot of promise and I am excited to read part two but part one was only COMPELLING. Ive heard good things about the story overall so I am confident it will get better. Sorry for the short post today but I just do not have much to say about this Issue.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 93

I am Gotham: Epilogue by Tom King and art by Ivan Reis is the somewhat lackluster conclusion to the story of Gotham and Gotham Girl. I will be SPOILING this issue so if you do not want it spoiled do not read on any further.

In the wake of her brother's death Gotham Girl has basically gone crazy. Shaving herself nearly bald, which I absolutely hate and think looks terrible, she heads back out into Gotham to perform heroic deeds. The entire time she is doing these heroics she is talking to her deceased brother almost repeating the same conversation over and over every night. Batman knows she is hurting from Gotham's death but she is also using up months of her life by using her powers, if not years. So he heads out to stop her. In order to bring her back into reality Batman reveals to her that he is Bruce Wayne and tell her the story of his own parents deaths and how it made and still makes him feel.

This was a really meh story. It did not really need to be in the story at all and does not add anything to it. At best I would say I am Gotham: Epilogue is COMPELLING. Your not missing anything if you stop with part five but it also will not hurt the story. It was just meh.

N. S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 92

With there only being nine days remaining with my 100 days of Batman I will likely try to stick to single issues from the most recent Batman comics. I don't want to start a epic arc and not be able to finish before the end of day 100. So for the next couple of days I will be finishing up the I Am Gotham story arc written by Tom King and art by David Finch. Tonights reading is Part Five of that story. I will be SPOILING  this issue so if you do not want is spoiled then do not continue reading on.

Gotham is on a rampage to destroy the city believing it is the only way to save it. Batman knows he will not be able to stop Gotham on his own so he does something that he has never done before. He calls the justice league to Gotham in order to help save it from a man who once wanted to do the very same thing. The justice league however is no match for Gotham and the situation looks bleak for Batman and his allies.

Gotham Girl still recovering from the fear that she has essentially been infected with tells Duke the source of her and her brothers power. It comes from their very life force. Depending on how much power they need they literally drain years of their lives away. She states that if they give themselves enough power to be like Superman for two years or could be a god for a few minutes. Gotham of course is using so much power it is unlikely he will live for much longer. Gotham Girl want to save her brother rushes to the fight just in time to prevent him from killing Batman but it is to late for her brother who dies in her arms.

That is how the book ends. I liked the idea of the source of Gotham and Gotham Girl's power came from. It was not something for free. It required them to sacrifice a great deal in order to use it. I did not expect Gotham to die when I began this story so it was a interesting twist that benefited the story. While not a home run Batman: I Am Gotham, Part Five is well WORTH YOUR TIME.

N. S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 91

Well it is part three and the final portion of the Batman: Crimson Mist story arc by Doug Moench and are by Kelley Jones. I must say it is kind of bitter sweet as I have been enjoying it so much. With Batman's attack on Arkham Asylum was the last atrocity that Gordon was able to let slide. Knowing it is only a matter of time before Batman runs out of criminals to feed on Gordon decides to combine forces with Harvey Dent.

Having joined forces Gordon, Alfred, and Two-Face enter Batman's lair armed with wooden crossbow bolts and explosives lining the roof as to let in the sun they sit and wait for their prey. Who however is truly the prey, Batman or those who seek to destroy him? Batman of course was aware of their intentions and sprung the trap killing many of Gordon's cops and Two-Faces gang. Gordon manages however to shoot Batman in the back with a wooden bolt sending him into the chasm below. Believing Batman to be dead Two-Face decides to betray Gordon and Alfred.

While fleeing Killer Croc alfred stumbles upon Batman who is severally weekend but still alive and moving as the bolt only grazed his blackened heart. Wanting his former friend to save Gordon from death at the hands of Two-Face and Killer Croc Alfred gives his life so that Batman may have the strength to save Gordon. Having drained Alfred's blood Batman kills the remaining gang members, Killer Croc and Two-Face. Knowing he does not poses the strength to let Gordon leave alive he forces his hand into destroying the caves roof allowing in the daylight sun. Gordon is unable to escape being crushed in the collapsing cave but does allow the sun in destroying the monster that Batman had become.

