The Gates of Gotham a gem of a book

With all the focus at the moment been on Flashpoint and the upcoming changes to the DC Universe, The Gates of Gotham is one book that may slip under the radar of all but the most dedicated of Batman readers. For me that would be a shame as this is a gem of a story from writers Scott Snyder who is on fire at the moment, his American Vampire book is brilliant and Kyle Higgins who's work I am not too familiar with but a name I will be looking out for in the future. Add into the mix some fantastic art by Trevor McCarthy, and you have a mini series that is deserving of the highest of praise.

The story is basically a simple one,or as simple as a Batman story spanning over 100 years can get. Someone is blowing up the bridges in Gotham also known as the gates to Gotham, and is now progressing on to some of the older building within the city.

The connection is that they were all built with the money of the leading families of Gotham back in the late1800's, and its no big surprise when you learn that the family’s are the Wayne's, Elliot's and the Cobbelpot's .

Throw into the mix the engineer and architect of the structures, two brothers Nicholas and Bradley Gates (The Gates of Gotham) good swerve there, you have a story that stretches back to the birth of Gotham city itself.

All the leading players have a role in the book, with the interaction between Damian and Cassandra Cain (Black Bat) been particularly well written. Damian is been more than his usual obnoxious self striving to prove he is better than Cassandra at every turn, even to the point of nearly getting him self blown up just to prove it.

Dick Grayson as Batman just gets better and I will sorely miss his style of Batman when the new launch hits in September. What I find fascinating about Dick as Batman is that despite all the good he is doing, he still has that little voice that tells him Bruce would have done better. This is highlighted even more when Damian quips ''at this rate Gotham should be out of really big buildings by next week'' and when the Penguin says ‘’the rumours are true then’’when asked ''what rumours'' by Batman ''your slipping'' replies the Penguin, leaving Dick to ponder could I do better, would Bruce have done better.

Tim Drake / Wayne is also on board adding not only his computer and detective skills, but he also gets out in the field working along side Damian, which always leads to good dialogue between the two of them.

Hush and Penguin are used just enough to keep the story moving along, but its the mystery surrounding the new villain of the story that has me hooked most of all. His or her outfit is very steam punk in style but doesn't look out of place in the Batman universe. Who he or she is, is open for debate and even as issue 3 ends you still don't know who they are.
Which I find adds to the story, when Batman finds out who it is so will we.

The story does tend to jump back and forth from the past to present day throughout the story, but at no time did I find it confusing or off putting for me it added to the tone and feel of the book

If you are not reading this book then do yourself a favour and buy it, at the time of writting this its up to issue 3. If you are reading it then tell anyone who will listen to buy it, because this is as good as Batman story gets.

Flashpoint not setting my world on fire

Let me firstly say that I was as excited about this event as anyone, every Friday I would be on the Source blog to see what the latest news for Flashpoint Friday was. I would scour the internet for any scrap of information I could find about Flashpoint and the books that span out of it. Admittedly I was concerned about the number of titles, but I had decided to cherry pick the ones that held an interest for me, and along with the main book I hoped to have a good understanding of what was going on.
My monthly books came and I picked out the first issue of Flashpoint, took myself off to my computer den and read the book through. I was sadly unimpressed; yes the revel at the end that Thomas Wayne was Batman was good but hardly shocking. Undaunted I put the book down and decided to read it a second time later that evening, the second read however did not change my original thoughts on the book.

I decided to wait until the second book came out and read both books together along with a few of the tie-in I had bought, sadly after doing this I was still of the same opinion that the book was good but it was not fantastic. I then began to analyse why I thought this way after all I had been desperate to get every bit of information that was available about Flashpoint that I could before the event started, and there was plenty of information out there to get. Sadly that I believe that is the reason why the book just hasn’t done it for me, I just don’t believe that the book has lived up to all the hype that was created about it before it came out. That is not a criticism of the Flashpoint book; because for me the hype was so great I don’t think any book would have lived up to my expectations.

