100 Days of Batman Day 12, August 7th. 2016

Detective Comics Issue #872 is a strong follow up to issue #871. In its opening  Batman is following  a new lead on one of the "dealers" auction members. Well it doesn't end well, with the lead accidentally killing himself during a chase. Oracle (Barbara Gorden) manages to recover the information that Batman was after. She even was able to make it look as if the lead did not die. This allows Batman to assume his identity and infiltrate the "mirror house". That is Detective Comics #872 in a nut shell.

This is A MUST READ book. A rating I feel like I have given to more books than have not so far. So either I am easily entertained or I have been picking excellent books to read. Anyways the reason I like this book is definitely the art done by Francesco Francavilla, Jock, as well as the excellent writing of Scott Snyder. Both art and story pair well with each other giving a dark yet fun story. It's no surprise to me that these first couple issues have been nothing less than fantastic with a writer like Scott Snyder. He has given me a reason to look into the Nightwing comics with how he is portraying Dick Greyson as Batman. It's a different feeling having Dick fill in for Bruce and so far I'm loving it. If you have been avoiding this title because it lacks Bruce Wayne stop it and read this book. Also I had no idea this was a Bruce less story before fininishing the first issue in the arc.

100 Days Of Batman Day 11 August 6th. 2016

So I ultimately have decided to move on to Batman:The Black Mirror. The deciding factor was truthfully I was unable to find a copy of Batman and the Mad Monk in a short amount of time. Which leads us to Batman: Black Mirror by Scott Snyder beginning in issue #871 of Detective Comics. In the first issue we learn that Dick Greyson is currently assuming the mantel of the Dark Knight. Bruce Wayne appears to be completely absent from the story working on a mission to establish allies in other parts of the world. This first issue sets up a mystery, which is to be expected in a Batman story. After all he is the worlds greatest detective. From what we know so far there is a man only know as "the dealer" who has been collecting items from super villains and using them to commit brutal murders.

Detective Comics #871 begins strong. The issue contains just the right amount of action for the beginning of a story as well as providing the necessary information you would want in order to become invested. Scott Snyder is a master story teller especially when it comes to the Batman universe. The book is A MUST READ for sure. It has sucked me in and I can not wait to continue reading on to the next issue tomorrow. I am actually super tempted to just read it now but I will hold off. The art is also great making for a dark and disturbing Batman tale. I highly recommend you pick up a copy and read it for yourself. As always I would love to hear your thoughts.

N. S.

Also in order to more efficiently write about the books I am reading I may begin allowing my self to spoil parts of books that are over 5 years in age. If this is something you really would like me to avoid let me know. If it is something you would like let me know that as well. Also thank you to all that are consistently reading. If it wasn't for you few I would likely have given up all ready. But I know being consistent will help bring more readers over time as well as improve my writing skills.

100 Days of Batman, Day 10 August 5th. 2016.

Batman & The Monster Men issue 6 by Matt Wagner is the action packed conclusion to a fun story. Honestly to say anything else will ultimately spoil the ending, at least I can not think of a way to convey what happens in a spoiler free synopsis. After spending ten days reading and writing about comics I've noticed that it becomes increasingly difficulty to talk about later issues without risking spoiling the story. Whether it is just my lack of experience in writing or just a legitimate fact I am not yet sure.

This was a fun read, it had plenty of action and ends the story nicely and in a somewhat unexpected way. Which for those of you have been following along know it was a major concern of mine that the story was going to be just to predicable. Batman & The Monster Men issue 6 is most definitely A MUST READ. For some you may not be thrilled by how it ends but I personally like it.

Now let's talk a little about the story as a whole and my overall rating. This is a fantastic fun Batman tale that is most definitely WORTH YOUR TIME. It does have some issues in the first two books and slows down in issue 5 a little too much for my taste but that does not mean this book is anything less than great. The art is fantastic and the story was super fun once you get into it. I definitely recommend that both new readers and long time fans of Batman should check it out.

I find myself in a dilemma as to what Batman tale I want to read next. I would love to dig into Batman: The Black Mirror. However it has come to my attention that Batman & The Monster men is only the first half of a bigger story called Dark Moon Rising with the second half of the tale entitled Batman and the Mad Monk. This comes as no surprise to me just based on how Batman & The Monster Men ended. I do not know if I want to read on, but at the same time I feel as though I should in order to get the entire story.

100 Days of Batman Day 9. August 4th. 2016

Issue 5 of Batman & The Monster Men by Matt Wagner is an issue with entirely no action. This is slightly disappointing after how much was in the previous issue. It is entirely set up for what will ultimately be the final showdown between Batman and the "monster men". To say anything more about the book will spoil story elements. However I believe I can safely say this is not a damsel in distress story which could not make me happier. Sometimes I love it when I'm wrong and in this case I do.

