Lestat’s Comic Book Review Round-Up – July Week 2, 2019

For the second week of July, we are looking at another new Batman title, Batman Universe #1, while also returning to Batman #74, The Flash #74, Event Leviathan #2 and from Marvel, we have Invisible Woman #1.

'Batman Universe #1'

Batman was sent a sub-par riddle by the Riddler and now he’s out to find the villain and stop him. Except, the Riddler continues to be several steps ahead of the Caped Crusader and dodges him at the last moment. Apparently the Riddler stole a Fabergé egg, and it belonged to Jinny Hex. When Batman gets no direct answers from her, he locates the Riddler who continues acting shady.

So, what’s going on in this issue? Nothing other than DC’s need to capitalize on as much Batman content as it can possibly create. Everything revolves around Batman in DC, and it’s getting ridiculous now. The same story would be just as enthralling with other characters, new characters, diverse characters. The banter between Alfred and Bruce is comfortable, but overdone—we keep seeing it over and over again, and it’s boring now.

The best thing about the issue was the first three pages of Nick Derington’s art—the point-of-view panels were breathtaking. You have to go back and take a second look at them to really appreciate what he’s done.

'Batman #74'

Bruce Wayne’s father was working with Bane to break the Bat, and now Thomas Wayne is dragging his son across the desert on a foolhardy mission to resurrect his dead wife. While the two of them defeat Ra’s Al Ghul’s guards, Thomas recounts how Bruce loved listening to a horrifying children’s story when he was little. Well, all of that is apparently an analogy for what will go down in this book—and it isn’t pretty.

First up, Mikel Janin’s art, and Jordie Bellaire’s colours are beautiful to behold in this issue, they’re the MVPs. Far too often, this Batman series has relied on fairy tales and analogies to tell its story, and most of those attempts have fallen flat. Conceptually, the idea works, but Tom King uses this technique so frequently that it feels almost like a shortcut to get to the heart of the plot. In this issue, the conjunction of the children’s story with Thomas’ intentions is a stretch too far. It simply doesn’t work. The central premise of the installment is good, and it seems like Batman may have clawed his way back to sanity, but this series just tries too hard, too often to be enjoyable.

'The Flash #74'

Future Turtle has arrived in Central City, with future Flash in captivity. He intends to connect the present and the future, thereby taking over the whole city, and maybe even the world. Young Flash is able to rescue his older self, but this isn’t good news—old Flash tells Barry that the only way to save the world is by doing nothing. Can the newly minted speedster stand still and watch his beloved city get taken over by this evil villain?

I’ve really enjoyed the ‘Year One’ arc so far. Its been pacey, and young Barry is a likable hero who’s still finding his feet. The issues focus heavily on Barry, so the extended cast haven’t really had their moment in the sun, but we can already see why Barry likes Iris, and why Turtle shouldn’t be underestimated. I’m not sure I like that Barry’s already adopted his signature suit, we needed a few more of issue ‘Year One’ Barry’s look. I am looking forward to seeing what Turtle gets up to, and how Barry defeats him. It’s been such a compelling read so far.

'Event Leviathan #2'

Batman meets Jason Todd/Red Hood and tells him about the destruction of worldwide intelligence agencies. Batgirl is missing, and there are several suspects on the Caped Crusader’s list regarding who Leviathan is. Throughout the issue, Jason asks questions while Batman recounts what his team of the world’s greatest detectives have uncovered. It appears that Leviathan has no logical pattern to his actions, which makes him unpredictable. The reader is unaware what’s going on, but the central premise of the issue is given away by the introduction spread. Honestly, it ruins the entire reading experience.

It’s unclear how the detectives come to the conclusion about the identity of Leviathan—did I miss a chapter? Is this a red herring? The revelation is far too convenient, and also very worrying. Since we’re only two issues into the series, my guess is the detectives have got it wrong, and the real villain is out there having a laugh.

'Invisible Woman #1'

I’ve never enjoyed reading The Fantastic Four, but a solo series about the Invisible Woman is not to be missed. The issue starts off in the past with Sue Storm on an espionage mission with SHIELD, and some guy called Tintreach. Of course, he hits on her like a freight train, but she brushes it off because she’s already with Reed Richards. We move to the present, and Sue decides she has to go on a clandestine mission to save this same guy.

So far, so cliche. I am actually disappointed at how uninspired this entire issue was. I love the use of Sue’s powers, but that doesn’t take much imagination since she’s a decades-old character. But the story itself was so formulaic, and by the books. Readers deserve better; Marvel’s female characters deserve better. I was especially excited for Mattia de Iulis’ art, but even that failed us. His ethereal characters and colours don’t work in a realistic setting, and it felt really out of sync with the plot. Maybe he and the readers will settle into the style, but he can hardly prop up the series if the story doesn’t try harder to be innovative and original.

Probably a little too much Batman in this round-up, but hopefully we’ll have more variety next week.