It's time for another look at the most recent comics I purchased from the world's best comic book store, Acme Comics of Greensboro NC.
Today's focus: Batman!
We're gonna start with Batman Vol. 3#163 and the continuation of Hush 2.
Otherwise known as Poorly Conceived Cash Grab.
"I have fallen" are the first three words in panel 1 of page 1.
Joker speaks with a stylized logo!
Meanwhile, the traditional Bat-Family has assembled to take down Batman!
Batman actually saved the Joker who had been mortally wounded by Hush.
Nightwing thinks Bruce is in trouble and needs help.
Batgirl thinks saving Joker was bullshit and isn't at all happy with Batman right now.
Joker put a bullet in Barbara Gordon's spine that left her paralyzed for an extended period of time.
It's Bat-Fam vs. Bat Man but something's not right.
The Batman they're fighting is Clayface.
The real Batman sent Clayface to keep his family away from the fight with Hush.
Which goes badly for the Bat when Hush stabs him right through the heart.
Then Talia al Ghul shows up, shoots Hush through the head and spirits away Batman to a Lazurus Pit.
Which revives Batman to live again as he rises from the pit and embraces Talia for a big damn kiss and we have reached...
The end. Of Hush 2. Part One.
Oh for the love of God, we're not done with this yet?
Do not swear me in to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about what happened in this issue. I think I got the broad strokes down but...
I've read through this issue at least three times and I remain uncertain as to the details as to what exactly is happening and why.
Jeph Loeb's script is puntuated by big moments that carry little impact, undone by a nonsense story and questionable characterizations.
I would normally say the issue at least looks nice with art by Jim Lee, Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair but even that seems undermined by murky visuals that do not clearly show us what's happening.
It's been six months since issue #162 to produce this mess.
Allegedy the second half of Hush 2 will continue as it's own seperate limited series as some unspecified date.
Maybe I'll tell Jermaine to NOT pull that book for my box at Acme Comics and put me and my wallet out of our misery.
Or maybe DC might do us all the favor and have the back half of Hush 2 go the way of the last Jim Lee Bat-project, All Star Batman & Robin, and just... not happen.
Now on to much better Bat-comics!
"Trust the plan." This is Bruce's mantra to his team as Matt Fraction's captivating run on Batman continues with Vol. 4 #9.
Gotham's police commissioner, Vandal Savage has unleashed all out war against Batman and his associates.
The plan seems more like a strategy for defeat. Bruce concedes as much: "So tonight, we're going to lose."
Duke Thomas (The Signal), Stephanie Brown (Batgirl) and Damien Wayne (Robin) are pressed into service to clear out various bunkers Batman has hidden through out the city, just ahead of the Gotham City Police who are on a scorched Earth course of action to eradicate the Batman, his associates and all his materials.
Acting as Oracle, Barbara Gordon is coordinating their activities.
Bruce has a side issue of not being prepared to deal with Damien's teenage moodiness after Damien accidentally outed Bruce to Dr. Zeller a few issues back.
Something that holographic AI Alfred gives Bruce some grief about.
On the next page...
Bruce: "I don't miss you at all, Pennyworth and I'm glad you're dead."
AI Alfred: "I shall see you in hell,Master Bruce. Good luck."
"Trust the plan."
The plan involves Batman and Robin blowing up Wayne Manor.
"Trust the plan."
The plan also has Barbara Gordon being arrested as an associate of the "terrorist" Batman.
We see Barbara willingly surrendering to the cops who burst into her clock tower lair.
But the last page shows a disheveled Barbara with a bloodied lip and a broken glasses being perp walked out of a GCPD van.
Which sets up the new mini-series Barbara Gordon: Breakout as the erstwhile Batgirl/Oracle navigates life in prison. For awhile anyway. "Breakout" is in the title.
Issue #9 features another excellent turn by guest artist Ryan Sook but it's time for Jorge Jiminez to return with issue #10.
Commissioner Vandal Savage is having a good day.
Batman and his associates are in hiding.
One of those associates is in jail.
Batman's bases of operation have been compromised.
And Savage is bragging about it in front of every camera and microphone he can find.
"The end of the lawless reign of this urban terrrorist after years of inaction and outright complicity in his crimes... and I'm the one that ended it."
Savage thinks he's won.
Batman is ready to disavow him of that notion.
Remember....
"Trust the plan."
A pre-recorded message from Barbara Gordon assures the Bat-Fam that everything is going to the plan she and Bruce worked out and in the end...
Gotham City belongs to the Batman!
Now THIS is how to write a Batman comic!
"Trust the plan."
I certainly trust Matt Fraction.
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Next week: As Barbara Gordon faces off with criminals behind bars, let's take a look back at her beginning as a crimefighter.
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