Well that was an excellent take on Batman. Absolutely a MUST READ. I highly recommend the entire trilogy of Batman and Dracula. It is super fun and has made its way into my list of top Batman stories of all time. If you have not read it you should.

N. S. 

100 Days of Batman, Day 90

Continuing on with Batman: Crimson Mist by Doug Moench and art by Kelley Jones we see the Dark Knight rapidly becoming more and more of a monster. He is killing the criminals of Gotham without a second thought. With each night becoming more and more brutal and blood thirsty. How long until Batman turns on the innocent of Gotham? How long until he truly becomes completely evil.

Having realized their mistake in bringing Batman back Alfred and Gordon begin discussing how they are going to stop him. Also at the same time the remaining criminals of Gotham have come to realize that the Batman can not be stopped without the gangs and the police forming an alliance to kill him. Gordon however is not prepared to side with criminals so he and Alfred set out to find the Batman's lair and drive a stake through his heart.

Even Batman understands that he has become a terrible creature but does not seem to care any longer. If it were not for the man he once was I imagine he would have all ready began killing and feasting on the blood of the innocent and not just the degenerate criminals. His blood lust is so great he went into Arkham Asylum and fed on all the inmates their leaving none of them alive. The once heroic man that was Bruce Wayne has truly fallen to a dark path.

It is honestly kind of sad watching a character like Batman fall to a terrible evil, but it is also extremely great storytelling. A part of you feels sorry for the these criminals that are being so brutally killed, even more so you cant but wish for Batman to find some form of redemption. A redemption that may no longer be a possibility. Moench continues to write a MUST READ book.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 89

It is most definitely time for some more vampire Batman awesomess and that is why I read part one of Batman: Crimson Mist by Doug Moench and art by Kelley Jones. It is the last story arc in the Batman and Dracula trilogy. I am honestly a little sad that it will be ending for me in the next couple of days it has been such a fun and entertaining read. I can not recommend it enough.

It has been some time since Batman had a oak stake driven through his heart. Which has placed him in a awful state of limbo where he still feels the thirst but will never leave his tomb. If Gordon and Alfred had removed his head he would likely be at peace but now he knows only torment and anguish. If I had to guess it has been six months to a year since the stake was driven through his heart and in that time Gotham has fallen into chaos.

The great criminals of the Batman universe have began springing up. Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Two-Face, and the Penguin are all running amuck and the police are struggling to contain their unique forms of crime. Believing that Batman is the cities only hope and that his "good heart" will keep him from becoming a complete monster Alfred removes the stake from his friends heart. Batman's corpse jumps back to life horrified that his friends did not remove his head as per his final wishes.

Alfred informs Batman at what has been happening in his city. Luckily for Alfred Batman cares enough for him that he does not take his life, instead he rushes out to find the criminals that have come to his city. Finding the Penguin first Batman quickly dispatches him and his gang leaving one alive so he can glean information to where the rest of Penguin's gang is at so he can suck their blood then remove their heads as well. Wanting a quick death the man tells Batman of their location. Soon after Batman shows up with the decapitated heads of the Penguin and his gang and immediately kill the rest.

I think it is safe to say that Batman is no longer the man he once was having fallen to his blood lust. Well he is currently only feeding on criminals how long will that las for? Part one of Batman: Crimson Mist is a MUST READ. Watching Batman become the very evil he sought to end is a great take on the Caped Crusader.

N. S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 88

Batman: Bloodstorm by Doug Moench and art by Kelley Jones part two and three is the great conclusion to the Bloodstorm story arc. Selina Kyle is being stalked by a werewolf. This creature has every intention of making her his next meal and nearly does. Selina however is able to escape by jumping into the river. She however is infected and becomes a werecat. Yeah I know its kind of lame but what do expect Selina Kyle aka Catwoman to turn into if bitten by a werewolf. It is probably the only real issue that I have with the plot. Other than that her inclusion into the story was good.

Batman suffering from the thirst for blood begins searching for a way to fight it if not cure it. He goes to a woman who tells Batman that the thirst in  legend can be stopped from spending time with a woman that cares for you and that the vampire also cares for. Of course Batman and Selina eventually find each other and are able to help each other through there curses. Fighting the Vampires now under the leadership of the Joker Batman and Selina begin falling in love we each other and becoming a great team.

