Welcome, fellow comics fans, to another episode of This Week in Comics! This time around it is my (Casper) turn to be your host, and my Bat-buddies and I have lots of commentary on various titles in store for you all, as always!
To those who came in late: This Week in Comics is a weekly article where the entire Batman News comics review team comes together to discuss DC’s latest releases. Basically, it’s like a podcast that you have to read. Or like a weird crossover episode where all your favorite reviewers team up and geek out. We also have links to full reviews from the Comics portion of the website—it’s the best part of Batman News, by the way. Tell your friends!
Detective Comics #1007
“The Spectre: Dead on Arrival” finale! In all of Gotham City, there’s only one life Batman would be willing to risk to save Jim Corrigan and the Spectre: his own!
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Josh: Where’s Elena when we need her?!?! I’d love to hear her take on this story with The Spectre!
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I’ve always enjoyed the Spectre, but sometimes his presence in other titles can feel like a cash grab. Tomasi crafted a strong story, though, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Casper: Yeah man, I really enjoyed this two-parter as well. I love that there’s a bit more focus on detective work, and the tension between Bruce and The Spectre is great.
Josh: Yeah! Detective work in Detective Comics. Who would’ve thought? Seriously though, it was nice to see Batman actually work a case. Did the answers and clues come a little easy? Yeah. That being said, I’ll take it!
And yes, the tension between Bruce and Spectre is great! Bruce knows he can’t do anything to the Spectre, but he still holds his ground. I love it. I also loved the little one-liner about being the “good cop.” Haha! Good stuff!
Brian: Personally, I think this ended weaker than it started, but I still enjoyed it. The artwork is still super-baller, but the way Bats ended things with Corrigan seemed like an abrupt conclusion.
Jay: Agreed. This was a better Spectre story than a Batman one. It was super moody, which I loved, but it was pretty lean when it came down to the actual detective work and mystery.
Josh: I won’t disagree with that. Maybe I’m jaded, but I’ve just come to expect books to end on a lower note than where they started…
Casper: I think I agree with you guys, as much as I enjoy this issue. For example, the whole cult stuff didn’t even impact the story as much as it could (should?) have. They didn’t even feel like an actual threat or opposition to me. And therefore the fight stuff seems almost redundant.
Jay: That was one of my issues. It’s not like I was super invested in this cult to begin with, but they were so generic that they didn’t serve a point beyond “we needed a bad guy.” The idea of a cult that dresses like the Spectre is a good one, they just never capitalized on that potential.
Josh: I mean, if DC is looking to launch a Spectre series, a cult that dresses like Spectre could be a great start! We’re all already intrigued by the idea of it. But yes, they were ultimately weak tea here.
Casper: Yep. Clearly the focus is on Batman and Spectre teaming up, but it just lacks a strong main villain.
But I dig the art, even though, at times, Hotz’s characters are ridiculously muscular to a point that proportions are getting a bit wonky.
Josh: I know I said this last time, but Hotz captures the same stylization and techniques that make Kelley Jones a standout. The darkness and the shadows mixed with the horror elements… It’s great. I’d say he even has a leg-up on Jones because his pencils are tighter and more consistent. Yes, the characters are overly muscular at times, but I’d take that over blobby any day. I also loved the saturation of David Baron’s colors. Good stuff!
Casper: Yeah! All things considered, honestly, if Tomasi is going to continue doing short arcs with cool artists like this, I’m all for it!
Jay: Agreed. I’d rather have an underwhelming short arc than an underwhelming overlong arc. This didn’t overstay its welcome.
Josh: Yeah, from a technical standpoint, I think there’s a benefit to fluctuating the length of stories. Whether you’re reading monthly or by trade, it allows the pacing of the title to ebb and flow.
Jay: And, so I don’t sound overly negative, there was stuff in this issue that I really liked. Hotz and Baron are a dream team, yeah, and the whole atmosphere fit a good Spectre story.
Would you recommend buying this for 3.99?
Yes: Casper, Brian, Josh, Jay
No: Nobody
For a full commentary, check out Jay’s review of Detective Comics #1007!
Batman: Universe #1
Following the theft of a priceless Fabergé egg, the Riddler leads the Dark Knight on a wild hunt after its true owner: Jinny Hex, descendant of Jonah Hex! Guest-starring Deathstroke, Green Arrow and dozens of Riddler look-alikes in stories by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Nick Derington, originally published in BATMAN GIANT #3 and #4!
