Technically, the comics came out on Wednesday, which was the last week in September, but I picked them up on the first day of October, so here they are. And only five this week! It would have been four, but a fifth one snuck its way into the folder, and it looked interesting. So let’s see if we can do this in my chosen format.

We’ll also see if these end up on ComiXology or not. 🙂

Batman: The Brave and the Bold #9

DC Comics (November 2009)

WRITER: Landry Walker

ARTIST: Eric Jones

COLORS: Heroic Age

LETTERER: Travis Lanham

EDITOR: Michael Siglain

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Harvey Richards

After teaming up with some of DC’s mystical characters (I only recognized Dr. Fate and Zatanna) battling “The Void” on the moon, Batman finally heads home to Gotham City. There he is joined by Catman, a new superhero in town. But when Batman discovers he’s really just trying to put the criminal competition out of the way, Catman’s crime career crashes and burns–as does his dirigible when Catman tries to keep it from killing innocent people on the way down.

What they got right: Landry and Eric (of Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures… fame), begin their run on the title, and maintain the Silver Age style storytelling from the cartoon. The look is almost identical to the show (except for Catman’s outfit), including characters like Two-Face and the Riddler who were never on the show. They also snuck in elements from the 60’s show, when it comes to the sound effects. They also make Catman one of those villains who only wants money, and doesn’t really want to hurt people. He actually puts himself on the line to save innocents, which means he’s bad, but still has standards–a line he won’t cross. A nice bit of depth to the character. Best part? Batman smacks the Penguin with one of his own mind-controlled pet seals. That beats the previous best fight in this series.

What they got wrong: One of my concerns when it comes to these cartoon spin-off comics is how they sometimes contradict the show, especially when the comic writer decided to play a little too close to the main comics continuity. That part didn’t happen here, but unless this story takes place prior to Catman’s first appearance in the cartoon (where Batman already knows Catman is a bad guy), there is still a contradiction. On the X-Ray Studios blog, Landry says that he saw the episode after this comic was already complete, so there might be some merit. (I’d have to rewatch it to see if they mention meeting prior to the episode.) Also, everyone on the internet knows Batman can breathe in space.

Recommendation: Moon Batman is no Moon Supergirl, but Landry and Eric seem poised to bring all the fun from their last DC series to this one. I predict awesomeness every month. Also, if you foolishly missed it, Supergirl: Cosmic Adventure in the 8th Grade will be coming out in December. You want this. Seriously. YOU WANT THIS BOOK!

The Phantom: Generations #5

Moonstone Entertainment (2009)

(cover “B”, shown)

WRITER: Martin Gately

PENCILER: Enrique Alcatena

COVER ART: Doug Klauba & Ruben Procopio

COVER COLORS: Jason Millet

EDITORS: Mike Bullock & Ed Rhodes

LOGO DESIGN: Anthony Sciavino

The Fifth Phantom and wife, “Captain Amazon–the Pirate Queen”, who was more pirate lite, come upon a band of full-on pirates. The Phantom wins, but Juliet (aka Capt. Amazon) is wounded. They stop at a nearby seaport so she can be tended to, while the Phantom tracks down one who got away with her wedding ring. Arriving in Sherwood, he finds out that his prey is mentally unbalanced thanks to an illness and ends up fighting jungle beasts in order to reach him.

What they got right: It’s always interesting to see the Phantom taken out of the jungle environment. Using Sherwood Forest as the setting is interesting if only because there were no “Robin Hood” references. That’s actually a point in the story’s favor, since there’s more to Sherwood, I’m sure, than Robin Hood and his Merry Men. The art is rather good, although different from the previous issues. The reasons for Teratos Birch’s insanity sets him apart from other Phantom foes, and I do like a good redemption story.

What they got wrong: Ultimately, though, it’s a rather boring story. Gately doesn’t write the story as if it came from the Phantom Chronicles, as his predecessors have. Instead, it’s just a prose Phantom story, and surprising not an exciting one for the plot. The jungle animals are mostly explained, but still feel forced into the story. He can fight panthers in the jungles of Africa. This is the forest of England. Have him deal with a local threat; bears or wolves, or whatever they have in Sherwood. If Devil’s origins (the current Phantom’s pet wolf) was never explained in the strips, this might have been a good place to do so. If the origin HAS been done, then at least a nod to him would have been nice, but why fight animals from his homeland in a new setting, with plenty of other threats, including Birch himself?

Recommendation: Currently the weakest of the tales in this series. Mostly recommended for completists, but you’re not missing much otherwise.

Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man #55

Marvel Comics (November 2009)

WRITER: Paul Tobin

PENCILER: Jacopo Camagni

COLORIST: Sotocolor

LETTERER: Dave Sharpe

COVER: Skottie Young

PRODUCTION: Damien Lucchese

EDITOR: Nathan Cosby

When Peter follows Gwen as she sneaks off school grounds, he gets drawn into a battle with Tombstone, who is using the girl to threaten her police captain father. Spider-Man later teams up with Captain America to protect Captain Stacy when he confronts Tombstone–but he was smart enough to call in police back-up. Stacy confirms that he’s figured out Peter is Spider-Man.