Blackest night was for me the best event I have ever read, but what did I know of the characters involved, well to be honest very little. I didn’t read Green Lantern before the event; in fact Blackest night was at issue 3 before I bought the mini so coming in blind made the event that much better for me. The same can be said for Brightest Day, I bought both the bi-monthly books and just sat and read them, was there the hype for these books as there was for Flashpoint, if there was I didn’t see it so my enjoyment wasn’t hindered. Yes I got a few spoilers from listening to podcasts and reading blogs, but never too much that it spoiled my enjoyment of what I was reading.

The other factor that has also hindered my enjoyment of Flashpoint is the announcement that the DC Universe is to reboot, re-imagine, and re-start whatever you want to call it after the Flashpoint event is over. My hopes for Flashpoint was that some of the characters would bleed over into the DCU once event had ended, a Thomas Wayne Batman in the normal DC Universe would have been something I would loved to have seen once Flashpoint was over. Now with the re-boot this is unlikely to happen, so my interest in the these re-imagined characters has all but disappeared.

As a consequence of my disappointment with Flashpoint I have dropped all the tie-in books apart from World of Flashpoint which for me is the only tie-in worth getting, I will also stick with the main book to see how it plays out, as I have said the book is good but for me it’s just not great.

As for any in news that is coming out about the new books in September am I staying away from it, i am a little bit but I still have a look now and then just to get a snippet of info.

Have I learned my lesson that too much information could be a bad thing, it would seem not but I have high hopes for the DC re-boot event. You know I may have heard that before !

Daleks on Westminster Bridge

The Doctor Who Experience recreates a classic Doctor Who story, The Dalek Invasion of Earth, from 1964 on Westminster Bridge in central London, using four generations of Daleks from the series. I had the original scene as a jigsaw as a child, wish I knew where is was now.

The Doctor Who Experience runs at London's Olympia until November, you can check the website for times and ticket costs.

 

Grant Morrisons 60 second interview in the Metro Newspaper 13/07/11

Grant Morrison is the focus of the Metro newspapers 60 second interview, where quickly (60 seconds) Grant talks about, dimensional aliens, gives voodoo advice and his plans for the Superman re-boot in September.

 I currently don't read Superman but this is one book I will be picking up in the September launch

The Dark Knight Rises Poster Teaser

 

Teasers for the new Batman 3 film The Dark Knight Rises have been released the first showing Gotham City apparently falling apart, with the Bat symbol above the destruction. The second show what looks like Bane played by Tom Hardy, the film is scheduled for July 2012 (UK) expect more information to filter out before then

  

Dc re-boot a slight rant

Just thought I would put my thoughts on the changes to the DC Universe:

Disappointments:

For me numbers matter and titles like Detective, Batman, Action comics starting at number 1, I find a little sad. Why could they not have kept the numbering the same on books that are continuing and just have a banner on the cover saying New Universe, Reboot or New World anything to set it apart from what went before. I know DC say starting all the comics at number 1 helps readers to understand its a new jumping on point, but come on give us some credit if we can understand how to managed our daily life, house payments, balance work and family life then a comic reboot is not too much of a stretch. The Dark Knight has only reached issue 2 and will be lucky to reach 3 by September the way its going, so do they really believe readers would be confused with the back history of that book?

John Constantine in a team book I cannot see this working, I have read Constantine since his conception and he is a loner and only thinks of himself so he wont work in a team book. Now if this is a different Constantine due to the changes then he is not the same character and they have lost one reader here.

Tim Drake not on the Bat books, don't think I have to expand on that one.

I was enjoying Justice League, and had been informed by all sources that I read or listened too that a long term plan was in place, at last I thought what should be DC premier book finally had a planned direction. Seems I was miss-informed and we are going back to putting the big hitters in there once again, only to change it in around 2 years time and I am been kind giving DC two years.

How many reboots has this book already had, is another going to make a difference.

Excited About:

The bat books all look good, I don't include Birds,Batgirl or Batwoman in that statement, as I didnt read them before so I wont be picking them up in the shake up.

I can live with Dick Grayson back as Knightwing as I loved that book before his change to Batman.

