Patrick:
My favorite book this week was the first issue of DC comic’s limited series “Bombshells” written by Marguerite Bennett and art by Marguerite Sauvage. So this week was super hard to pick a stand-out Top-O-The-Pile pick, because there were so many amazing books to release. I want to get back and talk about Phonogram, Mercury Heat and The Eltingville Club, but the physical release of “Bombshells” was so much fun it won out. If you missed the digital release do pick up this book this week, you will not be disappointed.
So here we have a fun and beautiful Elseworlds story of Batwoman, Wonder Woman and Supergirl set against the backdrop of WW2. What may have started as the super-heroification of old war posters like Rosie the Riveter has been really fleshed out into the three origin stories of the leading ladies. Wonder Woman’s story is hard to change because it already perfectly fits into this milleau, but where Bennett goes with Batwoman and Supergirl is pretty ingenious. I think that the backdrop works really well, as it is a fairly true to life representation of the war, and I can’t wait to see where this series goes.
Obviously one of the best parts of this book is the amazing art. This idea comes from a very visual point of view, in many of the same way that character designs of other else-worlds stories drive a lot of the interest. Ant Lucia‘s cover art is what initially drew me into this idea and probably sold it to a lot of readers, and Sauvage’s work inside I think is going to keep people coming back. A lot of the focus is on the leading ladies, and their designs I think are some of the my favorite representations of these characters I have seen. If DC’s aim here was to sell more collectible statues then mission accomplished.
The only problem with this issue is it is a lot of set-up for the characters in what is a fairly small limited series, and I can already tell I want it to be longer. We get really smart dialogue and great writing throughout the book, but the awesome ride is over before you know it. Still, that being said I can’t wait to pick up issue #2 because this is what comics should be: fun, beautiful and a great read. DC’s Bombshells is out today.
Myles:
I’ve stayed relatively quiet on the recent events in Scott Snyder and Greg Gapullo‘s Batman. For those who aren’t up to speed, the “Endgame” arc finished with the assumption that both Bruce Wayne/Batman died. Trying to fill the hole left by the absence of Batman, a program is pushed for an officially sanctioned Batman initiative, with James Gordon behind the cowl.
With the shock of the new status quo and costume behind them, Snyder and Capullo really start settling into the meat of their exploration of the Batman mythos in Batman #43, the third part of the “Superheavy” story.
Batman has been deconstructed, dissected, and defined probably more often than any hero in the history of comics. Grant Morrison’s historic run dug into many definitive aspects of Batman: to what he embodies, what he means as a symbol, and what Batman means as a legacy. His run continues to stand the test of time, so Snyder chooses another angle of exploration. Instead of trying to define Batman yet again, Snyder wisely goes a route not often really explored: what does it mean to be Batman? What does it take? Is it a legacy that can really be upheld after Bruce Wayne? Who is Bruce Wayne if he doesn’t have to be Batman.
The first two parts of the arc sees our new Batman, the state of the city post-“Endgame,” and lightly introduces a brand new villain. Issue 43 shows Gordon beginning to question Batman’s current status as a fully sanctioned, constantly monitored hero. Paralleled with Clark Kent’s inquiries with Alfred about what has happened to Bruce and what the means for him ever taking up the mantle of Batman again, Snyder essentially delivers the beginning of a thesis on what the rest of “Superheavy” well delve into: the soul of the Batman,
It’s an interesting take, and further endears Gordon to readers. This isn’t just a man taking a turn at being Batman. Gordon’s reluctantly had destiny thrust upon him, but, here we see him attempting to both grasp and accept his fate by trying to move outside the lines he fought so hard for years to define. Admittedly, I did not have a strong reaction about Batman being replaced at its announcement. It’s happened before, and it’ll likely happen again. Three issues in, Snyder and company have proven their story as one that needs telling and I’m incredibly excited to see what happens next.
Greg Capullo’s pencils remain astounding. His bold and detailed layouts carry the story with such exuberance and flair, the book quite literally flies by. That’s not to discount his incredible design for new villain, Mr. Bloom. Proving he can create fantastic, iconic villains in the Court of Owls and Talons, Mr. Bloom is another welcome addition to the dark cadre of characters this run has brought us. Often, Batman runs can be described as dark and gritty purely on their violence and mature things, but few have consistently gone into the horror/creepy kind of darkness with Batman. That choice and the designs for these characters have been one of my favorite things about this seminal run on a timeless character.
Capullo is aided by colorist Francisco Perez. The palette Perez implements just oozes atmosphere. He uses colors that pop brightly, but with an underlying griminess that compliments Capullo’s pencils to perfection. Batman simply has one of the best all around creative talents working on ever facet of this book.
Batman continues to be one of, if not the, best books DC publishes right now. From its relevant storytelling to its pitch perfect art, if you’re reading one mainstream superhero book consistently, it should be Batman.