Batman # 852 to 854 - Dark Knight Dark City

Writer: Peter Milligan
Artist/Inks: Kieron Dwyer/Dennis Janke
Publisher: DC
Published: 1990
Cover: Mike Mignola

Batman's back. Back again.

Grant Morrison has finally returned us Bruce Wayne from the hands of time. In the process he has reinvented the Bat Origin Mythos, inspired/based on the 3 issue Batman story Dark City. I'm not going to get into too much detail on this connection as other blogs will do a much better job than me. However a quick recap is necessary to help understand the opening pages of Batman and Robin #16. In Dark City a bunch of cultists have prepared a woman for sacrifice in a hidden basement of a barn. This ritual is to summon the demon Barbathos...but the cultists chicken out, bolt and seal the trap door to the ritual room, leaving the woman to perish.
 
During the final issue of the Dark City mini series, Batman has been manipulated into returning to that same room where he frees the ghost of the woman. Take a look at the below image...take a good long look at this climatic moment of the Dark City run that Grant Morrison has used to usher in the New Batman of the 21st century...


Pretty good right...good guys win...but wait...why, in the last panel, is Batman not wearing any pants?! I can picture it now: 


Batman: "So before I rescue you from this burning inferno, I'm gonna need to slip into something comfortable." Zip "Goodbye pants - hello freedom!"


And there you have it...the story that set the stage to re-define our beloved Batman; our beloved Pants-less Batman.

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Fan Expo 2010 - Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne # 3

Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Yanick Paquette
Ink/Color: Michel Lacombe/ Nathan Fairbairn
Publisher: DC
Published: August 2010

Part 3 of The Return of Bruce Wayne has Batman visiting ye ol' pirate days.

What stands out in this particular issue is Yanick's stellar artwork. The guy's a pro! I also had the chance to meet him while at the Fan Expo. Of all the artists/writers I met, he was certainly the most lively and open with his thoughts. Yanick hails from Quebec, and when I arrived he was knee deep in a conversation with another fan regarding the state affairs of European and French comics. I had no idea what they were talking about, but it was fun to listen to nonetheless.

While perusing his original artwork for this issue, I asked him how long it takes him to do a page. He told me he does a page a day. I was taken aback and expressed my amazement. His response, with a diabolical hammed up glee: "I'm a machine!"

I then went on to express how much I enjoyed the look of this issue, especially his attention to the skulls and bones bridge. Yanick said he had created a 3d model to figure out the angles, which makes sense, because his bridge of bones is the most mechanically solid bridge I have ever seen rendered. In the above credits I see that Michel was the inker on this issue, but when I saw the originals, they were already inked. I never thought to ask how the two of them collaborate, but let me just tell you, his black and white originals for this issue are outstanding! They look fantastic! (Check this link for an idea of the level of skill Yanick is at.)

Yanick then went onto discuss his working relationship with DC and Grant Morrison, which is startling/fascinating unto itself. If you ever get a chance to meet Yanick, let me just tell you, he's an interesting/fun guy.

Fan Expo 2010 - Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne # 1

Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Chris Sprouse
Inks/Colors: Karl Story/Guy Major
Publisher: DC
Published: July 2010

As only Grant Morrison can pen and Chris Sprouse can envision, the first issue of Bruce Wayne's return from "the dead" hits like a rumbling thunder storm. Near the conclusion of Final Crisis, Batman was hurled back in time to the dawn of civilization. It is at this point where The Return of Bruce Wayne kicks off. Essentially, issue # 1 is an action packed cave man yarn staring Batman. I know - Awesome.

So as the title above mentions I recently attended the Fan Expo in Toronto and I had the opportunity to meet Chris Sprouse. He comes across as a real nice guy. I think I may have gotten a small reaction out of him when I said his version of Batman was "a manly man's man." I sincerely meant this as a compliment, because Batman is normally a clothed figure, shrouded in darkness, so it's a interesting change to see him shirtless, but still wearing his leotards. Plus, Chris Sprouse has got the whole alpha male look nailed down. It don't get more manly than his drawing of men. (Again, that's a compliment.)

