Batman Detective Comics # 826 By Paul Dini & Don Kramer

Ok, so it has been way too long since the last review, and to anybody who actually believes in comics…..sorry for the delay. Now, on to the PICK OF THE WEEK!!

Some of you might have seen this coming and if you did, good job. Paul Dini(if you don’t know who this dude is do yourself a favor and look him up on Wikipedia…and be amuthafuckinmazed) has been delivering the goods on detective comics for a few months now with his amazing one-shots. This issue, ”Slayride” was insane. To sum it up, Robin is tied up and riding shotgun with The Joker at the wheel. The action is intense as the Clown Prince of Crime plows down pedestrians left and right with Robin unable to get himself untied. The dialogue moves from hilarious to truly frightening and it sets you on the edge of your seat wondering how it could get any worse, which of course, it does.

This issue, in a mere 22 pages, manages to pull off perfectly what we need to see from a Joker story. The fact that this dude is a THREAT. Over the past I don’t know how many years I’ve seen too many covers with The Joker getting the total shit kicked out of him. Or stories where he is just this parody or a stereotype of himself. Fuck that shit you need to be scared of this motherfucker. Batman knows. Nightwing knows. The Gordons know. Jason Todd really knows. And by Jason Todd I mean the second Robin from the 80’s not this bullshit Red Hood bullshit.

………so yeah, buy this comic. You’ll love it!

Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon

This is an instant classic. Brian K. Vaughan’s story of four escaped lions searching for food through the war torn streets of Baghdad, immediately pulls you in and doesn’t let go until it’s jarring conclusion.

When I read this I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, it’s that smooth of a read. The artwork is stunning, Niko Henrichson is able to convey the lion’s emotions, pull off fierce action sequences and create breathtaking, cinematic splash pages with ease. The story moves along effortlessly thanks to BKV’s trademark natural and witty dialogue. Because of this combination we are treated to a highly entertaining, beautiful, and moving story, who’s characters rich personalities shine off the pages.

While it’s a tremendously entertaining book it’s also thought provoking, which unfortunately can be a rarity. As with his work on Ex Machina, Vaughan doesn’t shy away from controversial subject matter. This story makes you question how we as humans define freedom, and for me is another reminder of why I hate this bullshit war.

This is an important piece of work and will surely prove to be a milestone in both creators’ careers. Pride of Baghdad is a fine addition to the graphic novel genre and a perfect example of why comics should be taken seriously. It leaves you with emotions that linger far after the book is closed.

PICK OF THE YEAR.

ps – not just because there’s talking lions.

Ex Machina Special #2

Wednesday is new comic book day. In honor of this, the holiest day of the week, I shall henceforth be reviewing my favorite comic of the week. This week's pick is Ex Machina Special #2, the second half of the two-part Life and Death story. This series mixes superhero action and intelligent politics. It's realistic and pretty funny.

In case you've never read this amazing comic, I'll give you a quick recap of the premise.

Mitchell Hundred is the victim of an accident that gives him command over machines. He uses his new power to become The Great Machine, the first real life superhero. After 9-11, he retires his jet pack and costume to become mayor of New York City.

In Ex Machine Special we are introduced to Jack Phereson, who was mentioned way back in the beginning of the series. Phereson is the arch enemy of The Great Machine; he has voice command over animals. This makes for an interesting challenge. The Great Machine not only uses his powers to overcome Phereson's attacks but his brain as well, which is a refreshing change from some books. The conclusion itself makes you say, "Ooooh shit".

This is an excellent jumping on story for new readers. Or, if you're not sure about adding another title to your pull box, it's cool because it can be read as a self-contained story.

Also, the covers to the two issues combine to make one large picture. Rad. Sweet.

All Star Superman #1

First off, I'll admit I wasn't going to read this. Now that I have I am currently working on a time machine to go back and kick my own ass. Grant Morrison starts this issue by zipping through Superman's origin in eight words*. Why? Because everyone should know by now how the first and greatest superhero came to be.

This story is Silver Age as fuuuuuck. Lex Luthor is a mad scientist super genius as he should be. Obsessed now more than ever with the man of steel's destruction. Lois is a smart-ass. Good. This story has a Luthor revenge scheme, heroic and flawless rescues by Supes (some of the rescued unaware they were in danger at all), a dash of science fiction for good measure, and an unbelievable ending.

Morrison's Clark Kent dialogue is perfect. I can almost hear Christopher Reeve's voice. Quitely's work was an acquired taste for me, but now I can't believe how much I love it. It's gorgeous. He draws the man of tomorrow as regal and awe-inspiring. Turning each page is like opening a Christmas present. I have devoured the second and third issues.

Some dudes might not want to pick this comic up because it's out of continuity. To those dudes I say, Please read this and get pissed at yourself for not changing your mind sooner. If you've ever been a Superman fan, you'll love this. If you've never been… wise up, sucka.