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Jay: I spent way too much time in my review comparing this to Raiders of the Lost Ark and I stand by it. What a great adventure.
Josh: Yo… This was one hell of a fun ride! I know some of the newer, more modern readers won’t like that the book isn’t overly dark or angsty, but I enjoyed the lighter tone. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t expecting much since it was pulled from the Wal-Mart giant, but I thought this was a top-tier, quality book! Kudos to Bendis and Derington.
Jay: At the risk of sounding patronizing, it was so much better than it had any right to be. They could have easily phoned this in, writing it off as “just a story for Walmart,” but they didn’t at all.
Josh: Exactly! You said that way better than I did. Haha!
Casper: I had fun reading this too, and I like that it has a lighter tone, and the banter between Bruce and Alfred is definitely entertaining. But it’s just another Batman story to me. There’s not much here that particularly stands out to me. Sometimes it even feels really safe, presenting a scenario that I’ve seen before.
Josh: I can understand the idea that it’s safe, but at the same time, I feel like we complain about how every story published these days contains such extreme stakes. It’s nice to take a moment to breathe.
Casper: Well, you know, extreme stakes is sometimes too much, for sure. But just like there can be undesirable extreme stakes, it’s also possible for a story to be undesirably too safe, as far as I’m concerned. I do want a little bit of excitement in my Bat-books, otherwise I don’t know why I should continue to read it. Batman: Universe #1, though a fun read, just doesn’t do much for me.
Brian: I don’t think it’s too safe at all! It does what a good opener ought to do. It actually rather reminds me of the first chapter of Hush, just with a far lighter tone.
And honestly, there’s a place for these sorts of stories. They aren’t for everybody, but it’s nice to have something that isn’t necessarily trying to go super-deep. There was a great Legends of the Dark Knight from Dwayne McDuffy called “Blink,” and this one is a similar speed.
Casper: Well, it does do a good job of starting off this story, that’s right. Like I said, not a bad comic…I’m just not excited about it (yet).
Jay: I loved that opening scene in particular. For one, the first person perspective going into the splash page was amazing, and seeing Batman not be a jerk to normal people was great.
Josh: Agreed. While I thought it was a little awkward at first, I loved the use of civilians here. This depiction of Gotham felt more lived-in than anything I’ve read in a long time. I especially loved the fake Riddlers and the GCPD interrogating them. Watching the cops come to the realization that all of these people were played was equally humorous and satisfying. It was the reactions of the fake Riddlers that made it though!
Honestly, this book is kind of what I would want to see from a new animated series. The tone. The look. The writing… It’s perfect for it. And Nick Derington! Man, I can’t say enough good things. He’s one of those artists that I saw an image of his work and thought, “Ok…” But then, when I saw the full product? So good!
Casper: That’s true, though! Derington is such a cool artist. I like his Batman a lot, and his overall aesthetic is a great fit for the story, and especially the first person POV shots in the opening panels, which Jay mentioned, are really cool!
Brian: Derington was a BOSS on this. His fight panels were nice and spacious and clear. Good stuff. I loved Slade’s “there he goes” sucker punch, too. What a jerk.
Josh: Jerk!
Casper: Meanie!
Jay: Slade sucks so it tracks.
Would you recommend buying this for 4.99?
Yes: Casper, Brian, Josh, Jay
No: Nobody
For a full commentary, check out Jay’s review of Batman: Universe #1!
Event Leviathan #2
“The Detectives”! EVENT LEVIATHAN, the new miniseries by the award-winning team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Alex Maleev, continues! As the mystery of Leviathan continues to rock the very foundations of the DC Universe, the world’s greatest detectives gather for the first time anywhere to solve the mystery before it’s too late! Lois Lane leads Batman, Green Arrow, Plastic Man, Manhunter, the Question and a couple of genuine guest sleuths in the search for who Leviathan is and how their plans have already unfolded. This issue also guest-stars Red Hood, Batgirl and more!
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Josh: So, I thought this was much better than the debut issue… But still not quite as good as what set all of this up in Action Comics. I leave it at that for now, because I’m curious to hear your general opinions before jumping into details.
Brian: My review pretty much sums up my feelings: I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The dialogue was much better this time, and the visual tensions and game-playing established by Maleev are outstanding. For the record, I don’t think it’s Jason—that’s maybe too obvious.
