Weekly Comics Roundup – Week Of June 26th, 2013 (Part One)

June 28, 2013

In the first edition of the Weekly Comics Roundup, Jamie Righetti breaks down what she picked up this week and whether or not you should spend your hard earned dollars on a series or not.

Batman/Superman #1

Writer: Greg Pak – Art: Jae Lee

So here we go again, with about the 50th retelling of the first meeting between Superman and Batman. The story jumps back and forth between Clark and Bruce’s perspectives and they both view each other as extremely dangerous. Right off the bat (heh), we have Bruce slumming it in a dodgy part of Gotham City, watching a pack of bullies assault another kid. Bruce eggs them on as Clark sprints in and breaks up the fight. Broody Bruce and Clark the Boy Scout, brilliantly done.

We find out Catwoman is killing Wayne Enterprises employees in Metropolis, except she’s being controlled by something or someone unexplained. As the fight goes down, Superman views Batman as a murderous villain and Batman sums up Superman as someone he might be able to take down, providing he doesn’t fly. As they fight each other, they get transported to Smallville and beat the crap out of each other until Superman hears his dead father’s voice and looks up to see Jonathan Kent.

Verdict: Worth scooping – it’s a collectible and so far, they are doing a great job at juxtaposing the differences between Batman and Superman, including a great splash page showing their different childhoods and their personal tragedies.

Justice League of America #5

Writer: Geoff Johns – Art: Brett Booth & Norm Rapmund

When we last left the Justice League of America, Catwoman was lying on the floor of the Headquarters of the Secret Society with a bullet in her brain. Cool. So how was Selina going to make her miraculous recovery in time for DC’s Villain’s Month this September? (SPOILERS)

By being Martian Manhunter. The old switcharoo. Eh. The rest of the crew is still fighting Professor Ivo’s robot creations, but are able to defeat them thanks to Stargirl, who resented being the PR spokeswoman for the team. We find out that the Secret Society has been using Chronos to move their manor hideaway around the globe and to disrupt J’onn’s psychic abilities. We still aren’t sure who the leader of the Secret Society is, though he does flip a coin and say “if the Joker could see me now.” Okay.

Director Waller wants to disband the JLA but Steve Trevor convinces her to give them one more chance. After he leaves Waller makes a comment about it being too easy. Ut oh? Green Lantern is introduced to the team, we find out the stained glass from the Secret Society manor is an image of Pandora’s Box and we get a little insert where the head of the Secret Society is talking to someone out of the frame who seems to be an unknown secret element. Hmm. Finally, due to an accident Doctor Light has transformed and Director Waller promises to help him if helps her. HMMM.

Verdict: MEH. I mean, I’ll keep reading to find out who this villain is but…MEH.

Jamie’s Pick of the Week: Batwoman #21

Writers: J.H. Williams III & W. Haden Blackman – Artist: Francesco Francavilla

Okay, technically this came out last week, but that’s how good this was. The story is told from the perspective of Killer Croc and look, I know what you’re thinking: really, Killer Croc? YES, REALLY KILLER CROC. We find Waylon Jones bloody and broken, still hearing Medusa’s voice in his head and trying to understand happened to him. He’s discovered by Gotham’s were-creatures and taken to their underground home to recoop.

The were-creatures want Croc to become their new leader (they see him as the harbinger of the apocalypse) but to do so he must kill the Batwoman to avenge the death of their former leader, Abbot. And so Croc sets out and hunts down Maggie Sawyer because he can smell the Batwoman all over her and assumes this is her true identity. Heh. Batwoman shows up, Croc shakes off his surprise and attacks. The three have a rumble and Croc decides to back down rather than go to Arkham. The were-creatures aren’t happy about this and Croc finds himself on his own again.

What I loved so much about this story is the insight we get into Croc’s mind, which transforms him from just a second-tier villain. Croc just wants to understand himself and find acceptance. When we see him finding love in Claire (one of the were-creatures), he remarks how she’s his first because only another freak would ever want him. There are also flashbacks to his childhood, where Croc is chased through the swamps by a gang of kids who want to cut him open and see what’s under his scaly skin. Although he initially finds acceptance with the were-creatures, in the end he doesn’t fit in. It’s sad but at least this time he has Claire.

Verdict: Do it. Now. For me, no one draws Batwoman like Williams (he drew the cover) but Francavilla’s art has a Swamp Thing feel to it and is perfect for Croc.