Detective Comics #954: As I've previously mentioned, I haven't been thrilled with other DC authors embracing Scott Snyder's belief that Batman is incompetent and overconfident. But, I have to admit Tynion uses it to great effect here. It's pretty great to watch Batman and R'as al Ghul fumble with the reality that they don't know how to defeat Shiva. Batman is distraught upon learning al Ghul only made him think the League of Shadows was a myth, and al Ghul is forced to admit he unleashed something he couldn't control when he put Shiva in charge of it. (al Ghul doesn't reveal what the difference of opinion is between him and Shiva that set her on her own path; we only know she didn't approve of his goal for the League.) The fact he's reduced to tricking Batman so he can deliver him to Shiva as part of a cease-fire says a lot about Shiva's bad-ass-ery. At this stage, the only forces left standing to oppose Shiva are the Colony (after Colony Prime and Ulysses bust Jake and the other captives from the now-unguarded Belfry) and Orphan. As you can imagine, the League should probably be more frightened by the latter than the former.
Dungeons & Dragons: Frost Giant's Fury #2: If "Shadows of the Vampire" was the trial, this arc is the reward. Minsc is relieved to discover a chance at redemption by helping to protect the village of Fireshear from marauding frost giants trying to steal a dragon's horde. (Krydle freed said dragon during the giants' attack on Fireshear, redirecting their attention from the village to the cave where the dragon fled.) They're joined in this issue by Saarvin, the dragonkin ranger who saved them last issue, and Dasharra, a warrior retired from Waterdeep's Griffon Guards. Zub largely keeps the tone of this issue light, after Saarvin leads the companions to Fireshear for healing, food, warmth, and gear. But, he doesn't ignore character development, as it seems possible that Nerys has been infected with vampirism during the fight with Strahd and Minsc is uncharacteristically depressed about his loss of status as a butt-kicking hero. It's good fun.
Titans #10: Abnett avoids the comic-book trope of the newbie doing better than the veterans when Karen pays a price for taking out four of the Fearsome Five: Psimon removes the engram tied to her family from her mind, leaving her unable to remember them. We learn Psimon likely sent the engram to his employer because it has value, though I'll admit I'm not sure what "value" it has. (Blackmail?) Trying to help get back Karen's memory, Dick tracks down the Five's employer: H.I.V.E., the group that created Deathstroke. I've been driven over the edge recently when it comes to cross-over events, but I have to admit Abnett really sets up the upcoming "Lazarus Effect" event nicely, as it feels like a natural progression of this story. I'm almost excited about it.
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