comic books

Subtle.

Selina needs new drapes, Batman hunts down the escaped, and the story loses shape in this thirty-seventh installment of DC's weekly Batman jamboree. Batman's just now getting to tracking down the Arkham inmates that remain at large after the asylum collapsed. I guess you can only look at Hush in that big fish bowl for so long before getting bored. Meanwhile, Selina is living the high life of criminal kingpin, Jason Bard is too little too late, and Batwing's armor is haunted (yawn). It's all very impressively unimpressive.

Batman and Hush clash, Julia gets a trashed, and Bruce Wayne loses his cash, all in this thirty-fourth issue of DC's weekly Batman hootnanny. This seemingly ends the Hush portion of the story, with the bandaged baddie's defeat after several issues of encounters. However, things are only going to get worse for Batman because Hush's plan to cut him off from his resources has been a resounding effect. The city has taken control of Wayne's assets, Julia is down after being injured by Hush, Alfred grows ever wearier, and there's an even more startling revelation.

The key is blood, Bard should have gone "thud", and the Batsuit has crud on this thirty-second chapter of DC's weekly Batman hullabaloo. The new Commissioner of Gotham apparently hasn't learned his lesson and is still working with Hush. Batwing is finally rescued from the hole that was once Arkham Asylum. Julia is reunited with her father. Finally, Hush exploits Batman's own devices in a scheme to frame him. But the issue doesn't feel too jam-packed with events.

"Eh, it waxes and wanes. Look at Jason Todd."

Kicking ass with brawn and class! With brutality and sass, they break the black mass, and boy do they have the brass for the task! It's the team up that, frankly, I never would have thought of wanting! In this thirty-first issue of DC's weekly Batman happening, Alfred Pennyworth fights his way from out of the wreckage of Arkham Asylum with the help of the masked beefcake Bane, who, despite not actually being very insane, was being housed at Arkham, probably for the safety of other prisoners (I think it's that case for a number of Batman foes). Meanwhile, Hush brings the hurt to Spoiler and Batman develops a rapport with Julia. This issue does a great job making up for that lackluster previous one.

Spectre makes Blackfire humble, Arkham Asylum crumbles, Batwing takes a tumble, and Batman feels like he's fumbled in this thirtieth entry in DC's weekly Batman (melo)drama. With Blackfire's plans stomped by an irate Spirit of Vengeance and Arkham a giant crater, it's possible that we're finally seeing the finish line for all this supernatural nonsense that's getting in the way of the battle with Hush, Catwoman's rise to power, and Jim Gordon's situation (when was the last time we even saw Jimbo?). And frankly, this issue seems a little padded. Just like this particular part of this series.

Yeah... this needed a full page. Just like it needed two issues.

Arkham is glowing, Blackfire's power's growing, so what was Riddler knowing, in this twenty-ninth of who knows how many parts in DC's weekly Batman shindig. I know we haven't really been back to the supernatural Arkham storyline in a little while, but I'm already glad this part of it will be done soon, because it's the least interesting part of this series. Batwing is just Batman as a young Iron Man, the Joker's Daughter needs to go away as soon as possible, and it's weird that with all this going on, The Spectre hasn't come out of Corrigan to stomp the crap out of Deacon Blackfire (though that's set for next issue, it looks like). We know that, based on the beginning of DC's new Arkham Manor series that the asylum is not long for the world, so let's blow this pop stand, already, guys.

Red Hood spills beers, Jason Bard's almost smears, and there's a whole lot of tears, in this twenty-eighth episode of DC comics' ongoing Batman saga. Jason Bard pays a price for his betrayal, Croc loses a friend, Batman arrives too late, and Catwoman gives in to the family business. I mean, moreso, I suppose. This issue will see big consequences in Catwoman's solo title, and I'm sure probably some influence on Batgirl's new arc.

"I'm Batman and I hang out in graveyards."

Ahhh, it's Schwarzwald! BIG O!

Selina rejects, Steph directs, Barbara aims to correct, and Croc? Croc just wrecks. All this happens in this twenty-seventh installment of the weekly Batman escapade. A new player called the Ferryman, or "Mr. Bone", appears, hoping to punish Catwoman for past encounters. We also see the return of a Grant Morrison villain, Eduardo Flamingo, a face-eating maniac with flamboyant tendencies. But the bulk of the issue deals with a crime boss looking to leverage what a child knows about Catwoman to get his own vengeance against her. But honestly, he's not a very compelling character.

Bruce's wounds gush, the origin of Hush, and Steph's bravado is crushed, all features of this twenty-sixth entry in DC's weekly Batman series. Batman's about as good at keeping track of Alfred as he is the evidence he gave Jason Bard to clear Jim Gordon, because damn, poor ol' Al ends this issue in some deep trouble. But Batman is a busy guy taking on the chaos all around the city thanks to Hush and Bard's machinations. Will Batman find his nemesis in time to stop him from his greater plan? And more importantly, is he even the grand mastermind behind this all?