Batman, Robin and Red Robin prepare to defend Gotham against the Black Ring wearing undead hordes.

The battle tactics of Gotham’s defenders fall into the cheesy clichés of any zombie story.  I was hoping that Blackest Night would steer clear of this pitfall, but no luck.  The predictable return of Dick and Tim’s parents as Black Ring Corps members adds a little of emotional tension, but for the most part it falls flat.  Tomasi’s dialogue between Dick and Damien is fun and appropriately real for the characters. I found his witty banter to be the star of this issue.

Ardian Syaf’s art is magnificent.  He achieves a fluid dynamism pulling t reader from panel to panel.  His polished skills make this series feel like it’s important in the big scheme of all things Blackest Night.  We will have to wait and see if that’s true.

3.5 out of 5

“The Million Dollar Return of Batgirl!”

I’m going to start by saying that I’ve always liked the character, especially the Barbara Gordon version.  Actually, I guess you could say that I also liked Cassandra Cain a lot too.  I collected all the issues of the last Batgirl book.  A book, which I might add, was very good for the first couple of years before it went downhill at the end of the run.  I even picked up the last mini-series that just got released not that long ago.  Even with all that, I have to ask: “Do we really need another Bat-related title right now with all the other new ones that have come out?”

It doesn’t help that that the Spoiler is starting this issue as the new Batgirl.  To begin with, I have never really felt anything for the Stephanie Brown character.  It’s not that I dislike her, so much as I don’t care about her.  That hurts the book for me right away.

It was nice to see so many guest stars and both of the former Batgirls.  I also liked the way that they tried to tie this title in with the rest of the Batman titles.  I thought the story writing was ok and the art did its job in serving the writing.

I will go on record to say that if they keep Miss Brown as the new Batgirl and don’t do something radically different with this book, it wont make it for more than 12 issues.

1.5 out 5

“Blackest Night invades Gotham”

Blackest Night: Batman #1 is the first issue of three issues.  This is the first of the mini-series brought out by D.C. to supplement the Blackest Night on-going storylines.  The story starts with the new Batman and Robin investigating the desecration of Bruce Wayne’s grave by the Black Hand.  It seems that the Blackest Night is going to greatly affect the denizens of Gotham but also another of the D.C. Universes heroes: Deadman.  We also get to see several of Batman’s deceased villains return from the grave to cause their own brand of havoc.

I’ll have to say that I can get very leary of books that are brought out to support the big event titles, in this case Blackest Night.  Many times in the past, these books and series fall far short from the quality and interest generated by the main books.  But, I found this issue interesting and having the potential of adding to Blackest Night, instead of diluting it.

This is a solid book that I hope continues to entertain.

4 out of 5