100 Days of Batman Day 19. August 14th. 2016

In tonight's issue of Detective Comics questions are answered and mysteries are solved. Batman finds the one responsible for the Killer Whale mystery but is ultimately left in a dangerous situation. Having exscaped what looked to be a watery grave Dick Greyson meets with James Gordon at his fathers request, but will he see a troubled young man or a killer behind those eyes?

Detective Comics #878 finally answers a question I have had since James Gordon, Commissioner Gordon's son, was introduced into this story. I was pretty confident in what the answer was going to be yet it is nice knowing the answer. Don't worry I won't spoil the answer but I wouldn't be surprised if you already know it. All that being said I have to say this is A MUST READ issue. It answers that big question as well as gives answers to the Killer Whale mystery. This issue has hands down been the absolutely creepiest I have read thus far. Do yourself a favor and read Batman: Black Mirror it is so good.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman Say 18, August 13th 2016

In Detective Comics #877 we see Batman continuing his investigation into the Killer Whale in a bank  lobby mystery. He has tracked down the one lead he has but ultimattly receives no clues where to go next. However that all changes when the CEO of the bank comes forward with information to help Batman.

I am going to have to give Detective Comics #877 a WORTH YOUR TIME rating. It's good but doesn't have the same impact as previous issues had. Also there is a scene where batman is under water in a diving suit but is still wearing a cape. This I found to be dumb. In my opinion not even Batman would waste time wearing a cape underwater on purpose. But that is just a minor gripe with an otherwise excellently depicted issue. The story is continuing to progress at a good pace and I am looking forward to the next issue.

N.S.

100 Days of Batman Day 17, Auogust 12th. 2016.

This night we continue on with Detective Comics #876 of the Batman: Black Mirror story.  In this issue we see the story switch back from Comissionor Gordon to Batman. A dead Killer Whale has somehow found its way into the lobby of one of Gothams banks. Gordon has the whales corpse brought to the lab at Wayne Enterprises for examination and also ask Dick Greyson to meet with his son. He needs the opinion of someone who is not emotionally involved.

The comic was a little slow but also creepy and good. It is certainly WORTH YOUR TIME. Don't go into it expecting anything super exciting and keep in mind it is very much an issue used to transition back to Batman. It's strongest point is  with the mystery it provides about the whale which keeps you interested enough to not feel bored. It also is leading into what I think will be a much more action oriented next issue,  as well as answering some questions I have based on how it ended. Is it as good as the previous issues in the arc? No. But it is still well worth your time to read.

N. S.

100 Days of Batman Day 16, August 11th. 2016

Today I am picking back up with the Batman: Black Mirror story arc in issue #875 of Detective Comics. In this issue we see Commissioner Gordon looking to solve an old case while also struggling with the return of his son. Gordon is about to close the Peter Pan Murders case. A case where 8 children were abducted from there homes, with the abducter apparently entering through the window. Closing this case however may reveal just how disturbed his son really is.

This was a good issue. Dealing with a Commissioner Gordon who has feared for years his son may be a psychopath and killer but has never had the proof. The strongest moments of the book are certainly the look into the troubled mind of Gordon as he worries about his son and what his return could mean.  Snyder does a great job making a character who is often nothing more than a "side kick" into the hero. You are shown what years of being a good cop in a city of nothing but crime can do to a man. Despite being a very strong issue I have to give it A WORTH YOUR TIME rating. If it had delivered on the overall plot as it appeared it was going to, rather then leaving certain details in the dark it would have been a must read.

100 Days of Batman Day 15, August 10th 2015.

It's day 15 and I'm going to interrupt the Batman: The Black Mirror story arc to instead read All-Star Batman Issue #1 written by Scott Snyder. I have been eagerly anticipating this book since it was announced. Snyder's basic idea in All-Star Batman is to take the villains and reimagine them. The first villain is Harvey Dent aka Two-Face. The name of this arc is My Own Worst Enemy. The basic plot is that Two-Face has dirt on everyone and he's offered to make whoever kills Batman rich or he exposes all the dark secrets he has. Batman is on the run as everyone is after him but he needs to get Two-Face to some house almost 500 miles away.

So what did I think of this first issue? Well it's not creepy or disturbing like Black Mirror, two qualities you know I enjoy in a Batman story if you have been following along, but that doesn't hurt the book. It's just plain fun. I definitely think this is a strong beginning to what is sure to be a great ride. I don't want to say much more about it as it was just released today but I definitely think everyone should give it a try as it is A MUST READ. Not surprising based on the author but perhaps I'm just biased in my opinion of Snyder. Come back tomorrow as I continue with the next issue in Batman: Black Mirror.

100 Days of Batman Day 14, August 9th. 2016

Batman: The Black Mirror continues to be creepy with Detective Comics #874. However, in this issue the focus shifts from Batman to Commissioner Gordon. Having been summoned to the Gotham Aviary by Detective Bullock, Gordan sees video surveillance of his son, James Gorden. A son who has a strange if not disturbing past and has arrived in Gotham claiming to be rehabilitated, but  Commissioner Gordon is not so sure.

We have another creepy yet slightly more disturbing issue with Detective Comics #874. Oh and surprise surprise this is also A MUST READ issue. It has the creepiness factor, great art fitting the tone, and it also introduces me to a character who I didn't know existed. That character being of course James Gordon, son of Commissioner Gordan. Scott Snyder does an excellent job of conveying that something is just not quiet right with this young man. You feel disturbed reading about him from the moment the book starts to the very end. The one thing I find myself asking is: How does this link back to "the dealer"? With several more books before the story ends I am confident Snyder will connect all the dots.

100 Days of Batman Day 13, August 8th 2016.

Detective Comics #873 is weird and creepy but in a good way.  Batman is in trouble, his disguise failed and "the dealer" has known who he was from the start. In the den of the enemy Batman is forced to fight his way out or be torn apart by crazed auctioneers. The book is also the ending to the first part of The Black Mirror and will pick up in Detective Comics #874 focusing on Commissioner Gordan.

If I had a rating that was higher than "a must read" I would give this book it. Alas however I do not so I rate this book as A MUST READ. It is my favorite single issue I have read since beginning this 100 day journey. The art is exceptional, the story is super strange and eerie. It has all the elements I like to see in a Batman book. My favorite part of the book which I won't spoil here was toward the middle and made me go "what the heck" out loud. It was great and fun. Odd and spooky Batman stories are the best. Definitely give this story a read if you haven't all ready.

N.S.