Sadly their love was not to last. During an assault on the last fifteen vampires in Gotham and successfully destroying them Selina is killed by the Joker. Batman in a rage kills the Joker sucking his blood away and breaking his vow to never drink blood. The Joker of course laughing at Batman's failure until he finally died. Batman heartbroken that his lover is dead and he broke his vow asks that his friends Gordon and Alfred to kill the last vampire in Gotham, himself. Respecting his wishes Gordon and Alfred end the caped crusaders curse with a stake to his undead heart.

Wow that was a super fun book and a really enjoyable take on the Dark Knight. Most definitely a MUST READ book for any and all comic lovers. I have one more arc in the Vampire Batman arc and I am super excited to read it, especially since Batman should be dead at this point. Hmmm I wonder how the author will explain that?

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 87

Batman: Bloodstorm Part One by Doug Moench and art by Kelley Jones takes place just a few weeks after the events of Batman and Dracula. Batman and Tanya did not manage to kill of all of Dracula's nests. At least one managed to survive and is still feeding and converting more of Gotham's citizens to their dark cause. Without a leader however they are merely trying to survive and avoid Batman who is one of them now, but uses his curse to find and destroy them. Knowing this group of undead needs a leader the joker decides to take over convincing them that he can help them defeat the Batman and fulfill their dark desires.

Batman was given a elixir from Tanya that was and is supposed to take the place of his need to drink blood. However it is slowly losing its potency and he is beginning to struggle. Batman's biggest challenge now is to resist the bloodlust that is taking hold of him and find a way to make the elixir stronger or he will likely fall to the evil ways of a vampire.

What a fun read. Defiantly well WORTH YOUR TIME. It is different from almost any other Batman story I have read and I am totally digging it. Watching Batman evolve into a "monster" and not just a man pretending to be one is fascinating. If you have not read this series I highly recommend it.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 86

Part 3 of Batman & Dracula: Red Rain by Doug Moench and art by Kelley Jones is great. Absolutely WORTH YOUR TIME. Dracula has taken Commissioner Gordon as bait to lure Batman to him. At the same time however Batman and Tanya have put into action a plan of their own that will destroy the vampires Dracula has created in Gotham. Luring the vampires to the Batcave they trigger an explosion trapping them inside so that Tanya and her allies can begin destroying them. As a final act in destroying the vampires Batman destroys Wayne Manor allowing sunlight in to kill any surviving vampires this however also results in the death of Tanya.

With the vampires now dead Batman prepares to go after and kill Dracula as well as save Gordon. It is then revealed that Tanya had given Batman the gift of batwings and super strength that will allow him to fly and hopefully defeat Dracula. During the final face of Batman ultimately is able to kill Dracula upon a rotten oak tree but is bitten in the process resulting in blood loss that led to his death. Bruce Wayne is dead and buried but it is revealed he comes back as a vampire himself. Bruce Wayne is dead but Batman will live forever is how the book ends.

It was a book full of lots of fun. Anyone who likes to see different takes on the heroes they love should give this story a read. Those of you who have read it all ready I would love to hear your thoughts.

N. S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 85

Batman and Dracula: Red Rain Part Two by Doug Moench and art by Kelly Jones continues to be just as jun and as enjoyable. It is most defiantly WORTH YOUR TIME. In it we find out the the mysterious woman that has been appearing in Batman's room as he slept is in fact real and not a hallucination. Her name is Tanya and she was once one of Dracula's brides, she however broke his spell and now seeks to free others to help her kill Dracula. Believing that Batman would be able to help and in fact defeat Dracula she had started visiting him as he slept. Batman of course was ready to help but something is wrong and it appears he may be transforming into a terrible vampire creature himself. Im enjoying this strange twist on Batman and would love to hear the thoughts of those of you who have read it as well.

N. S.    

100 Days of Batman, Day 84.

Batman and Dracula: Red Rain Part One written by Doug Moench and art by Kelley Jones tells the what if story of Dracula coming to Gotham. Dracula has arrived in the city of Gotham a city that belongs to Batman. The Dark Knight knows that this new killer is unique but is still not aware of his dark secret or his sinister plot.