Our conversation then turned to how the internet is essentially a stomping ground of negativity. He mentioned that some complaints on the internet of his book were that one of the cavemen was blond, and that there was a giant bat thingy in the book. I don't read comic book message boards generally, but I wasn't surprised to hear this. If there is one thing the internet has encouraged, it's complaining. Which is fine in of itself, but due to the sheer quantity, it can be a bit much. So as Sprouse mentioned, he just turns it off and does his thing.


With this in mind, I sometimes wonder if comic creators read comments, reviews, or reactions to their work? I think they would almost have to, considering it's vital to their success to know what is working and not working with their audience; but at the same time, where do they draw the line? I know when I was in elementary school, I used to read and re-read my report card comments. I was obsessed with knowing 'my areas of improvement'. But then one day I just turned off that side of my personality. It wasn't getting me anywhere. In the end it was a relief. I think many comic book creators also feel this sense of relief once they turn off the message boards. No point getting charged up just because some fanboy didn't dig your version of a cave man, even if he is the manliest man of cave mans...





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All Star Superman # 10

Writer: Grant Morrison

Artist: Frank Quitely

Colorist: Jamie Grant

Publisher: DC

Published: May 2008

All Star Superman is probably one of the finest stories to emerge in the last decade. I was reminded of this particular issue after reading an interview with Grant Morrison. (It is a great interview, and I highly recommend it.)

Issue 10 has Superman continuing his journey to make things right and do as much good as he can before his inevitable demise due to solar poisoning. In this issue Superman creates life, frees an imprisoned nation, cures all disease, and in one of the most touching moments in the series, saves a life.

With one page, broken into 5 panels, Morrison, Quitely, and Grant reminded me why I love comics. As Morrison states, one of the things he hoped readers of All Star Superman would take away with them was that a few words and some figure drawings would have the ability to "make you cry, make your heart soar,..."

Well I nearly lost it in this issue. I've been feeling glum as of late. Very glum. But after reading this issue I feel a little better. This is going to sound weird, but I really like that Superman chooses to save us not because he can, or because he needs to, but because he wants to...(alluding to Mark Waid)...it's nice to know that Superman believes in us. That we're worth it.

Zatanna # 1 of 4

Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist/Inker: Ryan Sook/Mick Gray
Publisher: DC
Published: June 2005
Ladies Night # 3

Zatanna is, as some folks say, a second stringer when it comes to heroes. This is something that she is painfully aware of. In this issue, she is in a superhero low self-esteem meeting discussing her frustrations and past. She is a spellaholic who can't use her magic anymore because she can't speak backwards anymore.

Turns out she did some bad magic during a group seance to battle evil and she ended up summoning a monster, which killed her fellow magicians. To top it off, her old man died in a similar fashion, dying in a seance years before. (see Swamp Thing # 50)

So, she's a loser. But as everyone knows, with losers, they never really turn out to be just that. She's got 3 other issues to prove it!

All Star Superman # 1

Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Frank Quitely
Colorist: Jamie Grant
Publisher: DC
Published: November 2005

This is Morrison's definitive take on the Man of Steel. In 12 issues alone, Morrison is able to deliver all the greatest elements of Superman. Everything from the bumbling Clark Kent, his folks, Lois Lane, Bizarro, Krypto, and even Joe Shuster are present. All Star Superman is absolutely amazing as far as I'm concerned.

Issue 1 begins the end of Superman. Dr. Leo Quintum and his team of scientists are trying to capture a bit of the sun. Their exposition is sabotaged by a clone of Lex Luthor, which will soon destroy their vessel and them. Thankfully, Superman races to the rescue, defeats the clone, and brings home Quintum and his team. However, after the rescue Superman is diagnosed with one year left to live. Since Superman is a living solar panel, during his rescue mission he was over exposed to the Sun's radiation. This overdose of radiation has provided Superman with increased strength and additional powers, but also ensuring his cells a slow death. Let the awesomeness begin.