Josh: Yeah… I’m going to touch on Jason in a second. Jay? Casper? Any general thoughts before we really dive in?
Jay: Much better than the first issue. Practically a night and day difference. The Action lead up is still superior to the main story itself, but it’s finding its footing.
Casper: General thoughts … well, honestly, I didn’t enjoy this as much as Brian did. Don’t get me wrong, I really appreciate Maleev’s artwork a lot, I love his style. I also love the moment where Batman’s buddies all show up and they confront Jason. And Plastic Man was a lot of fun. Other than that, I just can’t bring myself to really care about this story yet. Even if (or maybe especially if) Leviathan is Jason Todd, I wouldn’t care, because I don’t really care that much about Jason in general. We’ll see, maybe this story will win me over next issue — I’m certainly going to give it another chance next month!
Josh: Yeah, valid points across the board.
So, Jason was mentioned. Like Brian, I feel like it’s too obvious for it to really be him… but at the same time, I’m also second guessing myself. What if Bendis wants us to think this so we don’t suspect Jason? Then, at the same time, I don’t think I’d ever believe Jason were smart enough to pull this off.
Jay: Jason is way too easy an answer, and one that doesn’t even make sense. I’m thinking Bruce is making him an intentional red herring so the real Leviathan will be thrown off their scent.
Casper: Yeah, it seems like a really far-fetched idea if Jason actually turns out to be Leviathan. But, then again, this is comics, so I won’t be surprised to see far-fetched ideas in these stories!
Josh: True. I did like Bruce’s subtle prying though. He was asking the right questions in the right way to see if Jason would slip up. I didn’t care for the turn to try and detain Jason at the end, though. I feel as though Jason’s answers exonerated him more than anything.
Casper: I like Bruce’s prying a lot too. Definitely one of the stronger moments in the book. But, like I said, I do like how they try to detain Jason, because it finally introduces some proper conflict that’s engaging and fun to see unfold. I mean, the mystery is also kind of fun, but it also kind of puts me to sleep at the moment, so some action is more than welcome!
Josh: Yeah… That first issue didn’t help the momentum of this run at all.
Casper: Nope.
Josh: Do we think there’s a possibility that it’s Dick? DC seems desperate to find something to make Dick “interesting”—you know, other than the obvious route of actually letting the character grow and progress beyond Batman’s former sidekick. I honestly wouldn’t put it past them. And I think Dick actually has the skill-set and know-how to accomplish what’s taking place. Once you factor in his connections with Spyral, as well as his relationship with Barbara and the Court of Owls… It definitely makes me wonder.
Casper: Oh no … please don’t let it be Dick.
Jay: …oh no. As much as I hate it, that kind of fits.
Josh: I’m not saying I want it to be Dick. I’m just saying with the way DC has been treating him, it wouldn’t surprise me… And he’s way more skilled than Jason, so I’d believe it more.
Casper: Yeah, I mean, maybe! But please don’t let it be Dick.
Brian: We’re still centering on Leviathan being someone from Batman’s world, but this all started in Action. I think we might be looking in the wrong direction.
Josh: Oh… Great point, Brian! I didn’t even stop to think from that angle. Now I am a little intrigued.
Jay: Leviathan is Steve Lombard. I knew it.
Josh: Final note: More Plastic Man, please!
Jay: Forever and always, even if the stretchy guy with the good detective skills they should be using is Ralph Dibny.
Would you recommend buying this for 3.99?
Yes: Brian, Josh, Jay
No: Casper (not yet, at least)
For a full commentary, check out Brian’s review of Event Leviathan #2!
Batman And The Outsiders #3
In their first encounter with the powerful maniac who’s pursuing runaway meta-human Sofia Barrera, Black Lightning and the Outsiders were absolutely humbled. Does everyone on this team have what it takes? Or did Batman make a catastrophic mistake when he entrusted them with Sofia’s life?
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Josh: I talk about this in my review, but this is an example of where a comic hits all the right notes in some aspects, and really misses it in others. Ra’s al Ghul? Nailed it. The Outsiders? Not so much…
Brian: Agreed. Loved Ra’s. The Outsiders just feel forced, and even the visuals do at times. That page where Duke is fighting Batman in disguise, it’s an absolute mess. Top panel shows Duke lunging from Batman’s left, with his—Duke’s—right hand extended. Next panel, we get him punching with the opposite hand from the opposite side, then immediately leading to a connecting panel of him in a flying kick. It’s just disjointed and rushed. There’s a good overall flow following Duke down and across the page, but the details are a mess.