*Doomed planet. Desperate scientists. Last hope. Kindly couple.

Batman: Hush Vol 1 and Vol 2

Let's change the pace here. It's time to review in my opinion one of the greatest Batman stories ever written. Writer Jeph Loeb(Batman: long halloween, Spider-Man Blue) is arguably at his best in this story, teamed up with one of comics greatest artist of all time Jim Lee(X-men, Wildcats). This is definately a force to be reckoned with.

Does Hush have controversy? Yes. Things that will alter Batman's world forever. When you change the continuity of characters there's no telling how the fans will react. They are either going to love it or hate it…The boldness to me is epic.
This book starts off on the up and up, not slowing down, showing Batman's brilliance, dedication, and fighting skills through out the whole story. He is put through a gauntlet of his worst enemies: I mean we have Killer croc, Catwoman(friend or foe?), The Riddler, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn and the Clown prince of crime himself, The Joker, throw in a new villian and you got yourself one incredible story. What's that you say? Superman and Batman fight in this book…What? How? Why? Batman would not stand a chance against Superman…You never know. This story will definately have you trying to get through both these volumes in one night to find out what exactly is going on, and how will it end.

This is for sure a must have for Batman fans everywhere, In fact let me rephrase that…For comic fans everywhere. one of the best looking and best written stories ever. There is just so many great things I could say about these books, but I will stop here cause if not all the text could fill a book, My goal here is to say what I want without revealing too much. I want you to read the book and see for yourself, but I will say this..Hush is definately one of the main reasons I am still reading comics today, and arguably the best story arc in continuity of the Batman series.

I give this 4 thumbs up, because I'm also counting Fabian's thumbs.
Batman and Catwoman talking about Superman.

Batman: He's the best at what he does.

Catwoman: That's open to debat.

Batman: I said he's the best at what he does, not at what I do.

Buy it. Read it. Love it.

Buy Batman: Hush at Amazon.com

Planetary: Vol I All Over the World and Other Stories

Have you ever felt like there was more going on in the world than we're being told and that history might not be all that accurate? If not, shoot yourself in the face, hard. Planetary's mission is to uncover the secret history of the world, discover forbidden knowledge, and destroy the official version of the twentieth century.

The comics three main characters are Elijah Snow (whose power is heat subtraction), Jakita Wagner (a fierce post-human, super speed and strength), and The Drummer (who talks to machines). They are an investigative team of mystery archaeologists. Overall this is science fiction and Warren Ellis is at his best in this series. This comic jumps from genre to genre, introducing characters who should seem familiar to comic book history enthusiasts. They are taken from the legends and lore of the DC and Marvel Universes. But what these stories do is make them seem almost real, thanks to John Cassidy's (you might know him from a little book called Astonishing X-Men) rich art work and Ellis's imaginative and often humorous storytelling. Basically it's fun. It's fun to see terrorists walking through a giant monster's rotting torso. Or how about seeing the ruined headquarters of a team of superheroes after their final battle? Look, you know this book is good when fuckin Alan Moore does the introduction.

This comic is for true believers, it's rad and everyone should be reading the shit out of it.

This is the first exchange of dialogue in this masterpiece of awesome…

Elijah Snow: Coffee tastes like your dog took a leak in it.

Waitress: Dawgs gotta go someplace.

Yesssssssss.

Two thumbs up. Scale of 1-10, eleventy.

Buy Planetary Vol. 1 at Amazon.com

Majestic #6

Majestic #6 gives you a good brawl with Majestic going at it with Spartan (leader of the WildC.A.T.S). I jumped into #6 without reading the following issues so I may be a little off on some subjects. With Spartan's body taken over, Majestic gets a face full o' fist which launches him a couple hundred miles. Then gets dog piled by a dozen Spartan clones, but cuts the pack down with one blow. The true Spartan teleports Majestic to Denver to witness the Daemonites destruction to the city. Majestic finds out these are Daemontites from another dimension and can possess anybody. There using Kheran's planet-shaper engines to remake the world, which was left before man walked the world. And after all that crap is explaned more fighting ensures laser beam eyes, crashing through a couple of walls, with sound effects matching the impact's very well. With the last couple of pages coming up Majestic punches off Spartan's lower jaw, and puts a fist size hole through his torso. Spartan catches his second wind and knocks Majestic cold and tosses him into some molten iron. With a badass showdown from two of Wildstorms heavy hitters, sharp clean artwork and inks to match, this issue is a nice jump into the series.

Best of the best in this comic:

Dialouge: Possesed Spartan, "It's not unusual for us to convert a thousand civilians in a single day."

Fight: Majestic punching Spartan's jaw off.

Cover: Shows you exactly what your going to get in this comic.

Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning Pencilled by Neil Googe & Juan Santacruz Inked by Trevor Scott & colors by Carrie Strachan