What they got right: I like the art on this book. It’s fun and comic book-y, if that’s a term. Someone also snuck in a reference to Fury Files, a website Hasbro and Marvel put together to promote the Marvel figures (I imagine), as well as a few other ad signs. Peter and Chat continue to make a fun couple, to the point where I find the Stacys, interesting as they are, a distraction. Then again, this isn’t “Spider-Man Loves Chat”. 🙂 The parts with Spidey uncomfortable walking in public on the ground as Spidey (ether with Gwen or Captain America) are nice, but sort of contrast other Tobin MA stories in Avengers and Super Heroes, where they do that sort of thing all the time.

What they got wrong: Why was the ad for “Tobin’s Tamales” in one shot replaced with an ad for a real life mattress company the next time we see it? And why even have the ad? Is it actually paid for, thus keeping the comic price below the main line’s overpriced titles?  I could get behind that, but otherwise why? (And why replace the sign between shots?) Also, the colorist messed up on Tombstone, who is supposed to be albino (thanks to his back-story, which is why he’s also super strong), and it seems like the other MA titles are again not in continuity. I didn’t get the impression that Cap and Spidey are Avengers teammates, and this saddens me. I loved both Tobin and Jeff Parker’s runs on the comic.

Recommendation: The story gets more interesting with each issue, and while still one-shot stories, they still have an ongoing timeline in place. I just wish there was more of a universe between the MA titles.

The Phantom: Ghost Who Walks #5

Moonstone Entertainment (2009)

WRITER/PHANTOM GROUP EDITOR: Mike Bullock

ARTIST: Silvestre Szilagyi

COLORIST: Bob Pedroza

LETTERER: Josh Aitken

EDITOR: Ben Raab

COVER “A”: Joe Corroney

COVER “B” (SHOWN) AND “C”: Mark Romanoski

PHANTOM CONSULTANT: Ed Rhoades

Wait, what happened to David Michelinie?

A cult with ties to a previous Phantom is kidnapping potential sacrifices in hope of reawakening their god. Among their victims is Mr. Walker (for the Ghost Who Walks) himself, as well as a missionary he befriended in an earlier story.

What they got right: Putting Kit in a situation that puts his secret identity versus his mission as the Phantom is not one you see very often. It’s a new situation, at least for me. The cult of the Eastern Dark (in conflict with the Phantom’s title as “Guardian of the Eastern Dark”) will make for an interesting foe. The art is spectacular, as usual.

What they got wrong: What’s with the continuity porn? In every kidnapping, at least one person is discussing a previous Phantom story, but I didn’t get the impression that this had any impact on the story. (Maybe later we learn the cult are capturing Phantom fanboys? Run, Ed Rhodes, run!)

Recommendation: A good start to a new arc. I can’t wait to see where it goes.

Justice League of America 80 page Giant #1

DC Comics (November 2009)

ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Adam Schalgman

EDITOR: Eddie Berganza

COVER: Jay Anacieto

And no, I didn’t count to ensure that it is, in fact, 80 pages of story. I just know there’s a whole lot, so I’m going to review this one in speed mode, giving my thoughts on each individual story.

“Wrinkles in Time”

Rex Ogle (Writer), Mahmud Ashar (penciler), Rob Hunter (Inker), Pete Pantazis (colorist), and Rob Clark Jr (letterer)

The framing story for the comic finds Snapper Carr and Cheetah (who apparently began to hook up in one of the Final Crisis spin-offs) about to get their yiff on (sorry, had to) in the old Justice League cave, when the time-traveling villain, Epoch, shows up. His plan is allegedly to kill off the ancestor of his nemesis, the Time Commander. It sets up the tale nicely for a cheap plot device, and Snapper and Cheetah make a surprisingly interesting couple. This is also my favorite artwork in the comic.

“When Justice Comes to Town” (Green Lantern Hal Jordan & Red Arrow)

JT Krul (writer), Ardian Syaf (penciler), John Dell (inker), Ulises Arreola (colorist), and Rob Clark Jr (letterer)

Utah: 1866–Hal and Roy end up in a small town that doesn’t like strangers. Hal is taken by the corrupt Sheriff and scheduled to be hanged just for being in town. Roy escapes, and teams with Cinnamon, a period crimefighter, to rescue him. Frankly, I would have rather seen a longer version of this story, but it’s pretty good for what it is.