I like this book it is very different from many of the Batman stories I have been reading. It contains a horror element that I can not properly nor do I know how to explain. It just fits with Batman. Perhaps it is because Batman is sort of a vampire in his own way. No he does not suck blood or kill, but he does take on the persona of a giant bat which he uses to strike fear into the criminals of Gotham. Dracula of course is the classical regal archetype that he appears as in so many forms of media. I am not sure what his ultimate goal is but he has been slowly transforming the homeless of Gotham into vampires.

The stranger portion of the book is the instances of when Bruce Wayne is visited  by a mysterious woman while he sleeps. A woman who appears as a cloud of mist and then vanishes right before he wakes. One day after waking from what he believed to be a dream Bruce suddenly has inhuman strength. Now my first thought was this woman had bitten him, but he had no marks from being bit. So instead I think it is much more likely he become infected during a brawl with one of Dracula's infected the previous night. Anyways he now knows there are vampires in Gotham and he sets out to find their layer.  Finding that layer in the graveyard outside of the city Batman becomes trapped surrounded by vampires he would love to suck his blood. I am super excited to see how he gets himself out of this situation in Part Two. 

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 83

So the last two issues of the Barman and Robin Must Die!, Part Three: The Knight  Death and Devil and Black Mass, do a fair job of finishing the story arc. I have to be honest the words are not flowing tonight so this may be rough so pleas bear with me. Anyways both issues were much improved over Part Two. I would rate them both as WORTH YOUR TIME.

We find out that the villain, El Penitente and the head of the Black Glove, is Doctor Hurt, a man who was once taken in by the Wayne family. I am sure that there is a ton of backstory to him however I am unaware of it. Perhaps I will find out what story arc it is in and check it out. Besides that we have the return of Bruce Wayne. He was brought back in a interesting way. The black glove was attempting to call forth the Barbatos, a giant bat-like creature whom he worships, but instead he calls back Bruce Wayne from is trip through the past. It was not the most logical way to bring him back but thinking back on it I do not think I could have thought of a more logical way either, but it does feel like it could have been better.

My favorite part is that the Joker having accepted that "his Batman" was gone was going to start crime fighting. In fact he was the one who kept The Black Glove from escaping. Granted he did bury him alive. Now he would have made a deranged crime fighter who would have likely killed the criminals he went after but it would have been a really interesting mini series to watch happen. Is it the best story I have ever read? No. Could the return of Bruce Wayne been done a bit better? Probably, I think so at least. It was an enjoyable read but I am glad to be moving on. Vampire Batman here I come.

N.S.

100 Day's of Batman, Day 82

Batman and Robin Must Die! Part Two: The Triumph of Death by Gran Morrison and art by Frazer Irving has started to lose my attention. I love action its fun but sometimes it is not all you want to see in a book. I would say that probably 90% of this book was indeed action. The only real exception to the action was the dialogue between the Joker and Robin. Oh and I should have seen it coming. Joker was playing Robin the entire time. So now the Joker has Robin managing to infect him with a mild Joker toxin which allowed him to escape. Now Joker is manipulating Batman into doing things his way. He wants to take control and wants the Black Glove. The Black Glove is essentially a large criminal organization of rich men and woman.

Well thats it, Batman and Robin Must Die! Part Two: The Triumph of Death COMPELLING and enjoyable be it has not wowed me nor has it given me a desire to read on. Considering that the arc only has a single part remanning I will finish it. Unless Morrison pulls another hook at the end of tomorrows book I will likely move on from his Batman and Robin run. I have been wanting a read that one story where Batman becomes a vampire. It sounds interesting. We will give Morrison his las shot before I make my final decision however. Sorry for the short post tonight but when a comics is almost all action it is hard for me to find more than a few words.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 81

Well I'm continuing on with Grant Morrison's Batman and Robin run. His Joker reveal at the end of Vol. 2 just makes me want to keep going with it. Batman and Robin Must Die! Part One: The Garden of Death from what I can tell is the beginning of the story that Morrison has been leading up to since issue one. El Penitente has arrived in Gotham. Which creates a serious issue for Batman especially since Bruce Wayne's greatest foe is back and it is impossible to know what the Clown Prince of Crime has in store for the city.

