Last Two Comics I read for 2017

The year is almost over and I’m trying to crank out all my reviews of stuff I read in 2017.  Here are the last two comic books I read for 2017.

James Tynion IV.  Batman: Detective Comics, Volume 4: Deus Ex Machina. Burbank, CA: DC Comics, December 19th 2017. 144 pp.

4 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

This is volume four of Batman’s Detective Comics.  The volume collects Detective Comics issues #957-962.  In the past I have not really enjoyed Batman working as a team but I think either I am getting used to it or the story for volume four really helped me enjoy it.  I must say though that this volume was enjoyable.

The bulk of the story in this volume is focus on how Batman and his team have to deal with a threat of a robotic being name Ascalon.  Ascalon is sent to Gotham from a secretive group called the Order of St. Dumas that is some kind of brainwashing religious fanatical cult.  His mission is to kill members of the Order of St. Dumas which indicate that is some kind of power struggle has occurred within the group.  What’s interesting is that among Batman’s team there is a guy name Jean-Paul who use to be a part of the Order of St. Dumas.  Jean-Paul’s superhero name is Azreal.  I don’t have as much previous background as other comic book fans but it seems Ascalon is replacement of Azreal’s previous role in the Order of St. Dumas.

In terms of characters I thought the most interesting figure was Zatanna who is a lady magician that Bruce Wayne/Batman sought out for help and whose power and history with Bruce Wayne going back to their early adult years kind of added a human and feminine touch to the story.  Now I know there is Batwoman and Cassandra in Batman’s team but with Zatanna it is different since she’s someone who was formerly interested in Bruce Wayne and has a longer history with him and presumably before Bruce Wayne became Batman.

I thought the major theme in the story line for volume four was interesting.  There’s the question that Zatanna poses of whether any human being can handle the knowledge of knowing what’s going to happen in the future and how that can change us negatively.  I think seeking knowledge is great but omniscience is not something for man.  Actually omniscience is best left as God’s unique attribute.  While that’s not explicit I thought the theme of God in regards to the Order of St. Dumas warrants that implication. In fact I thought of the villain Azrael’s desire to search for the truth was also a foil and contrast with Zatanna.  Overall I don’t think the book is trying to say we shouldn’t seek knowledge and the truth; the villain Azrael was far from noble in not wanting to know the truth and for suppressing it.  But there’s a sense in which the book is trying to say there is a balance between the two but also to realize man’s finite limitation.

The volume also had a brief story of a character name Spoiler.  Spoiler use to be part of Batman’s team but took a turn of going at it alone in trying to stop the bad guys in a way that’s different than Batman.  She’s driven by the fact that villains are drawn to Batman and she’s affected by the collateral damage that is the result of villains coming out for attention to fight Batman.  Instead she wants an approach where the superheroes doesn’t get the credit.  It’s a great cliffhanger for what seems to be a future storyline in upcoming issues with DC Comic’s Detective Comics!

NOTE: This book was provided to me free by DC Comics and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

 

Neil Gibson.  Theatrics. London, UK: T Pub, December 12, 2017. 134 pp.

4 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

This is a story that takes place during the Jazz age of the 1920s.  I like historical period based comics and the New York’s urban roaring twenties era mood to the story captured in the art and storyline was a treat.  The story is about Rudy Burns a successful Broadway actor who had it all in terms of the world’s eye: Money, fame, relationship and a best friend who has been with him all the way with his success.  But overnight Rudy would lose all of it when a robbery attack left his face disfigured.

The story did a good job of capturing Rudy at his highest point and also at his lowest.  The writer Neil Gibson really thought through this.  Readers will be drawn into the story and see the contrast and people’s reaction towards Rudy.  I thought the story capture the shallowness of the entertainment industry and also the sad plight of those who come and go in terms of being celebrities.  The book really captured well the psychological trauma that Rudy went through and how broken he has become.

The story itself is not finished with this book; the ending merely sets up things up for a sequel.  I’m interested to see what the next installment to this original and creative story would take us.

NOTE: This book was provided to me free by Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.