Episode 441: We are Robin, Prez, Cyborg, Superman, Batgirl and more: Sean and Jim chat about Cyborg 1, Batgirl 42 and Annual 3, Superman 42, Prez 2, We are Robin 2 and more!
Episode 349: Constantine, Action, Batgirl, and Batman and Robin: Jim and Sean discuss Constantine 1 and 2, Batgirl 19, Batman and Robin 19, and Action Comics 19. We also casually discuss Injustice, Man of Steel’s trailer, DC Media, and Superman Day in Cleveland!
I have to say this excites me. I loved Dick Grayson as Batman so losing that is a downer but the writers attached to both of these books have been terrific.
Scott Snyder’s Detective run has been spectacular. It has been edgy and not afraid to add some new gadgets and concepts to the Batman mythos. He’s added something fresh with the return of Jim Gordon’s son. His understanding and evolution of the relationship between the police and Batman has been one of my favorite elements. I am excited to see where he takes Bruce.
Tony Daniel really has impressed me with his growth as a writer on Batman. This really has been since the really cool Black Mask mystery. He hasn’t stopped delivering with the recent Sensei arc. I am glad he is sticking around.
My questions:
What does this mean for Dick Grayson, Tim Drake and Stephanie Brown? How will Batwoman fit into this?
I don’t think Bruce going back to Batman means that we lose Tim or Dick. Bryan Q. Miller has been amazing on Batgirl so I hope that character continues on. We’ll see. So far, the creative teams on the first two announcements have me excited.
Ok, I have to say it. I am thrilled with the Barbara Gordon announcement because it keeps Gail Simone writing her!
Now I still wonder about Dick Grayson and Tim Drake. I am glad to see Damien. This is totally unexpected and I am curious to see how the revamps will be explained.
Judd Winnick on Catwoman sounds great. I will be curious to see how Birds of Prey plays out.
It looks like Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain are out. I am sad about this but I am a huge Batwoman and Barbara Gordon fan so will gladly read those two books.
Episode 235: Smallville, Dick Grayson, and lots of comic chat!!! On this episode, we kick off by chatting about the midseason finale of Smallville that aired last week. We talk about our favorite moments from the last couple of episodes and hopes as the show moves forward to it’s second and final half of the last season.
We also chat about a variety of comics: Batgirl 16, Jonah Hex 62, Batman and Robin 17, Superboy #2, Booster Gold #39, Flash #7, and R.E.B.E.L.S. 23. We also have a great listener voicemail from Eli to share.
Episode 199 Bubblicious: We talk about a ton this show including : Last Stand of New Krypton 1, Adventure Comics 8, Batman and Robin 10, Batgirl 8, Red Robin 10, Justice League: The Rise and Fall of Green Arrow Special, Cry for Justice 7,Magog 7, JSA All Stars 4, Blackest Night 7, Wonder Woman 41, Jonah Hex 53
Episode 200 airs the week of March 23: Remember to enter our contest.
Welcome to another addition of The Bat Casebook. I’m sure you know the score by now—I read whatever new bat-related comic came out during the week and I review them. Why should you read my opinions? ‘Cause I’m that bloody awesome, is why! Anyway, this was a really light week, so let’s just blaze through these books.
BATMAN & ROBIN #8
Written by Grant Morrison
Drawn by Cameron Stewart
Colored by Tony Avina
Lettered by Jared K. Fletcher
Covers by Cameron Stewart and Frank Quitely
Is there any way to make it so that Batman & Robin always ships bi-weekly? I mean seriously, this has been a pretty sweet deal so far. It’d probably completely destroy the chance of Quitely ever doing another arc, but still!
Anyway, question—well, one, at least—were answered in this that we’ve been wondering since the end of Final Crisis—the body of Bruce that they’ve had here in the present? One of Darkseid’s clones from when they had Bruce imprisoned and were siphoning his memories to create the perfect minions. That makes a lot of sense—and is far more explainable then the “Bruce’s body died, but his mind was transported in a new body” theory that I had—and it really puts into place why this is a “spiritual” cross-over with Blackest Night—like Nekron, Darkseid downloaded the memories of Bruce into this body and it was resurrected, but twisted and nothing like the Bruce we all know and love.
But none of our intrepid heroes know about this—it isn’t until “Bruce” tries to kill one of them that Dick realizes this and they try to take him down. Unfortunately, that only really works to bring down part of the cave and seemingly kills Batwoman in the process—though that’s part of her plan. Meanwhile, Clone-Bruce hijacks their plane, heads back to Wayne Tower, and is out to get Alfred and Damian, who’s still confined to a wheelchair.
Overall I dug this issue—it answered a big question, had some amazingly rendered fight scenes, and it makes you want to see how Dick, Kate, Knight and Squire are going to get back to Gotham in time to save Alfred and Damian, which is what a great serialized superhero series should do. However, if we don’t see Alfred lay into Clone-Batman with his trusty shotgun, I will be a touch disappointed.
BATGIRL #7
Written by Bryan Q. Miller
Penciled by Lee Garbett
Inked by Trevor Scott
Colored by Guy Major
Lettered by John J. Hill
Cover by Phil Noto
Speaking of great cliffhangers, the previous issue of this book ended with a pretty good one: Batman’s out of commission, with the super-villains Riot, Doctor Phosphorous and Roxy Rocket going after him, with the whole world watching thanks to the villainous Roulette—will the two young superheroes we love as much as they hate each other, Batgirl and Robin save him in time? Find out, true believers—right now!
Overall this was a great issue—very exciting, full of funny little moments, and really cements Stephanie as a full-fledged, down-right competent super-hero. She definitely gets the “Big Damn Hero” moment for using Roxy’s rocket to take out Doctor Phosphorous. Even “Batman” had to admit that was a pretty clever way to take out two villains in one swoop, even if it was the kinder, gentler Batman—but I’m sure even Bruce would have gruffly nodded in approval. I also loved the further establishing the sibling rivalry between Stephanie and Damian.
Overall it was a great issue and a solid end to a cool arc. If this was any other week when Batman & Robin wasn’t on in the same week, this probably would have been my favorite bat-book of the week. I eagerly await this upcoming cross-over between this and Red Robin.
Like I said, this was a light week, but packed to the brim with some awesome stuff. Next week is definitely not going to be light, with Batman #696, Batman: Streets of Gotham #9, and Azarel #5.
I am changing the web site over to a wordpress site. This will give me some freedom and speed in how I update and eventually add some convenient features for listeners in the coming months. Pardon our mess, this is a work in progress.
I will be gradually be adding back links and content to the new site over the next couple of weeks.
