Harley Quinn #4
Writer: Jimmy Palmiotti
Amanda Conner
Artist: Stephanie Roux
Cover: Amanda Conner
The Rundown:
Story begins with Harley covering her bleached white skin with some flesh toned make-up while getting ready for her new job at the nursing home. On her way out she bumps into Tony and they work out a deal where he builds something for Harley, she will let him live rent free for four months. At the nursing home, Harley is having a session with a lady named Mrs Rubenstein, who is telling Harls about how her family never comes visit her. Ever the softy, Harley is choked up a bit by the story. Harley has her next appointments rescheduled to later tonight and proceeds to leave the nursing home.
At a home in the suburbs, a young boy is playing video games and his father is in the basement playing with his train set, while the wife and mother is holding a "Pleasure Party" showing off various "toys" to her female companions. Harley Quinn crashes the party, through the wall riding a bulldozer, and then proceeds to roughly bind the family. She then throws them in the trunk of a car before driving off. While making a stop at a diner to grab herself a meal, Harley is confronted by yet another assassin looking to cash in on the bounty of HQ's head. Before stabbing him in the heart with her fork, she learns that is "Bubba" who set this all up because of her botching a job she was hired to do for him.
Later on, Harley arrives to the the roller derby late, missing her teams game. After asking how she could make it up to her teammates, one sarcastically says crippling the team that beat them would do the trick, HQ takes her seriously and proceeds to run the other team down with her car before driving off. The thumping noise reminds her of the "junk in the trunk". While at the end of a pier, Harley proceeds to tell the family about what Mrs. Rubenstein told her, as she proceeds to kick the son and wife of the edge. She allows the husband to speak and he informs her that they do visit his mother and it is due to her Alzheimer's that she doesn't remember the visits. Harley quickly realizes her mistake, having forgotten to read her patients files. She unties the man, who attempts to save his family from drowning, diving head first of the edge. Turns out it was low tide, and the family is on the beach below safe and sound.
Back at the nursing home, Harley's rescheduled appointment shows up, a man named Sy Borgman. Who informs her that he knows who she really is and how she got the job here. He also tells her about his younger days when he was named Syborg and worked for the Government. He and the country needs her help to finally finish his mission. Harley Quinn agrees to help the old man out as the story ends.
The Review:
Another issue keeping with Harley being a light amongst a dark DC Comics universe. She may be a villain, she is still a bubbly, big heart gal who just happens to be crazy as hell, and has a definite mean streak if provoked. Jimmy and Amanda delivered exactly that, and the innuendos were quite funny and well done. As really, only adults reading the "Pleasure Party" panels really had an idea of what was for sale. Very much like 60's Batman television show was. It may have been just me, but also keeping with the origin of Harley and how gullible she is with her patients and their stories, and seemed to be a reference to her relationship with The Joker. I am hoping this "Bubba" character turns out to be either a bigger named villain or if it is a new character, then someone who is displayed as one and not some throwaway bad guy. Series is only five issues deep, but would like to see Harley develop her own little section within DC Comics. Her own villains for sure. I did like the swerve involving her "killing" the family when she dumps them off the end of the pier. I get more than I prefer in the "child killing" depictions in AMC's The Walking Dead.
The art wasn't great, but it was extremely far from being bad. The story didn't really depict the need for more dramatic panels, and did okay with what action there was. I did like the roller skate being the only thing we see from Harley's retribution for missing the game. I also liked the "Pleasure Party" panels art wise also, as Roux could have went other places in the "toy" department. It was again very much like how things were with 60's Batman television.
Overall, it was a good issue. It has set-up the next issue nicely, with my being a bit intrigued by the retro-cyborg, Syborg. Really like how even Harley's bad girl moments come across as more funny and lighter toned, as people are right, DCU is a dark place, which I like, but comic books like this make for a great break from it. Although it is nice to see her on her own and it is still early, there needs to be more characters either making appearances like they did with Ivy so far.
Stay Nerdy!
