AQUAMAN #29/ Written by DAN ABNETT/ Art by STJEPAN SEJIC/ Letters by STEVE WANDS/ Published by DC COMICS
Reviewed by MATT MORRISON
Arthur sits on the sideline for most of this issue as the action focuses on the other heroes working to save Atlantis from the excesses of the usurper, King Rath. Part of me wishes we had gotten these stories sooner as most of the characters involved – Garth and Vulko, especially – haven’t featured in the series since before Rebirth started. Garth’s background in particular has been in serious need of fleshing out. Thankfully, Abnett has begun to give the original Aqualad some much needed definition and this book has never looked better with Stjepan Sejic handling the art duties.
BATMAN: THE DROWNED #1/ Written by DAN ABNETT/ Art by TYLER KIRKHAM & PHILIP TAN/ Colors by ARIF PRIANTO & DEAN WHITE/ Letters by TOM NAPOLITANO/ Published by DC COMICS
Reviewed by MATT MORRISON
Focused upon the Dark Knight from a world where Bryce Wayne (Bruce Wayne’s female counterpart on this Earth) transformed herself into a water-breathing, light-fearing monstrosity to kill the Atlanteans of her world, there’s little life to this issue. Dan Abnett’s script is strong enough and The Drowned is easily the most unique and unsettling of The Dark Knights to date. Unfortunately, the formula for most of the Dark Knights solo-stories (Dark Knight shows up, Justice League counterpart shows up, they fight, Dr. Fate shows up to save the counterpart) is starting to get stale. A larger problem is that the artwork is conflicted, with two artists and two colorists spoiling any chance at a uniform look for the book.
BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT #1 (of 8)/ Written by SEAN MURPHY/ Art by SEAN MURPHY/ Colors by MATT HOLLINGSWORTH/ Letters by TODD KLEIN/ Published by DC COMICS
Reviewed by SARAH MORAN
Batman and The Joker are often depicted as two sides of the same coin, the ying and yang of Gotham City, but never have the two characters been flipped so completely – Batman, the insane villain; Joker, the fearless crusader. That’s the premise behind Sean Murphy’s Batman: White Knight, and for as hacky as it initially seemed, this first issue does promise an intriguing look at what makes these icons tick. Sure, there are certain liberties being taken here – like Joker being more a prankster than psychotic murderer, while Batman’s more akin to Frank Miller’s vengeful brute – but this is an elseworlds story. Along with some topical points on corruption, culpability, and police brutality (which, surprisingly, don’t feel too forced), plus Murphy’s scratchy inks and Hollingsworth muted, almost dingy colors, White Knight looks to be a most interesting exploration of not only Batman and Joker, but the city that made them.
GREEN ARROW #33/ Written by BENJAMIN PERCY/ Art by JAMAL CAMPBELL/ Published by DC COMICS
Reviewed by MATT MORRISON
Fresh off twin victories saving Gotham and destroying The Ninth Circle’s spy-satellite, Oliver Queen has returned home to stand trial on murder charges. Unfortunately, despite Black Canary finding the alleged victim alive, Oliver’s life isn’t about to get any easier thanks to the return of a villain from Oliver’s past. Benjamin Percy has written the perfect jumping on issue for those readers lured in by last month’s tie-in with Dark Nights: Metal and guest artist Jamal Campbell proves a match for the other excellent artists who regularly work on this title.
TITANS #16/ Written by DAN ABNETT/ Art by BRETT BOOTH/ Inks by NORM RAPMUND/ Colors by ANDREW DALHOUSE/ Published by DC COMICS
Reviewed by MATT MORRISON
In the past, I’ve praised Titans for being remarkably good with how accessible it is to new readers. This issue proves a sad exception to that rule. Even knowing what has come before makes it difficult to follow the action of this issue and I have no idea how to explain the last page. Brett Booth’s tendency to draw every character in forced poses with their mouths open doesn’t help matters and his berserk-ing Donna Troy looks more goofy than fearsome.
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Kabooooom! 