Fantastic Universes

“Copycats” – Finale Writer: Joëlle Jones Artists: Joëlle Jones & Laura Allred Review by Adam Ray This ongoing series started with Selina’s departure from Gotham City and the Dark Knight. She left Batman out of love, so we found her sad and alone, at the beginning of this series. The ongoing story then led her to deal with the a corrupt politician, and her effects on the people. This issue in particular contains many unique choices in form and style. Jones keeps this up with strong choices of characters and how they interact. Some series end with a strong dramatic moment, and a great deal of action. This one does too, but in a much more nuanced fashion. The action sequences in this issue are the most dynamic I’ve seen in a very long time. Most of the book is made up of double page spreads. Jones’ artwork reads in bars across both pages, ignoring any sense of a spine, until the end of the issue. As Catwoman escapes the bowels of Ms Creel’s mano...

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers] Writer:  Adam Glass Artists:  Robson Rocha & Daniel Henriques (Main story) Max Dunbar (Roundhouse Backup story) Colors:  Sunny Gho (Main story) Ivan Plascencia (Roundhouse Backup story) Letters:  Rob Leigh Review by Steve J. Ray Summary “THE GIRL WHO FEEL FROM THE SKY” and “THE SAME OLD GROUND.” Yes, that’s right folks, Teen Titans #25 is an “Extra-Sized Anniversary Issue” with two stories, both of which I absolutely loved. When the creative teams changed after issue #19, I was left questioning so much about this series. The huge bonkers  Dark Nights: Metal  event changed the landscape of DC Comics, and this series was one the ones most affected. Writer Adam Glass changed the team, not just by adding new members, but by completely altering the feel and atmosphere of the book. At first I didn’t think I was going to like the new direction, and in a way I was right; I don’t like the...

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers] Writers : Scott Lobdell & Fabian Nicieza Artists : Chris Mooneyham & Garry Brown Colors:  Hi-Fi Letters:  Andworld Design Review by Steve J. Ray  Summary “KNIGHT TERRORS”: PART SIX. Jonathan Crane has been  psycho-analyzing Ric Grayson , completely oblivious to the fact that the young man is the focus of his own decades long obsession. As Robin, then later as Nightwing, the former Dick Grayson’s lack of fear was the one thing that terrified Crane himself. In his guise as Scarecrow the psychologist turned psychopath decided to alter his fear-gas, so instead of creating terror it would now remove it. This causes the citizens of Bludhaven to act out their darkest desires without fear of the consequences. Positives Writers Scott Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza have not only managed to turn Nightwing’s life upside down, but by having our hero become not just Scarecrow’s enemy but also his inspira...

“Batharsis” Writer: Scott Peterson Artists: Kelley Jones & Michelle Madsen Review by Steve J. Ray Have you ever wondered about your place in the world? Will your life have any lasting effect on people? Will you be remembered when you’re gone? Has your presence on this Earth affected the world in any way that’s meaningful? Most people live their lives trying to please themselves, or those closest to them. Batman isn’t most people. Over the course of the  last couple of issues  The Scarecrow has been trying to break Batman down in the scariest and most hurtful way possible. The Dark Knight has given his life to helping others, but what if that was the wrong course of action? How has the world benefited from Batman’s struggle? Has he made a difference at all? What if all he’s done has just made things worse? What if Gotham City would have been a far better place if he’d never existed at all? Wow. Deep stuff… and all from the glossy pages of a comic-book. Yet thi...

Writer: Jeph Loeb Artist: Tim Sale Review by Eric Lee It's Christmas and Batman and the Joker are both hunting for Holiday. Say yes to the Bat-wrapping paper. First off, check out the cover. The way artist Tim Sale makes it primarily white draws the readers' eyes to the Joker and the presents. The white also implies snow, since it is a Christmas issue. Finally, check out that Bat-symbol wrapping paper. So cool. Joker for the Holidays The issue opens with the Joker reading the newspaper about the Holiday killings. The paper displays shockingly graphic pictures, while the Joker sings Christmas carols, until he declares, "I hate that song." The Joker gets his songs mixed up That's not surprising, because the Joker is not singing any particular song. He went from Happy Holidays  to Living in a Winter Wonderland. The Joker proceeds to gather the presents and leaves a tied up family in their house, while quoting  The Grinch.   Sale uses the back...