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Detective Comics #29
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Art Thibert
Aaron Lopresti
Cover: Guillem March
The Rundown:
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The story begins showing "Gothtopia", a bright and sunny Gotham City, filled with happy and content citizens, while Batman reminds us all that this is not Gotham, this is all a lie. A lie that belongs to the Scarecrow, and a lie he must play along with. Batman is pretending to be under the control of Scarecrow, thanks to his new formulated fear toxin, and must play along in order to maintain his cover. Scarecrow aka Jonathan Crane, is showing off his accomplishment to his villainous cohorts, Mr. Freeze, Pyg, Merry-Maker and Harley Quinn. And informs them that they are free to kill Batman if they suspect he isn't under Crane's control, as Batman will be accompanying them while they venture out to perform their experiments. We see flashbacks to last issue where Batman was teaming with Poison Ivy to take Crane down when they were confronted by Batman's allies, all under Crane's control. Needing to gain Crane's trust, Batman incapacitates Ivy, before being hit with a whiff of Crane's fear gas. Batman breaks down the effects for us, telling us how it begins with either hot or cold sensations, followed by the feeling of insects crawling all over your body, finished with a flood of the persons deepest fears at an intensified level. Batman's of course, was the death of his parents.
Back to the present, again not wanting to break cover, Batman plays along with Crane's cohorts as they hit the town in search of test subjects. Batman even takes the lead in performing the test using the gas on the victim and then gathering a sample for Crane. We find out that the samples are used to create new toxins within Crane's current formula, which he also plans to cover the entire state with via blimps. Batman reveals to us that he purposely led Merry-Maker and Pyg to the homes of criminals to perform the tests, criminals who will now suffer possibly permanent nightmares of Batman, and hopefully think twice before breaking the law. As for the samples, Batman had slipped in an antidote, that when mixed into the original formulas causes a chemical reaction triggering an explosion, and unleashing the new antidote-laced fear toxin, reversing the original effects. Batman's allies regain themselves, and begin to take down Freeze, Harley, and others. Just as Batman is about to apprehend Scarecrow, Crane uses his claws to stab Batman in the chest, killing him, and reclaiming Gotham.
We then see Crane wearing a straightjacket hallucinating in a padded cell at Arkham Asylum as Batman, Jim Gordon and Dr. Arkham look on discussing the situation. Jim points out the Ivy wasn't accounted for to which Batman plays dumb, revealing to us that for helping him save Gotham, he gave Ivy a pass this time. Upon a rooftop, Batman is confronted by Catwoman, who was looking to discuss the events in the previous issues, and how they were together. Batman pushes her away, despite knowing they have feelings for each other, and receives a message from Alfred reporting multiple situations. Story closes with full page panel of Batman taking on Clayface.
The Review:
Was a pretty good ending to the "Gothtopia" story arc, and was written quite well. It was also a good example of how to give fans a really good story, but not drag it out too long (see Forever Evil). I wasn't a fan however of how Harley Quinn was used, nor Freeze, but with Harley it was a complete filler role, and conflicts with the events of her current solo title. As much as I love Harley and I know stories rarely line-up time wise, they should've used another character though with how small it was. Merry-Maker and Pyg got more face time and lines. I did really like the slight twist ending, with Scarecrow apparently killing Batman. Initial reaction was, "this is continuing on?" but was pleased with the "oh ya, the antidote" follow-up thought as I turned the page. Layman's run was decent one, although at times sidetracked by other events taking place in Batman's universe. Will be interesting to see what direction the new writer (come next issue) take the Dark Knight in DC Comics' namesake title.
Art and Aaron really performed very well in the art department. The visuals both told the story very nicely, but also delivered an even quality in almost every panel. Another thing with Harley being used, they could have also perhaps kept with her more current look, if again she had to be used. However, I am also not really a fan of the "Suicide Squad" look as I call it. Compared to the overall art though, this is a very small complaint. The inks and colors were spot on as well, helping make the pictures pop off the page when needed.
Overall this was a really good issue. The art as mentioned was really good, and this was a well done, classic Batman ending to a story arc. The creative team went out on a definite high point as things switch up come next issue. With "Gothtopia" being quite interesting and very well done, the new crew will have some big shoes to fill. Until then...
Stay Nerdy!
Green Lantern #29
Writer: Robert Venditti
Artist: Billy Tan
Cover: Billy Tan
The Rundown:
Things start off with an aquatic looking member of the Green Lantern Corps (a fish), scanning Mogo's surface for any abnormalities and comes across what looks like a box containing vials of something. On earth, Hal Jordan is visiting his brother and his family. It is a very quick visit as he explains the current situation to his brother. How he is going off to fight a war far in space, how the Red Lantern Corps is now controlling Sector 2814, but that the only remaining Green Lantern allowed on earth, Simon Baz, would be overlooking them for him while he was away. His brother of course, wished the situation was different, but nothing he could do about it.