I am a little disappointed with this first issue. It feels as if something big is about to take place but for some reason it just did not resonate with me. Pyg is broken out of prison by El Penitente, apparently they have been working together, ok I guess. And apparently they have been forging a drug that that causes you to "catch addictions". I don't understand what that even means, am I the only one? Does it even make any sense? Ok whatever I guess I will give it a pass for now, but Morrison needs to clarify what he means, if not Morrison someone should because it has flown over my head, granted it is pretty late right now.

The best part of the book would have to be the interaction between Damian Wayne and the Joker. It is the first meeting between the two and things are not going well. Im not sure why but Damian decides to attack the Joker with a crowbar the first chance he gets. Batman happens to be away at the time and hears about Joker wanting to speak with Robin. Batman immediately knows this is a bad situation and fully expects Damian to possibly kill the Joker given the chance. Im going to reread this issue tomorrow before reading part two. I just feel like I am missing something. Im hoping if I take a look at it with fresh eyes in the morning the story and plot will click. Batman and Robin Must Die! Part One: The Garden of Death by Grant Morrison and art by Frazer Irving is COMPELLING.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 80

This post will include SPOILERS for All-Star Batman, Issue 3: My Own Worst Enemy and more than likely Issue 1 and 2.  You have been warned. Read on at your own risk.

All-Star Batman, Issue 3: My Own Worst Enemy is written by Scott Snyder and art by John Romita Jr. Batman's epic journey to try and free Harvey Dent from the duel personality, Two-Face that controls him. Battered and bloody fro\m all the villains trying to cash in on Two-Faces offer Batman has more than his fair share of work cut out for him. He does not have far to go now, but will he make it?

Batman has been beaten to a bloody pulp and it is remarkable to me that he is capable of breathing let alone continuing to fight. In fact if it was not for his new sidekick, Duke, I doubt he would still be breathing. Duke however arrived just in time to save both Batman and Two-Face from what would likely have been their deaths. Arriving at one of Bruce's hideouts himself and Harvey are patched up enough to continue on.

The most interesting and perhaps important portion of the issue is Bruce's reveal that he has know Harvey since they were children. When Bruce was still very young and shortly after his parents death alls he felt was anger and the need for revenge. Revenge in the form of killing the man responsible for his family's death. Alfred of course fearing for his young ward sent him away to a house or home for troubled youths. It is their he met Harvey. Bruce believe's his meeting with Harvey at that young age changed the course of who he would become as the Batman. Rather than being a man who does not kill he could have become a Batman that had no issue with taking the life of those he felt deserved it. He feels he owes Harvey and that is why he is so hell bent on taking him back to the place they first met where he intends to give him an antidote that he hopes will suppress the Two-Face persona permanently.

I enjoyed this issue solely for the backstory and the motivation that Snyder has given Batman. It is fun it is interesting and it builds on the mythos of Batman in what I believe is a positive way. So it is for those reasons I believe All-Star Batman, Issue 3: My Own Worst Enemy is a MUST READ for any Batman fan that wants to see his background built upon.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 79

All right so today is the day that I am going to attempt to implement some simple writing changes that will hopefully improve on the blog. It may take some time and trial and error but I that is ultimately what one of the primary goals of this blog is. The biggest change is I am going to do my best to no longer attempt to tiptoe around spoiling a story arc. Anything over two years old from now on I may spoil without warning. If i read a more recent book I will do my best to not spoil the story but if spoiling it will help with my writing I will of course warn you that the post will include spoilers. So lets get to it and of course constructive criticism is always welcome, it helps keep your writing sharp. Oh and I am writing much earlier in the day so we will see how that effects my writing.

It is the final issue to the Batman Vs. Robin story arc. Batman Vs. Robin Part Three: Mexican Train written by Grant Morrison and art by Andy Clarke is the culmination in the mystery of what happened to Bruce Wayne and also the final fight between Batman and Robin. Dick Greyson has found the "key" to finding Batman, but has been attacked by Robin who is being controlled by Deathstroke.

Grant Morrison has an amazing way of making me want to read more and more even when story arc wraps up but he manages to through a little hook in the very end that gets me. This is even more amazing to me because he is not my favorite writer nor has his Batman and Robin run been my favorite. This time he really has hooked me to. Revealing that Oberon Sexton aka "The Gravedigger" is in fact the Joker was truly a twist I did not see coming. My hat is off to you Morrison. I was planning on moving on to a different writer when I finished Batman and Robin Part Three but now I have to see where this next tale will go.