Josh: Oh, wow. I didn’t even pay attention to that. I’m wondering if it was rushed execution, or a rushed splicing job? Either way, editors should have caught that.
Jay: “Forced” is a good way of putting it. Even though we’ve spent three issues hearing Batman supposedly say why this team is needed, we have yet to see why this team is actually needed. The original Outsiders were formed because Batman wanted a team who could take care of things that the League couldn’t, but this team is… to give Cass and Duke something to do, I guess.
Josh: Since we’re on the subject of Duke… He continues to be my least favorite character. I was completely behind the character during the We Are Robin days, but ever since he became the Signal… Nope. Nothing is changing here either. I’d actually prefer Harper over Duke at this point.
Jay: Let’s not say anything we can’t take back, Josh.
Josh: Just let Duke go away and come back in a way that’s similar to Sean Gordon Murphy’s vision for him.
Casper: Well, Duke … it’s not that I don’t like him. I have enjoyed some of the stories he’s in. But I agree with Josh here that I don’t care about Signal, either, but if you were to ask me why, I couldn’t really say just yet. I think it comes from a general lack of interest in Signal as this new addition to the Bat family, because I don’t know what he’s bringing to the table and I also don’t know why I should bother to check out more of the Signal stories. Even in the pages of Outsiders (and also Hill’s Detective Comics run from a while ago) I’m not finding a lot of reasons to keep following the character’s progress. I hope this will change, but right now I have no idea where DC is taking the character or why Signal (not necessarily Duke, but specifically Signal) exists.
Jay: My thing with Duke is that he was much more interesting as just a normal person. Comics need more of that, and Batman comics in particular. Someone who lives in Gotham, sees all that Batman does, and is inspired to help in any way they can. That’s why We Are Robin worked, and why suddenly making him a superpowered kid of nebulous age and maturity doesn’t.
Josh: Also, I am growing to enjoy and appreciate Sofia more and more with each issue though. If Hill plays his cards right and goes for a long-game with her, she could potentially become a staple in the League of Assassins. That being said, I do feel her path moving forward isn’t a pleasant one.
Ultimately, there’s potential here, but you’re right, Brian. Everything about the team itself feels forced. And it pains me to say that, because two of my favorite characters are on this roster: Katana and Cassandra.
Would you recommend buying this for 3.99?
Yes: Nobody
No: Casper, Brian, Josh (not yet, anyway), Jay
For a full commentary, check out Josh’s review of Batman and the Outsiders #3!
Batman #74
“The Fall and the Fallen” concludes with a father-and-son showdown. Flashpoint Batman reveals his fiendish reasoning for dragging Batman into the desert, and who is in the coffin they’ve been dragging along with them. But is this a step too far? It’s Bruce Wayne versus Thomas Wayne for the right to wear the cowl, and all of Gotham City hangs in the balance!
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Casper: This was okay. I like the callback to the creepy animal story and how it fits with the setting of this issue and the events taking place. I also like that Batman’s standing up to his weirdo father. And, of course, Janín’s doing a great job, and Bellaire’s colors are great, as always.
Jay: To be fair, the art has never been the problem with this title. It’s been an embarrassment of riches.
Casper: So it’s an okay issue, but I’m not wowed or super excited about it. But I’m kind of looking forward to “City of Bane,” just because I want to see how this King Batman run ends.
Brian: I’m just tired of this big, long thing. I did like the “my parents are gone, I’m still here” bit, but it’s still a conclusion buried under Tom King’s mountain of cynicism about Batman.
Jay: Yes. It’s exhausting to read, which is kind of impressive because it took me like four minutes.
Josh: Oh, I agree 100%! This is the first issue in a while that is mostly a conversation between two characters rather than a poem narrating the entire issue, or someone speaking at someone (ie: Batman yelling at Bane while beating up every single rogue in Arkham).
Would you recommend buying this for 3.99?
Yes: Casper
No: Brian, Jay
For a full commentary, check out Josh’s review of Batman #74!