The anthology title DC Universe Presents I love the idea of a book that can showcase characters, that would not always support a book of their own. My only hope is that the main DC characters don't have main story lines in this book.

All the Green Lantern books, I just hope the GL universe hasn't changed too much.

I have enjoyed the resent JLI book in Brightest Day so will be picking up the new one, just a small complaint where is Blue Beetle and I would have liked to see the Captain Atom stay in there.

Comic Void Left By:

JSA, Power-Girl, Zattana and Batman Beyond who seem to have been cancelled.

Will I buy the books that are the same or similar to what I buy now, yes I will, will I continue only time will tell. Will I buy any of the new books, I will listen and read reviews before deciding what's best for me.

On a final note we are holidaying in New York in September for 5 days, so I may be able to get to some book signings whilst I am there if any are happening, glass half full as they say.

San Diego Comic Con 2011



For those of you lucky or rich enough to be going to the San Diego Comic-Con this year, here is a list of schedule of the DC panels curtsey of DC Comics the source.

Thursday, July 21
10:30-11:30 DC: Talent Search
Moderators: Mark Chiarello/Jim Lee
Join DC’s Editorial Art Director, Mark Chiarello, for an informative orientation session that will explain how DC’s Talent Search works and discuss the different needs of the DC Comics, Vertigo and MAD Magazine. If you want to learn what DC Comics looks for in artists and how to improve your chances of becoming a working professional, then this is the panel for you! In order to have your work reviewed, attendance at this orientation session is mandatory. (Please note: Not all attendees are guaranteed a one-on-one review.) Room 12

11:30-12:30 DC: Flashpoint
Moderator: Bob Wayne EDITOR: Eddie Berganza
Everything you know will change in a Flash! Flashpoint, the blockbuster comics event of the summer, has turned the DC Universe inside out! Join DCU Executive Editor, Eddie Berganza, and some of the amazing talent behind Flashpoint, for a panel that’s sure to pose new questions about this explosive event even as it answers others! Room 6DE

1:00-2:00 DC Direct
Moderator: Bob Wayne EDITOR: Jim Fletcher
DC Direct has long been known as one of the most creative companies that produce collectibles for the direct market. Come and join DC Direct Director of Product Development Jim Fletcher and artist Adam Hughes, along with DC exclusive sculptors, and more, as they discuss their line of current projects, as well as the future plans revolving around the new DC Universe! Room 5AB
2:00-3:00 DC Comics – The New 52
Moderator: Eddie Berganza

DC Comics explodes in September with 52 new number one issues and one panel is not enough to cover it! With a ‘DC Comics – The New 52’ panel each day, there’s sure to be something for everyone! Join Bob Harras, DC’s Editor-in-Chief, and DCU Executive Editor, Eddie Berganza, for an up-close look at this unprecedented wave of new series, from the first-ever re-launches of Action Comics and Batman titles to the latest thrills from comics’ cutting-edge! Join Bob, Eddie and some of the industry’s top writers and artists as we make history together. Room 6DE

3:15-4:15 DC: Batman
Moderator: John Cunningham EDITOR: Mike Marts
Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Batwoman and the rest of Gotham City’s greatest crimefighters take things to the next level in September with new battles and new titles! Now, get to know the writers and artists behind these exciting new comics, including Batman Group Editor Mike Marts, Grant Morrison (Batman Incorporated), David Finch (Batman: The Dark Knight), Scott Snyder (Detective Comics), Peter Tomasi (Batman & Robin) Patrick Gleason (Batman & Robin), Gail Simone (Batgirl), Judd Winick (Batwing, Catwoman) and others answer your questions at this exclusive Bat-panel! Room 6DE

5:45-6:45 Vertigo Editorial
Moderator: Karen Berger/John Cunningham
They come from the cutting edge of comics… and Vertigo has never been edgier, with thought-provoking titles from some of comics’ most acclaimed creators. Don’t miss this panel featuring Bill Willingham (Fables) Scott Snyder (American Vampire), Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth), Michael Allred (iZombie), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Les Klinger (Annotated Sandman), Rebecca Guay (A Flight of Angels), Colleen Doran (Gone to Amerikay), and many others – this is your opportunity to learn more about the entire Vertigo line! Hosted by Vertigo Executive Editor Karen Berger. Room 6DE