The rest of the issue did not grip me nearly the same way as the Joker reveal. I liked it well enough but it was not clear as to what exactly Batman discovered about Bruce Wayne's location. I am ultimately left confused and I felt it was so vague that I must have missed it in between the subplots of the gravedigger and Robin being controlled by Deathstroke and his mother Talia Al Ghul. Lets talk about that for a moment. I do not remember if I talked about how Robin was seriously injured by a gun shot wound early in the Batman and Robin run or not. He was his spine was severely damaged and Talia had him brought home so that the surgeons could repair the damage. As they were performing the surgery she had a device implanted in her son that would allow another to take control of his body as if he was a puppet. A terrible thing to do to your own son. I was always under the impression she deeply cared for Damian but after this its clear is nothing more than a tool to her.

Overall I have to say the book is WORTH YOUR TIME. It does falter in its plot point about the return of Bruce Wayne and I just realized I have no idea why the subtitle is Mexican Train. Anyways it was a good book that ultimately had a few flaws that keep it from being amazing. Well that is that. I did my best to not freak out about spoiling the book I believe I conveyed the pros and cons of the book, but let me know. I need the feedback. And defiantly let me know what your thoughts the book are. I would love to hear them. 

N.S. 

100 Days of Batman, Day 78

All right so it is currently 12:18am. and I am tired so this will most likely be a short post. Having said that I also had a conversation with a couple of friends who made some suggestions on how to improve the blog as a whole. I think what they suggested I will start implementing tomorrow. If it was not so late I would try to start tonight, but I am an old man and am usually in bed sleeping at this point. One of the biggest enemies to this blog is most definitely the fact it is often written late at night. That is something else I am going to try and change.

All right now that that is out of the way lets talk very briefly about Batman Vs. Robin Part Two: Boneyard by Grant Morrison and art by Andy Clarke. Ok I am struggling to write so despite having a strong first issue Batman Vs. Robin Part Two begins to falter and for that reason the book is WORTH YOUR TIME instead of the a must read that part one was. I think the best part of the book is the reveal that after Damian's spine had been damaged his mother had it replaced with one that now allows her to control his body movement. Hence why he has been trying to kill Batman and also where the story gets it namesake. Oh and also Talia al Ghul is letting Deathstroke control Damian. It is very interesting despite it falls a little short after the strong beginning with issue one.

All right so tomorrow I am going to try and implement a few new things to hopefully improve the blog. Right now however I am tired so off to bed it is.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 77

Well now that it has been revealed that Bruce Wayne is likely still alive the entire plot seems to be focused around finding him. That is exactly what Batman Vs. Robin Part One: The Haunting of Wayne Manor by Grant Morrison and art by Andy Clarke does. Bruce Wayne is likely alive, having been teleported into the past and is flashing through it. Ever loyal Alfred begins noticing strange clues around the manor that he believes have been left by Bruce as he progress through the times.

So the book is good and I have to say it is A MUST READ. Even though it is still early into the Batman Vs. Robin comic run it is a fun story. It gets back into some good old fashioned detective work but what is Bruce Wayne trying to tell Dick and Damien? I suppose we will find our in the next few issues. The subplot and where the book gets it title from is also fun and exciting. Damian is literally being used by his mother to try and kill Dick Greyson. She wants him to take his place by her side so she can mold him into the conquer of the world. Again I definitely believe that Batman Vs. Robin Part One is a must read. It may be setting up to bring Bruce Wayne back a little early but the writing and art is done so well I can forgive that one thing.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 76

I have a headache so this post may or may not be brief as the light from the computer screen is hurting my eyes. Blackest Knight Part Three: Broken by Grant Morrison and art by Cameron Stewart is the conclusion to the Blackest Knight story arc. Batwoman is dead and the evil Batman clone has returned to Gotham where he runs into a recovering Robin. What could possibly go wrong? Well possibly a lot.