Red Hood: Outlaw #36
There’s no way to plan for every contingency…even for a son of the Bat like Jason Todd. His goal was to take down the Penguin and assume his role as the prince of Gotham, but the best laid plans go awry when Oswald Cobblepot gets the last laugh—and the last bullet! And not even the Red Hood and his posse can stop him. (How could they with the Iceberg Lounge under siege and Bunker, Wingman and the Sisters Su too busy to help Jason deal with a Penguin ascendant?) Don’t miss the startling conclusion to “Prince of Gotham!”
What can Lex Luthor offer former sidekick Jason Todd? Sidekicks…broken, battered and catastrophically dangerous sidekicks. The Teen Titans they’re not!
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Brian: Well, this arc is over. Can we maybe get back to the version of this book that everybody loved?
Josh: Right? I mean, on the one hand, I can’t help but feel that it ended abruptly while also dropping a number of supporting characters before they ever really played a meaningful part… But at the same time, I never wanted any of this to begin with, so I’m perfectly ok with it.
I am worried about where Lobdell will take the book next though.
Jay: The idea was fine, they just didn’t do anything with it. Make Jason a new crime boss in Gotham? Very cool. Have it… be a front for some soul-searching or whatever? I mean… his sword is pretty dope? That’s… something.
Casper: Well, I’m still not reading this. Sorry Jason.
Josh: Do not apologize to Jason! He doesn’t deserve it! If anyone needs an apology, Lobdell should apologize to Bizarro. Haha!
Casper: Can’t argue with that!
Jay: I will say that Wingman’s identity was touching. Granted, I may have been dense/didn’t care enough to think about it too much, but it was a nice reveal.
Would you recommend buying this for 3.99?
Yes: Nobody
No: Brian, Josh, Jay
For a full commentary, check out Brian’s review of Red Hood: Outlaw #36!
Catwoman #13
Things have come to a head for Selina Kyle in Villa Hermosa. Between taking care of her sister and contending with all the crooks who cross her path looking to give her some bad luck, it’s enough to make a Catwoman go bad herself. So maybe she will?
“Come now, Selina. Still playing the hero? Stop pretending you’re something you’re not.” It’s Lex Luthor’s words versus Catwoman’s will in this chapter of “The Offer”!
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Casper: Nice art, and there are some creepy moments in here that I really like, such as Mrs. Creel killing her son in her own house—I just like the horror vibes.
Josh: I… Didn’t care for the art as much. While some of the horror elements were decent, I’m just not a fan of the sequential art. The flow from panel to panel feels really choppy at times, and it took me out of the book more than once. Especially with the action.
Casper: Hmmm, that’s actually a good point, about the sequential stuff. But I still like the aesthetic!
Jay: The art was okay on its own, until Jones stepped in for the last few pages. Then it was just “more of this, please.”
That’s supposed to be complimentary toward Joëlle, by the by.
Josh: As for the story itself… I don’t know. I’m just not finding myself invested at all. And I hated the bit with James.
Casper: Yeah, well, I do think it’s fitting how Selina pushes away this James dude, who is clearly attracted to her and doesn’t want to give up that easily. I just feel like the cast is perhaps a bit too big for this book, because it seems like none of the characters really get enough panel time from issue to issue to really develop them into memorable characters. So, this book is all over the place. I still like it, but it keeps getting harder to stay focused on the story and remember what happened and stay invested in Selina’s character journey. This book needs some streamlining.
Josh: Oh, definitely! I was saying this from the beginning. I think this is where you notice Jones isn’t necessarily a good writer. Despite what many people think, there are technical aspects to writing that are important. Having a good idea doesn’t make you a good writer. It’s all in the execution, and, as you said, hers is all over the place. But, to also agree with you, there are many good elements here, they’re just unfocused. DC should’ve paired her with a co-writer. Both Jones and the book would have benefited greatly from this.
Casper: You know, I’ve been giving this book the benefit of the doubt for months now. But now I’m agreeing with you, Josh, about the technical issues in this book. That said, I don’t necessarily think that Jones is a bad writer. Without having read more of her work (for example, some of her indie writing where there isn’t as much editorial interference as there is on a book like Catwoman), I don’t want to go out and say she’s not a good writer. Because, considering the fact that this book is so all over the place, you have got to wonder what exactly editors are doing when they read the first drafts of Jones’ scripts. Are they making them better or worse? What’s going on?
Josh: True. On a side note, I was extremely happy to see Jones’ art return at the end of this issue! I’m not excited by “the offer,” but I’m excited by her art.
