Fantastic Universes

“Monster Bender” Writer: Dave Wielgosz Artist: Sumit Kumar Color Artist: Romulo Fajardo Jr. Letterer: Tom Napolitano Review by Steve J. Ray When DC sent us their first-look  preview of Man-Bat #1 , at the beginning of the year, I was worried for Kirk Langstrom. I’m a huge fan of James Tynion IV, and Ram V.’s  Justice League Dark , where Dr. Langstrom finally tamed the beast within and became a truly quirky, funny and brilliant character. Thankfully, Dave Wielgosz has calmed my sorrow by setting this tale before Kirk’s membership in the League. The version of Man-Bat we get in this issue is far closer to the original version of the character, as created by Frank Robbins, Julius Schwartz, and Neal Adams (Detective Comics #400, June 1970). The creature is huge, powerful, and angry. Having grown up with precisely this kind of Man-Bat, I found this issue hugely enjoyable, particularly when a certain Dark Knight appears on the scene. Art That Soars The art by Sumit Kumar and Romulo...

“ Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity “- Book Seven Writer: Kami Garcia Artists: Mico Suayan and Jason Badower Color Artist: Annette Kwok Letterers: Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Tyler Smith Review by Kendra Hale When  we left  Book Six , Harley was in a forced confrontation with John Kelly, who had moseyed his way into GCPD with the express purpose of a conversation. Both sides of the table were dealing with a lot emotionally, none of which was easy in the slightest. We were left on a cliff-hanger and  Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanit y #7 puts us in a race against time. Let’s dive in! Evolution Questions are being answered, but the crescendo’s far from over as Harley tries to hunt down Kelly, as he prepares for his grand finale. Front row tickets included. There’s a lot going on in this issue, to say the least. Everything’s coming home to roost. Will Harley be able to live with her decisions? Only time will tell.  She’s certainly in foreign territory, and events are hitt...

“A Sign”, and “Mask Alert” Writers: Mariko Tamaki and Joshua Williamson Artists: Dan Mora and Giannis Milonogiannis Color Artist: Jordie Bellaire Letterers: Aditya Bidikar and ALW’s Troy Peteri Review by Steve J. Ray OK, as far as I’m concerned DC’s  Future State  initiative is a runaway, roaring success.  Dark Detective  #2  builds on the excellence of the  debut issue , and also brings with it a solid back-up story, featuring Jason Todd, the Red Hood. If this is how good  Detective Comics  is going to be when Mariko Tamaki takes over the series after  Future State , then I’m so glad that it’s one of the books that I review, and collect. The way this series already feels like a continuation of Peter J. Tomasi’s run, while delivering something intriguing, exciting, and brand new, makes this title a joy to read. I honestly only have one complaint, because I wish the series would run for more than just four issues. Seeing Bruce Wayne without hi...

“ Batman: White Knight Presents Harley Quinn “- Book Four Writers: Katana Collins and Sean G. Murphy Artist: Matteo Scalera Color Artist: Dave Stewart Letterer: AndWorld Design Review by Kendra Hale The  last issue  was an absolute whirlwind. A number of secrets came to light and we learned more about our villains, and also about the screen stars being targeted. Harley also made some new discoveries relating to the man she is partnered with, Hector. This led her to where  Batman: White Knight Presents Harley Quinn  #4 begins; in jail, talking to Bruce. Don’t Save Me Harley has found herself with the one person whose advice she holds above all others, Bruce. After the most recent events, she’s questioning her abilities and herself. A flashback to the night that Joker had his infamous fall into the acid brings certain truths to life.  Readers learn that Harley’s not the only one questioning things, as we get a shift to the villains themselves. Starlet and the Prod...

“Future State: Suicide Squad” – Book One Writers: Robbie Thompson & Jeremy Adams Artists: Javier Fernandez & Fernando Pasarin Color Artists: Alex Sinclair & Jeromy Cox Letterer: Wes Abbott Review by Max Byrne Future State Suicide Squad #1  is an engaging read that constantly keeps the reader guessing. Unveiling a Task Force X that’s extremely different from anything we have seen before, albeit with an old favourite at the helm, writer Robbie Thompson manages to avoid making this book feel like a rehash of previous Squad adventures. In fitting with the overall flavour of the  Future   State  books, Thompson truly made me feel that this was a very different time setting, with an innovative status quo to match at hand. The most interesting part of this new team is that they’ve been modelled on the Justice League. Yes, they’re still the same collection of rotters and miscreants, but clothed in garb that evokes the classic JL line-up. The similarity does end t...

"The Great Train Robbery” Writer: Ram V Artist: Otto Schmidt Letterer: Tom Napolitano Review by Adam Ray The way ahead seems bleak. We cannot leave our homes and the economy is in the toilet; and that’s today, in the real world. The state of Gotham City in  Future State Catwoman  #1  is even more severe. In this issue we’re given the vision of a city being evacuated and  Batman dead , but we could see a shining figure for those in his shadow. I have high hopes for Catwoman’s immense organisational, and leadership skills. If reading Charles Dickens from a young age has taught me anything, it’s that street kids get the job done every time. The greatest thief in DC Comics is at her very best in these pages. We’re given many quick, consecutive panels, and flashes of a ticking clock throughout. The time feels strained, and the movements are frantic. It draws a reader into the action. The colour scheme does wonders for making this future seem lived in, and full of despair....