Friday, July 22
10:00-11:00 DC: Talent Search
Moderators: Mark Chiarello
Join DC’s Editorial Art Director, Mark Chiarello, for an informative orientation session that will explain how DC’s Talent Search works and discuss the different needs of the DC Comics, Vertigo and MAD Magazine. If you want to learn what DC Comics looks for in artists and how to improve your chances of becoming a working professional, then this is the panel for you! In order to have your work reviewed, attendance at this orientation session is mandatory. (Please note: Not all attendees are guaranteed a one-on-one review.) Room 12

10:00-11:00 DC: MAD Screening and Q&A
Moderator: John Ficarra
Often imitated but never duplicated, MAD is more than just the country’s best-selling humor magazine – it’s also the inspiration for the outrageous animated series from Warner Bros. Animation. Featuring short animated parodies, crazy commercials, pretend promos and classic gags inspired by the iconic magazine, MAD is currently one of the highest-rated series on Cartoon Network … and back at Comic-Con to share more laughs and explore the world of MAD. Join MAD Magazine editor John Ficarra, art director Sam Viviano and “Spy vs. Spy” artist Peter Kuper, along with MAD series producers Kevin Shinick and Mark Marek, for a sizzle reel of laughs from season one, a sneak peek at season two and a wise-cracking Q&A that’s bound to be, well, MAD. MAD airs Mondays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network. Room 25ABC

11:15-12:15 DC Comics – The New 52
Moderator: John Cunningham Editor: Bob Harras/Eddie Berganza
DC Comics explodes in September with 52 new number one issues and one panel is not enough to cover it! With a ‘DC Comics – The New 52’ panel each day, there’s sure to be something for everyone! Join Bob Harras, DC’s Editor-in-Chief, and DCU Executive Editor, Eddie Berganza, for an up-close look at this unprecedented wave of new series, from the first-ever re-launches of Action Comics and Batman titles to the latest thrills from comics’ cutting-edge! Join Bob, Eddie and some of the industry’s top writers and artists as we make history together. Room 6DE

3:00-4:00 DC Superman
Moderator: John Cunningham Editor: Matt Idelson
How does The Man of Tomorrow fit into the new DC Universe that rises in September? Find out as Group Editor Matt Idelson joins new Action Comics writer Grant Morrison (All Star Superman, Batman Incorporated) and author of the best-selling Superman: Earth One graphic novel J. Michael Straczynski (Superman, Wonder Woman) to take fans new and old up, up and away to give readers a sneak peak at what’s in store for Superman. Room 6DE

4:15-5:15 DC: Justice League
Moderator: Bob Wayne Editor: Eddie Berganza
Comics’ top talents – writer Geoff Johns and artist Jim Lee – team up for the first time ever to bring you the new Justice League, making its debut as part of the new DC Universe! Join Johns, Lee and DC Executive Editor Eddie Berganza as they bring together the talents behind the new JLA titles, including writers Dan Jurgens (Justice League International), JT Krul (Green Arrow), Eric Wallace (Mister Terrific), artists Francis Manapul (The Flash), Brian Buccellato (The Flash), Philip Tan (The Savage Hawkman) and more! Room 6DE

5:30-6:30 Vertigo: American Vampire
Moderator: John Cunningham Editor: Mark Doyle
The acclaimed Vertigo series American Vampire – nominated for a 2010 Eisner Award as “Best New Series” – introduced Skinner Sweet and a whole new type of undead, blazing a blood-drenched new trail! Join the creator of this series, as well as the new miniseries American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest for an undead discussion with writer Scott Snyder, artist Rafael Albuquerque and Editor Mark Doyle. Room 6DE