Back in space, Mogo is speeding through the galaxy while conversing with Saint Walker as he watches Mogo's sun fade off into the distance. With their destination being a war zone, the remaining Blue Lantern finds it hard to remain optimistic like his celestial friend. What little "hope" that remains within Saint Walker is diminishing further as he says that he is a Saint no more, and only Walker as drifts off into the darkness. Inside their headquarter, Salaak and Kilowog are examining the bomb discovered by the Green Lantern member earlier, appears to be a more refined version of Relic's light draining weaponry. Although they think that it was planted by the Durlan still hiding amongst them, but not the one who built it. Hal enters the room saying he may know who did as he holds a small meeting with fellow Corps members Kilowog, Salaak and Two-Six. Jordan asks them for their help to run the Corps. Not only with things like strategy, but also with the morale of the Green Lanterns. The trio agrees to help their fearless leader, and then decide to attack the Khund Military on Gwottle head on by placing Mogo right in the middle of things.
On Gwottle, in Sector 0487, the Khunds are overseeing the six-armed Gwottlens and their production of light draining weapons. Hal and a group of Lanterns begin their attack, but quickly discover that the Khund didn't invade and capture Gwottle, they were invited and are working with together to stop the Green Lanterns. The Corps is looked at as dictators after the Durlan impersonated Hal (in a previous issue) broadcasting a message skewing the Green Lanterns "public" perception. They are attacked by Khund and Gwottlens alike, attempting to secure the light-draining weapons with a construct, but failing as the grapple like barbs break through. Hal is able to remove the remote from the enemies hands, but learns that it is encrypted and must be unlocked first. Green Lantern Gorin-Sunn removes his ring, and becomes liquid splashing down onto the remote control. The attacking barbs begin to malfunction and fall from the air as Gorin-Sunn retakes shape explaining that he is living energy and simply merged with the electronic device with quite ease. After capturing the Khund and Gwottlens, Hal decides to let the Gwottlens go after realizing that they were simply pawns reacting to the words from the Durlans broadcast, and that they needed to release them in an attempt to garner any amount of their "public" image back.
The issue closes with the Durlan on Mogo's surface discovering that some of his items are missing, and will have to remain hidden amongst the Corps even longer, but that time was running out with them clearly being aware someone is up to something. We also see that Lantern Voth may be the imposter amongst the Corps.
The Review:
I am liking the aftermath of the last story arc with Relic. I like how it somewhat mirrors reality in some cases, with the police doing what they can to help protect people, but still being looked at as the enemy. In some cases it is warranted, but in most cases no. Regardless of that, it is nice to see how it is played out in the current arc, and is making for a somewhat good story. I am curious as to how they basically left the events of last issue (find review for issue #28 here), other than the brief explaination to Hal's brother. It will obviously be covered in Red Lanterns and Supergirl, but at least a mention of the key event would have made sense. I am curious about two things in regards to Saint Walker and the Blue Lanterns. I know he is now the only remaining member, but there isn't anyone in the universe that has enough hope within them to garner a membership to the Blue Lantern Corps? Perhaps they work different, and it was explained elsewhere, but should cover it at some point. I do like the Saint Walker, now known simply as Walker, situation. Will he be replaced? Will he rekindle the hope within, and of course what will cause that? His name slight name change has me thinking he is about to have some sort of "spiritual walk" and rediscover himself. Hopefully they don't drag his part in all of this out too much.
The art was okay. I do not know if it was in the original pencil work or if it is from the inking, but seems almost "smudgy" in parts, and complete lack of detail in some panels. But, that is only when I am forced to sit and analyze the work. It told the story very well, which is the purpose, so it is hard to knock it. I did like how Simon Baz was drawn, although it looked a tad blurry, that may have been intended to make him look like he was glowing, so it worked out well.
Overall, it was a decent issue. Nothing over the top, and I guess is a needed break from major events, which the Green Lanterns have been apart of for years now. I am intrigued in how things play out for both the Greens and the Blues. Would like to see at least one more venture (one issue) to dwell back into the Red Lanterns current situation, not looking for a giant cross-over, just feel it should have at least been referenced in this issue, and that their involvement in the current situation is a small part of that story.
Stay Nerdy!
