Batman #43: I'm not sure if this story is over, but, if it is, I call a massive foul. We'll get to that part in a minute. First, I'll say this issue was much better than last issue, as it was grounded in an unusually sensitive Bruce realizing Harley was the key to Pamela's salvation. That part was beautifully and lovingly handled; King even implies it's Bruce's relationship with Selina that makes him able to see this answer. But, the "foul" part enters the equation when it becomes clear King never explained how Pamela powered up so significantly she was able to control 8 billion people. EIGHT BILLION PEOPLE! It's really an unforgivable sin. It's one of those moments where I just don't understand how an editor could've possibly let it pass. Compounding matters further, Bruce tells Pamela she didn't actually kill the five men she thought she killed, the thing that seemed to set her on this course in the first place. (King also doesn't explain why she's feeling this way now, years after the event. Again, didn't the editor raise an eyebrow?) I believe Bruce is saying the Riddler shot them dead but (again, for an unclear reason) wanted Pamela to believe she did it. But, it doesn't explain why the Riddler would want her to feel the blame or how Pamela just overlooked the fact their bodies were ridden with bullet. I just don't get it, and it's a shame, because King does such a great job with the emotional beats.
Nightwing #41: This arc has been really hit or miss, and this issue itself is the same way. On one hand, I liked Guppie's focus on getting Dick to forgive himself for letting the Judge run up the death toll he has. Guppie points out Dick forgave Baby Ruthless and Detective Svoboda for their transgressions and is trying to get Guppie to forgive himself for killing his father, but Dick's unwilling to let himself off the hook. It's a good point and a good insight into Dick's character. But, I don't understand how Dick magically stopped the Judge. Sure, I bought the idea he -- and he alone -- could resist the Judge's offer of living happily ever after in exchange for allowing the Judge to return to the sea. But, he basically just tackles him underwater and calls it a day. Was the Judge really that weak? He was in his natural element, but he couldn't outwrestle Dick? (I mean, I'm even giving Higgins a pass on the fact I don't think we ever learned how the Judge got his supernatural powers in the first place.) It just seemed like Higgins knew he had to wrap up the story; he didn't need the Judge anymore, so Dick was now able to capture him. Meh.
Pathfinder: Spiral of Bones #1: I love Pathfinder, but I have to admit this issue is a miss for me. Valeros and company have come to Kaer Maga to learn more about Thassilonian magic. Cool, I get that part. Thassilonian magic has certainly caused them some trouble. Valeros gets into a dispute with a troll fortune teller, but he's saved by Imrijka, a half-orc fuck buddy from his caravan days. Imrijka is a inquisitor of Pharasma, and it's entirely possible it wasn't coincidence she ran into them. I just don't yet understand why she would be tailing them, but Frasier seems to be implying something is afoot here. At any rate, Ezren and Harsk get into trouble when Ezren accidentally teleports them into Kaer Maga's extensive undercity, and Ezren calls Seoni via a message spell for help. Making their way to the undercity, Merisiel and Valeros have an odd conversation about kids, with Valeros saying he doesn't want to leave a kid without a dad if he dies on an adventure. It's weird, but it's also a sign Valeros may have some honest-to-goodness emotions somewhere in there, so I'll take it. Of course, Valeros then gets knocked through a wall during a skirmish, touches a mysterious gem, and finds himself held by a goat-horned, blue-skinned woman in the afterlife. I appreciate Frasier's focus on Valeros as a person and not just a mindless brawler, but something about the setup here felt forced to me. For example, touching a mysterious gem on an altar is a pretty rookie mistake for someone with Valeros' experience, and something about his relationship (such as it is) with Imrijka also felt totally forced. We'll see where we go from here, I guess.
Youngblood #10: This issue is interesting, because Bowers again shows his willingness to explore the psychological impact superheroing has on people. When a Hulk-like monster breaks free of a Japanese holding facility, Ryan deploys Team Youngblood. The faux Hulk (Fulk?) quickly overpowers Dolante and Vogue, and Horatio only manages to stop him by stomping on him. However, Fulk eventually breaks through Horatio's feet and proceeds to break two fingers. Dolante makes a connection with the creature, but an enraged Horatio grabs him and intends to bite off his head. Vogue tries to reason with him as Dolante threatens to incapacitate him, but Horatio tells Vogue she doesn't understand what he's seen because she hasn't been in the game as long as he has. He's obviously traumatized from the period when he was working as a mercenary against his will, and he tells Vogue he can't have anymore blood on his hands. However, Vogue has Dolante incapacitate him before he can kill Fulk. The difference between Horatio's argument here and Kate's argument in "Detective Comics" is Bowers makes it clear other options exist to neutralize Fulk's threat before it kills anyone else (as opposed to Batwoman having to take the kill-shot to stop Clayface's rampage). Ryan reveals the entire ordeal was tantamount to an audition. As a natural leader, he needs a team to lead, and he's worked out an agreement with the Japanese Prime Minister. She offers them official status, which they accept, on the condition Horatio isn't included. I'm pretty sure they've just made their number-one enemy here. I give a lot of credit for Bowers for where he's gone with Horatio. After all, he's the whole reason Youngblood came together, so his immediate fall from grace is shocking, both to the reader and the team. It's not something I feel like we'd see in DC or Marvel books.
Also Read: Quantum & Woody #4
No comments:
Post a Comment