Saturday, July 23
10:00-11:00 DC: Talent Search
Moderators: Mark Chiarello
Join DC’s Editorial Art Director, Mark Chiarello, for an informative orientation session that will explain how DC’s Talent Search works and discuss the different needs of the DC Comics, Vertigo and MAD Magazine. If you want to learn what DC Comics looks for in artists and how to improve your chances of becoming a working professional, then this is the panel for you! In order to have your work reviewed, attendance at this orientation session is mandatory. (Please note: Not all attendees are guaranteed a one-on-one review.) Room 12

10:00-11:00 DC: Green Lantern
Moderator: John Cunningham EDITOR: Eddie Berganza
Enlist in the Corps at DC’s annual Green Lantern panel! Join DCU Executive Editor Eddie Berganza, Green Lantern Corps writer Peter Tomasi, Red Lanterns artist Ed Benes and others for a look at the aftermath of “War of the Green Lanterns” and more! It’s one of the most exciting panels you’ll ever see! Room 6DE

11:15-12:30 DC Comics – The New 52
Moderator: Bob Wayne EDITOR: Bob Harras
DC Comics explodes in September with 52 new number one issues and one panel is not enough to cover it! With a ‘DC Comics – The New 52’ panel each day, there’s sure to be something for everyone! Join Bob Harras, DC’s Editor-in-Chief, for an up-close look at this unprecedented wave of new series, from the first-ever re-launches of Action Comics and Batman titles to the latest thrills from comics’ cutting-edge! Join Bob and some of the industry’s top writers and artists as we make history together. Room 6DE

12:45-1:45 DC: The Dark and The Edge
Moderator: John Cunningham EDITOR: Pat McCallum
From the shadowy corners of the new DC Universe comes a startling array of new series featuring some of comics’ top creators! Join DC Editor Pat McCallum and get acquainted with new DC titles from “The Dark” and “The Edge,” including Swamp Thing, written by Scott Snyder, Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. and Animal Man, written by Jeff Lemire, Deathstroke, written by Kyle Higgins, Demon Knights and Stormwatch, written by Paul Cornell, I, Vampire written by Josh Fialkov, Suicide Squad written by Adam Glass, Swamp Thing, drawn by Francesco Francavilla, All Star Western by Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray and Moritat, and more! Room 6DE

4:30-5:30 DC Focus: Jim Lee
Moderator: Bob Wayne EDITOR: Dan DiDio
Jim Lee is by far the most in-demand artist in comics, from his spectacular work on Batman, Superman, WildC.A.T.S. and so many other comics to his groundbreaking designs for the DC Universe MMO game. Now, as Co-Publisher of DC Comics, Jim has led the way to the start of the new DC Universe with his exciting new looks for the World’s Greatest Super Heroes. Join Jim and his fellow Co-Publisher, Dan DiDio, for a profile of the artist who’s setting the tone for the entire DCU! Room 6DE

7:00-8:00 Vertigo: Fables
Moderator: Shelly Bond/John Cunningham
The annual Fables panel has become a Comic-Con tradition – and with the original graphic novel Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland on the way this fall, there’s no better time to hear what Bill Willingham, creator of the multi-Eisner Award winning series, has to say. Join Bill, artists Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha, Group Editor Shelly Bond and others for a panel that is truly legendary. Room 6DE

Sunday, July 24
12:00-1:00 DC Focus: Jeff Lemire
Moderator: John Cunningham
Jeff Lemire first made an impression on the world of comics with his award-winning Essex County graphic novel trilogy. He soon made the move to DC Comics, with the graphic novel The Nobody and comics including Superboy and the distopian epic Sweet Tooth. Lemire recently wrote the miniseries Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown, and will make a splash in September with the new, continuing series Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. and Animal Man. Join Jeff for a special chat about his work for DC Comics and Vertigo. Room 7AB

1:45-2:45 Designing the New DCU
Moderator: Bob Wayne EDITOR: Jim Lee
What does it take to remake a universe? There are new stories, new characters, and especially new designs! Join DC’s Co-Publisher Jim Lee, VP – Art and Design Mark Chiarello, exclusive artist Cully Hamner and others for a look as they discuss their visual approach to reshaping the DC Universe! Room 6DE
3:00-4:00 DC Comics – The New 52