Lets just jump in. Blackest Knight Part Three: Broken is WORTH YOUR TIME. Unlike the first two parts it does not feel like its missing any panels and ties the story up in a smooth fun fashion. I loved that by the end of the book you now know that Bruce Wayne is not actually dead. It defiantly sets up for a fun exciting adventure to find him. Only thing I question is why reveal this so early in the series? Oh well it was a good story and that is all that matters.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 75

Aaaahhhhh it is nice to be typing on a computer after using the cellphone last night. Anyhoo lets talk a little bit about Batman Blackest Knight Part Two: Batman Vs. Batman by Grant Morrison and art by Cameron Stewart. Bruce Wayne, the original Batman, has been dropped into the Lazarus Pit. Will it restore Bruce to the man he was before death or will it leave him in an utter state of madness?

All right lets mention the bad before we talk about anything else. Well it suffers from the same issues that Blackest Knight Part One suffered from. It feels like it is missing panels. It also starts in a flashback explaining why Batwoman was even at the Lazarus pit in the first place. Sadly it felt forced and awkward. Almost as if I should have read a Batwoman book that explained why she was there. In fact that would have probably been less confusing. So that is what I didn't like.

As for what I did like. The story is excellent, and the artwork is enjoyable. Watching Dick try to bring back his friend is truly heartbreaking. But the best part is finding out that the body that was placed into the pit was not even Bruce Wayne but rather a clone, a clone who I can only assume was used to trick people into thinking Bruce was truly dead. Now however instead of the Dark Knight a crazed clone is on the loose and must be stopped. What a fun book. Batman Blackest Knight Part Two: Batman Vs. Batman is most defiantly WORTH YOUR TIME.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 74

Ok so sorry for the short post but I'm writing this on my phone which sucks. As I mentioned in the previous post Gran Morrison has me intrigued with the direction his Batman and Rubin comic s heading so I picked up Boackest Knight Part One: Pearly and the Pit with art by Cameron Stewart.

Let's get right into it shall we. The book is WORTH YOUR TIME.  I like the direction it's going Dick wants to bring back Bruce Wayne from the dead so he has gone on a search for a Lazerous pit. For those of you who don't know it is a mystical pool with life restoring magic. Robin has been taken away by his mother Talia Al'Ghul to have his spine restored after the run in with the Flamingo. I love the plot of this arc and look forward to continuing on with it. I will say the comic seemed to missing several panels or could at least have benefited from having a few more. That is really my only complaint and is what keeps the book from being a must read.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 73

It is funny how you can not really enjoy one issue for its lack of mystery while the following one will have you so intrigued you want to run out and pick up the next volume just to see what is going to happen next. That is exactly how I feel about Revenge of the Red Hood Part Three: Flamingo is Here by Grant Morrison and art by Philip Tan. There are certain clichés you come to expect with comic book superheroes, things that you know are going to happen. In this case that clichés happened to be that Batman and Robin were obviously going to escape from the captivity of the Red Hood. That was the only real gripe I could find with this issue, but it is an expected issue I have come to expect in comics. Now the book really delivers at the end of the story and I think that is its saving grace. Because of how it ends I absolutely must know what happens in the next volume, and thats a good thing. Despite not being the best plot I have ready Morrison did make me want to come  back for more and the is why Revenge of the Red Hood Part Three: Flamingo is Here is WORTH YOUR TIME.

N.S. 

100 Days of Batman, Day 72

This post includes Spoilers. You have been warned.

Revenge of the Red Hood Part Two: Scarlet by Grant Morrison and art by Phillip Tan delves deeper into what the Red Hood aka Jason Todd is up to. After a fairly successful attack on a meeting of criminals Red Hood and his sidekick Scarlett reveal themselves to Gotham, as it’s new heroes. Red Hood’s brand of justice however has caught the ire of a crime lord from Mexico who has sent the Flamingo to protect his interests in Gotham.

The story is ok in Part Two: Scarlet but it is not phenomenal. The story goes as such: Batman and Robin rush to stop Red Hood and Scarlet from killing one of the survivors from their previous massacre.  Batman and Robin fail and are thus captured. At the same time The Flamingo arrives in Gotham in a plane full of dead woman who he skinned and ate the faces from. Oh and he shoots Red Hood in the head. So that is the story.  Where is the mystery to be solved? Batman is a detective and thus their should be some sort of mystery but it is not here. Revenge of the Red Hood Part Two: Scarlet has potential and is COMPELLING but does not quite deliver. 

N.S.