Casper: Not excited by the offer, either, but Jones’ art is why I started reading this series in the first place!
Would you recommend buying this for 3.99?
Yes: Casper
No: Josh, Jay
Justice League Odyssey #11
With the fate of the Ghost Sector and the trillions of lives it contains at stake, Darkseid begins the cosmic process to activate Sepulkore and restore himself to his previous immeasurable power. Can the Justice League crew stop him…or—unthinkably—must they actually help him?
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Josh: Ugh… I completely forgot about this. Is it worth reading? Do I need to catch up real quick?
Casper: I don’t know, dude. I haven’t really been keeping up with this, either. Jay? Brian? Anyone?
Jay: I read it and don’t remember a single thing.
Brian: Is Darkseid still chasing after that Sepultura thingie?
Josh: I don’t even remember what the Sepultura thingie is…
Jay: Pretty sure they’re a Brazilian metal band.
Josh: Hold on. Let me skim the issue real quick…
Mmm hmm. Mmm hmm… Yep. Luther and Brainiac…. There’s a mention of the Sepultura thingie. Got it… Oh, they think Darkseid might be the variable that stops them. Interesting… Back to the JLO team. Ugh, already the quality drops… Darkseid speeches. Lots of them… Some bickering… Yadda, yadda… Weird science stuff nobody understands… Darkseid is bad… And… Cyborg has transformed into some potentially evil, new gods version.
Jay: The whole “Darkseid is breeding mistrust” thing would work better if there was any sort of consistency or stakes. It’s just a bunch of repetitive “can we trust them?”, “yeah, you can trust mAZRAEL STOP WITH THE SPOOKY VOICE” nonsense.
Josh: So, yeah… Not missing this at all. Let’s carry on.
Would you recommend buying this for 3.99?
Yes: Nobody
No: Josh, Jay
Young Justice #7
Young Justice—lost in the Multiverse! After the explosive conclusion to their Gemworld adventure, the team is having a tough time finding their way back to their Earth. No, we can’t tell you where they end up, but rest assured, you will be surprised! But as exciting as all that is, we have bigger problems to deal with as Tim Drake is about to do something he has only done…lots of times before. He is about to announce his new alias…a new superhero name. A Young Justice name. And this time, it’s permanent. Like, forever.
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Josh: I haven’t decided how I feel about this… I had fun. I did. But the book as a whole hasn’t done anything to wow me. I want an actual team mission, not just happenstance. I’m not sure if that makes any sense.
Jay: No, I totally get it, even though it sounds like I enjoyed this more than you did. Frankly, this is how the series should have started, with the previous half dozen issues published as a separate miniseries before launching the book proper.
Casper: Eh, it’s another of those series that I mean to catch up on, just so I know what’s going on in the book. But it doesn’t seem to happen. So, no, didn’t read this. Better luck next month!
Would you recommend buying this for 3.99?
Yes: Josh, Jay
No: Nobody
Black Hammer/Justice League: Hammer of Justice #1
DC Comics and Dark Horse Comics present the ultimate superhero crossover event of 2019!
A strange man arrives simultaneously on Black Hammer Farm and in Metropolis, and both worlds are warped as Starro attacks! Batman, Green Lantern, Flash, Wonder Woman, Superman, and more crossover with Golden Gail, Colonel Weird, and the rest of the Black Hammer gang!
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Jay: This was an absolute snooze fest. It didn’t give me any real reason to care about the “conflict,” as much as there was one, and having never read any Black Hammer books, it doesn’t really make me want to.
Casper: I actually thought this was an entertaining read, but, having never read Black Hammer either, I’m not really sure who exactly the Black Hammer characters are and why I should care about them, and that seems to me the most important thing that the first issue needs to accomplish. As it stands, it’s like the creative team is almost taking for granted that their readers know the Black Hammer cast already (and their readers probably do, but for someone like me it’s less enjoyable without proper introductions). I think the idea is kind of cool, though, and I am curious about the Black Hammer series after reading this issue. I also like some of the parallels between the League and the Black Hammer cast, except that it seems like there isn’t anything underneath those parallels. They feel very superficial. Maybe this stuff will be further developed as the story continues, though. But for the time being, I’m not impressed, and my advice is to take a wait-and-see approach, check out reviews, and maybe then come back and pick up this issue if you really like what you see.
Would you recommend buying this for 3.99?
Yes: Nobody
No: Jay, Casper