Moderator: John Cunningham EDITOR: Mike Marts, Matt Idelson
DC Comics explodes in September with 52 new number one issues and one panel is not enough to cover it! With a ‘DC Comics – The New 52’ panel each day, there’s sure to be something for everyone! Join DCU Group Editors Matt Idelson and Mike Marts for an up-close look at this unprecedented wave of new series, from the first-ever re-launches of Action Comics and Batman titles to the latest thrills from comics’ cutting-edge! Join Matt, Mike and some of the industry’s top writers and artists as we make history together. Room 6DE

4:00-5:00 Art Masters: Drawing DC
Moderator: Mark Chiarello
Superstar artists share their secrets of drawing the DC Universe with a special projector designed so you can see their every master stroke. Check out this unique presentation that will surely draw ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ amongst the gathered masses! Room 30CDE

War of the Green Lanterns the forgotten event



With all the focus coming out of DC at the moment seeming to be on Flashpoint and the new September issues, for me DC have allowed one event to slip under the radar.

I am talking about The War of the Green Lanterns, which for me has been a fantastic read in every book it has appeared so far. Yes it has crossed over into each of the Green Lantern books, meaning that you had to buy them all to follow the story. However, this does mean that each book is a pivotal part of the overall arch, and moves the story on to its inevitable end, which is more than can be said for some of the Flashpoint books.

What surprises me is that this story line has been building up for the past year; some would argue it has been building up since Geoff Johns first began writing the Green Lantern books. So why on earth would DC allow what for me should be one of the events of the year, to have been buried behind the seemingly endless Flashpoint promotional band wagon. To make matters worse the Green Lantern War took place at the same time as Green Lantern film was released, a double opportunity missed by the DC planning department.

This lack of foresight should not be a surprise to anyone as DC did a similar thing like this before, last year we had the Batman event of RIP, Superman had World of New Krypton, all going on at the same time as Blackest Night. Dont get me wrong I loved Blackest Night, but with the amount of titles spinning out of that event, I had to give the Superman books a miss.

Does any of this sound familiar or is it just me?

Anyway, if you have missed any of the War of the Green Lantern books, do yourself a favour go pick them up you will not be disappointed.

Superman/Batman #85 - Batman turned Killer?

For me Superman / Batman has been one of DC's most consistent books since its conception in 2003.

This is in part due to the fact that most of the story arcs are independent and self-contained, from the ongoing or crossover story lines in the other Batman and Superman comic titles. This new story arch is no different seemingly set in both our heroes early days.

At the start of this new 3 part story arc! The body of Gotham reporter Garrett Remington has washed up in Metropolis and all evidence seems to point to Batman been the killer, it turns out that Garret was a friend of the Daily Planet head Perry White, so Perry sends Clark Kent to Gotham to investigate the death of his friend, and hopfuly point the finger at Batman.

The story highlights the apparent distrust not only from Batman to Superman but with most of Gotham's police force with Batman, with the exception of Commissioner Gordon who seems to dismiss any idea that Batman maybe behind the death of the reporter slightly too quickly for my liking.

Even when Superman offers help to both Batman & Gordon he is rebuffed, told by both men that 'its our city, our problem', a sort of city wide siege mentality to outside help.

As the story goes on things seemingly get worse for Batman,as the evidence seemingly stacks up against him. However he has been in worse situations and refuses any form of help, but is strangely willing to share information with Supes in a Gotham back ally.

The ending of the issue reveal ties in nicely with the current Batman inc idea, and why Bruce may have taken the decision (although years later)to revel to the world that he was financing Batman.

The story is by Joshau Hale Fialkov, who puts together a very good murder mystery story, set against the back drop of our heroes early years. Batman is all brooding, untrusting and hiding in the shadows, where as Superman is the big boy scout out in the open willing to help despite been told by every one they don t want it.

Pencils are by the Brazilian artist Adriana Melo and are at a standard I believe this book deservers, his Clark Kent has the look of Christopher Reeve which is not a bad thing.

So far this is a great story with good artwork and worth a few £ / $ of anyone's money, my only regret is at the end of this story arch the book will make way for the new DC revamp,it will be sadly missed.