“Days of Chivalry” (Vixen and Green Lantern John Stewart)

Rich Fogel (writer), Eric J (artist), Felix Serrano (colorist) and Rob Clark Jr (and no, he didn’t letter every story; it just feels like it)

Camelot: Medieval Times–Vixen finds herself in the company of the Shining Knight, the protector of Camelot. After some misunderstandings (thanks to racial attitudes of the day), she is welcomed by Sir Justin. King Arthur is away on other duties, which is the perfect time for Morgaine Le Fey to launch an attack. Vixen and Sir Justin are joined in battle by John, who is injured when his ring gets low on power. Morgaine challenges Sir Justin champion for champion rather than continue a battle costly to both sides. However, she somehow arranges for him to be poisoned, forcing Vixen to take his place against the witch’s dragon knight. The Vixen/Justin flirting makes more sense here than the “goodbye” kiss between Cinnamon and Roy in the previous story, but too many other elements seem forced, like Vixen taking over for Justin. John does nothing here but keep up the “team of two” motif the comic is going for. It just seems an excuse to show what a strong, black woman can do at the cost of the men and while Vixen can certain handle herself, it seems the writer had an agenda here. Then again, I’m pretty cynical lately, since there does seem to be more agenda writing these days.

“Fishnet Femmes Fatales” (Zatanna and Black Canary)

Josh Williamson (writer), “Bit” (art & color), and Rob Clark Jr (letterer)

New York: 1939–The ladies rescue the Crimson Avenger from mobsters who are holding a girl hostage. The trio, joined by Richard Drake (Black Canary’s future grandfather) to rescue her. This is probably my favorite story in the comic. (And thank GOD they didn’t use that second costume I saw in the linked-to “Wiki” article. Yeeesh!) The characters interact well and believably, and the original Crimson Avenger is a character I’d like to read more about, even if he did steal the Green Hornet’s shtick. However, I’m not really into the art here. It would look nice for a poster or a cover, but not the comic.

The Bride Who Loved Me (Green Arrow and Firestorm)

Chuck Kim (writer), Justin Norman (penciler), Gabriel Bautista (colorist), and Swands (letterer who isn’t Rob Clark, Jr?)

Somewhere: 1942–Oliver keeps himself and Firestorm II out of the action, not wanting to accidentally screw up the timeline. (We later realize Star Trek has made him paranoid.) He changes his mind when he meets “The Bride“, a Frankenstein-style, four armed woman who was once married to Ra’s Al Ghul. Apparently, Ra’s had–or will in the future have–a brief fling with Black Canary and did I just have to write that? Seriously, who thought that pairing was a good idea? Anyway, this one is more notable for how Jason and Oliver react to the situation. It’s rather comical.

“Last Voyage of the Pirate Princess” (Wonder Woman and Steel)

Derek Fridolfs (writer/inker), John Buran (penciler), Bill Crabtree (colorist) and Swands (letterer)

The Caribbean: 1574–Steel awakens in the hold of a pirate ship–captained by Wonder Woman and the Black Pirate. Diana has assembled a female pirate crew (figures) from “prostitutes, the homeless, and thieves” in hopes of finding any other fellow Justice Leaguers. However, they end up fighting a “kraken” that turns out to be Starro. OK, hang on. First of all, Steel wasn’t even in the establishing story. Wonder Woman should be here by herself, unless John took another time trip in a different adventure. He doesn’t even show up when the League are zapped back to the battle with Epoch. And I know I’ve been out of the loop, but when did John go back to using the Superman shield? And then there’s Starro. What the hell is he even doing there? I want to like this story, but there is so much wrong with it.

Samurai (Superman and Doctor Light–the good one)

Amanda McMurry (writer), Daziong (art and color), Sal Cipriano (letterer)

Japan:1223–Like Oliver, Superman wants to not damage the timeline. However, when a group of samurai go on a slaughter fest, the heroes decide to get involved, teamed with a hero similar to the old Superfriends character Samurai. (He even has the same first (last?) name, Toshiro. He was part of the army, a skilled strategist, until he found out he was on the wrong team. Left in a well to die by the army’s general, Steppenwolf, a spirit gives him super powers to fight back against the local shogun’s wicked army. It’s a good use of the character, as well as Doctor Light, and the art is perfect for this story (outside of some rather bad shots of Superman in later panels).

Back in the present, Snapper talks Cheetah into protecting the baby they think is Time Commander’s ancestor. Snapper and TC go after Epoch and are able to bring the others back to the present. However, Time Commander also took the opportunity to steal an hourglass from the Justice Cave.

Overall: I like the concept, much the same way I like the old characters usage in Batman: The Brave and the Bold. The art varies, usually due to my personal taste rather than being bad art (outside of those shots of Superman in “Samurai” I mentioned). At the very least, I recommend at least taking a look at it, especially with the $6.00 price tag.

Best Scene of the Week

HOW I MISSED  YOU, BSotW

Batman: The Brave and the Bold #9

Batman doesn't support clubbing seals, but he does support clubbing WITH seals.

At this point I have to give a shout-out to Chris Sims at the Invincible Super Blog. I read that particular scene too fast, and just thought it was Batman tossing Penguin’s mind-controlled seal. After seeing this panel again at his site did I realize that he was in fact smacking Mr. Cobblepot with the seal. Now that takes guts in this day and age. I get the feeling Landry and Eric will continue their ways from Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures and no I won’t stop bringing it up, in winning the Best Scene awards.

I still want my Moon Supergirl special, Didio!