All of the Bat titles are struggling to find their footing in a world without Bruce Wayne and this title seems to be more lost than the others.
Writer Judd Winick is just not hitting a stride with this storyline. There are pieces that never come together nor hold our attention. War is raging between Two-Face and the Penguin and the greatest causality is us, the reader who bought this crap. Dick Grayson’s internal monologues are ridiculously monotonous. The plot is not much better.
Mark Bagley’s pencils are as inconsonant as the plotting. The hyper action panels fail to provide subtle details to refine the characters. Batman looks like he’s jacked up on Botox, incapable of cracking a frown or smile.
This issue ends with yet another “Batman” demanding of Grayson “Where’s the real Batman?” I am wondering that myself because this Batman is a bore.
1.5 out of 5
“Plenty of dead heroes to choose from in this Universe!”
Blackest Night: Titans #1 is the first issue of the third series to be brought out to tie-in with the Blackest Night main series. This one should have a lot to bring to the plate considering how many dead Titans there are! But because of that, I’m concerned about how many they might try to bring back and jam into this series. If they all comeback, that could be a real issue for our heroes…I think there may be more dead Titans than live ones!
The cover pretty much lets you know that Terra was coming back, but i was curious as to which one. They decided on the original traitor. I have to wonder if the other one might show-up too. I have to say that Garth really took it in stride when it’s revealed that he was kissing a corpse! Darn that Lilith for tricking him!
A lot of the issue focuses on the Hawk and Dove characters. I like those characters and I’m glad to see that they recovered from the Titans East Special where they were gravely injured. But, I have to say that I wasn’t remotely surprised by the end of the issue. I saw it coming from a mile away. I’m sorry to say that the predictability of the ending took something away from the issue for me.
The book still was a good read and I will still stick around for the next issue, but it is the weakest of the three mini-series so far.
3.5 out of 5
In this final issue, this three-part mini adds depth to the many ring corps as they prepare for battle in Blackest Night. Divided into three parts, two original stories and a neat commentary on Blackest Night issue #0, this issue works, but it’s not outstanding.
Guru of all that is Green and involving Lanterns, Geoff Johns scripts the two stories. First, he tackles Kilowog’s rookie Lantern tale. Smartly written, but predictable, Johns gives Lantern fans a cute story about a fan favorite. I found the plot lacking creativity, but amusing. The second short stars the Green Lantern Arisia. Once gain, it’s a cute story. Johns effectively depicts her love of the Corps and the legacy of the Lanterns within her lineage. Lastly, we are treated to the sketch version of a few of the pages from Blackest Night #0. Johns and the editors weigh in on their thoughts from panel to panel. This was interesting, being able to see how these minds worked their way through the issue.
The art was average. I felt lesser pencils were assigned to these pages, saving the big guns for the two main Lantern titles and Blackest Night.
3 out of 5
Conceptually, this three-part mini-series is promising; delve deeper into the back-stories of some of the major players in the various ring corps of the Green Lantern Universe. However, put simply, it sucked.
Three stories share this issue, the Blue Lantern Corps’ Saint Walker origin tale, an annoying yarn about an adolescent Mongol, and a tease about the Indigo Tribe. Geoff Johns’ Saint Walker is a belabored attempt to show what it takes to really hope; it was preachy and boring. The Mongol tale was a waste of paper.
I was most exciting to learn about the Indigo Tribe (one of the reasons I bought this issue). At best, it’s a cheap tease that last for a few pages. While it boasts the strongest art of the three stories, we only learn that the Indigo Tribe speak a language unknown even to the Green Lanterns.
This is an oversized issue of nothing special.
1 out of 5
Dr. Lou’s Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1 review
“Stories of the Rainbow Corps Revealed”
Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1 is the first issue of a three issue weekly series that is a supplement to the current Blackest Night mega-event. The current issue has three stories pertaining to the Blue Lantern Corps, Yellow Lantern Corps and the Indigo Tribe.
The first story is by Geoff Johns and Jerry Ordway and deals with the past of Saint Walker of the Blue Lantern Corps. The tale is meant to show why Walker has great hope and why he is ultimately chosen for the Blue Corps.
The second story is by Peter J. Tomasi and Chris Samnee and it deals with the childhood of Mongul and why he is on the path of life that he is.
The third and last story gives the first reveal of the Indigo tribe and their leader which the tribe is named in a regular tale. It shows their interaction with a member of the Green Lantern Corps and Sinestro Corps that were fighting one another.
None of the tales are particularly memorable and this book does little to enhance the main Blackest Night mini-series. Its ok to read but its certainly not a necessity by any means.
2 out of 5
Ray’s Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1 review
With Grant Morrison taking the new flagship of “Batman and Robin,” writer Judd Winick fills in some gaps with this issue. Focusing more on the new Batman, Winick gives us his take on the Dick Grayson’s growing pains.
I found the dialogue to be adolescent and trite. How many more times is Dick going to complain about having to wear a cape? Dick and Alfred going on about the cape’s weight being too heavy and it not being conducive to Dick’s fighting style was putting me to sleep; since when was Grayson such a bitch? I really wish Alfred slapped him- bitch slapped him.
This issue jumps around to fill in some Gotham gaps. The war between Penguin and Two-Face is finally getting some attention, although it wasn’t very exciting. As Batman changes, so does Commissioner Gordon, trying to adjust to this new crime-fighting pal. There were some nice little character moments throughout the issue, but nothing stellar.
Mark Bagley is drawing some dazzling pages. The opening page’s battle-wounded Batman is masterful and rich. I am particularly impressed that you can actually see Dick Grayson’s feature under the cowl. The pages of Commissioner Gordon are subtle and refined, a combination of strong inking and smart coloring. Batman’s muscular physic was a little overkill for my taste, but still nicely drawn.
Bagley’s art helps to save this issue’s bland story. Nothing of real consequence happens; “Batman” is definitely playing second fiddle to “Batman and Robin.”
2.5 out of 5
Writer Judd Winick takes the reins of the Batman flagship with a new hero wearing the cape and cowl. With last week’s fantastic first issue of “Batman and Robin”, I wasn’t expecting much form this one. What could be done with this title that would be relevant?
Glad to say, I was very pleasantly surprised. It fits more naturally between “Battle for the Cowl” and “Batman and Robin” #1. Dick Grayson gives his reasons for abandoning the Batcave for a new base of operations. Winick provides the context for Alfred and Dick Grayson to mourn Bruce and prepare for the future. The emotions were natural and unforced in their honesty. The humanity behind the tights and capes was authentic and tragic, yet didn’t linger too long with the tissues.
Ed Benes draws a sharp Batman book. With a number of panels needing to convey raw emotion, Benes is up for the task. Of particular note are the faces of Alfred and Dick as they share their feelings about each other and Bruce. He captures a powerful moment when Dick’s reflection merges with Batman’s cowl. It makes you want to clap or cheer.
Batman’s main title is in good hands with this creative team. The final panel is a true work of art, Batman poised ready to protect and serve – and scare the shit out of the bad guys.
4 out of 5
