Review: Batman Earth One

Batman Earth One

Writer: Geoff Johns

Illustrator: Gary Frank

The Review:

You can re-write Batman’s origin so many times. Of course I feel like there is somethings that have to stay the same:

• His parents die in an alley behind a theatre.
• He needs to see a bat somewhere to inspire his costume traits.
• He needs to be rich.
• He needs to be in the spotlight.
• He needs inventions.

Which is what we get here. Another interpretation of the usual. Which I guess is fine, any drastic changes and people scream bloody murder. What I did like about this is the change from being invincible. I personally believe Batman to be written as a “invincible” character. He’s written to win. Of course we have instances where he loses, KnightFall, No Man’s Land (kinda), and R.I.P. Those were the times when things changed and people paid attention, then Batman goes back to normal, being invincible. I liked all those story lines mostly because a good character isn’t invincible, he’s like us just scarred. Here in Earth One, he’s weaker and makes mistakes. I like that.

Watching Batman’s toys break is a cool little move Geoff partakes in. After all Batman should be able to adapt, move – when are we going to get a parkour Batman. I didn’t like they way alfred was portrayed but everything else fell together nicely and most importantly Geoff stayed away from using the Joker. Instead we find Mayor Cobblepot a.k.a. The Penguin running the show.

The artwork is amazing. I’ve always liked Gary Frank’s art. It’s modern and clean. Every page is amazing. I think maybe some of the detail boxed work could have been enlarged or made more noticeable. I found myself going back once to find out why something happened. I happened to read comics fast, kinda skipping over art unless it’s in my face.

I liked this book. I also liked Superman: Earth One which I preferred the art over the story, but here it’s pretty equal and tells a great story. I would liek to see something wore risque, even though I read Stan Lee’s Batman and thought that was horrible. So maybe sticking to what works, we keep us readers satisfied, eitherway, I liked to see Batman get beat the hell up more often. Maybe lose some fingers or an arm. “Adapt Batman! Adapt!”

Grab it on:

Amazon U.S.

Amazon U.K.

TFAW.com

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Review: The Walking Dead Book 1

The Walking Dead Book 1 by Robert Kirkman

Reviewed by L. Vera

If you watch the show, then you’ll know a bit about this book. Of course, things are far from the tv series. Many twist and devices show are here but there also many that are absent. So let’s just forget the show and look at this on a clean plate.

I actually had the pleasure to read the first comic years ago. It kicks off great, a lone man navigating out a hospital and into the world. Months have already gone by and he’s wandering out into this world with no help. He is a cop so we need to assume he does have many skills that help and that’s basically what this character is. Rick, is the leader, yet the group doesn’t know it yet because he has yet to find them.

The book takes a look at Rick finding a group of people and helping them through many issues. He’s brave and strong, and that’s what this group needs. Someone to make those decisions. Just get prepared to see characters die. At least 50% of the characters will be gone by the end of the book. I really feel like Robert Kirkman follows that formula over all the collected books.

Here you’ll read 12 of the comics collected together and it’s well worth it. It’s a hardback yet it feels a little flimsy and cheap. They won’t win any prizes for the binding or cover, but inside you’ll find sketches, lost ideas and other little tid bits, including the Christmas comic with Morgan and Duane Jones. The artwork strong and clean. Maybe being in black and white just naturally feels clean, but that’s okay. I do feel the later books aren’t as crisp as the one. It’s like they got sloppy over time, but this one is a milestone for any comic/zombie fan.

Overall it’s a great read. I have already continued onto the next book and plan on eventually reading all the books out there, and I think if you love zombies and comics then it’s a no brainer, buy this book.

Amazon U.S. link

Amazon U.K. link

TFAW.com link (my favorite place for anything comic book related)