Now action doesn't necessarily make a comic better than one without but it certainly is fun. Despite there being no action, the book is most definitely A MUST READ. At first I did not think the book deserved "a must read" rating but "worth your time". After thinking it over and letting what the author was going for sink in it made perfect sense that this was a great book and leads up to the finally almost perfectly. Was I disappointed  the book lacked action? Yes. But it sets up the final issue for what I'm sure will be action packed and that has me thrilled. The book does everything right with how it sets up for the final issue. All story threads are neatly brought together and should all be tied up with none being left dangling in the wind. I am super excited to read issue 6 and see just how this story ends. It has turned out to be a pleasant surprise thus far.

N. S.

100 Days of Batman, Day 8, Augusts 3rd. 2016

I have somehow made it through the first 8 days. Well 8 days is not that much of time I was genuinely worried I would have given up in the first 7. My next goal is to make it to day 16. Now on to my thoughts of Batman & The Monster Men issue 4 by Matt Wagner. In this issue Batman comes face to face with the monster men, and they are just that, monster. Not much of a synopsis but trust me when I say that is all you need to know. The book was fun and you should experience it for yourself.

When compared to the previous issues this one is the standout in both action and fun. For those two reasons I rate Batman & The Monster Men  as A MUST READ. That being said it is not a stand alone issue you should definitely read the first 3 issues prior. The book had a lot of action with Batman going toe to toe with the monster men. I should also mention that I think it may go back to a damsel in distress story based on some other plot points that happened inbetween the action so we shall see. Something else happens that I think will be really fun to watch play out over the next 2 issues. I'm really beginning to enjoy this Batman tale. Even though it still has 2 issues remaining and could still end in an expected way it may become a favorite. 

As a bonus let's talk about Batman: The Telltale Series. Episode 1 of 5 which was released on Tuesday and I stayed up late playing so I could avoid any potential spoilers. Before I talk about what I liked and didn't like I just want to tell you it's great. Let's start with the games issues. As with the majority of Telltale's games it suffers from some slight technical issues. Mainly with frame rate and the engine did stutter a couple times throughout the two hours I spent with it. The story also constantly likes to remind us that Bruce Wayne's Parents are dead. Which is not something it needs to do. 

What makes the game great is first and foremost the story. You spend as much time in the game as Bruce Wayne as you do the caped crusader. It was a lot of fun making choices as both. Personally I enjoyed the action based Batman parts the most especially with having the option to make Batman absolutely brutal in the way he deals with criminals or a much more forgiving Batman. The voice acting was also excellent although it will always be difficult for me to hear a voice other than Kevin Conroy as Batman. It is my opinion that this is A MUST PLAY game. So do your self a favor and pick up the first episode. As always comments and opinions are welcome. 

N. S.

100 Days of Batman Day 7. August 2nd. 2016.

It will be a quick post tonight as its late and I just downloaded Telltale's new Batman game. Having just finished issue 3 of Batman & The Monster Men I'm beginning to think I may be wrong about the direction I thought the author was going with the story. I hope it does surprise me and it doesn't end up being that damsel in distress type of story. I can't think of a way to describe this issue without spoiling past issues as well as this one so I'm not going to even try. So I'll move straight into my review.

Batman & The Monster Men issue 3 is definitely WORTH YOUR TIME. Its good especially with it seemingly straying from what I thought was an obvious plot as I mentioned above. I don't think the book as an individual issue will wow readers but when paired the first two it gives a smooth transition into the rest of the tale. It builds up the drama and gives you a good reason to come back for issue 4, other wise you will be left with a cliffhanger. I definitely recommended you check the book out for yourself, just make sure you read the first two issues before this one. And yes I relieve how obvious a tip that is but you never know. Come back tomorrow and read my thoughts on issue 4 as well as a bonus piece about Telltale's Batman game.

N. S.

100 Days of Batman Day 6, August 1st. 2016

It's day six of my adventure with Batman and issue two of Batman & The Monster Men is in the books. In this issue we see a lot of character building in regards to several of Batman's relationships. He is still wanted as a criminal for being a vigilante by the police, but is now trusted by a not yet Commissioner Gorden. Batman's relationship with his girlfriend is shown to be somewhat strained as he is forced to keep the majority of his life secret while also always being late and usually having to leave their dates early. Professor  Strange's motives have yet to really be established but it is clear he is performing genetic experiments on humans. By the end of the issue Batman has a murder mystery to solve with a strange clue that doesn't quite add up.

Having finished Issue Two I'm pleased to say I'm now hooked and looking forward to the next issue. I still wouldn't rate the book as "a must read" but I would rate it as being WORTH YOUR TIME. Nothing super exciting really happens as it is more set up for the story as a whole but it was definitely enjoyable. I still think it is going to follow the "damsel in distress" theme.  But having that as my expectation has allowed me to look at the book more for the journey to how we get there rather than for the final twist and ending. This book also would make an excellent read for someone who has just started learning who Batman is. Also I should mention the art, it is excellent. Will the story continue to get better and better? Come back tomorrow and I'll let you know my thoughts on Batman & The Monster Men, issue three. As always please comment with your thoughts and suggestions.

N. S.