CD Giveaway - 33Miles, "One Life"
Ends Aug 4, 2010
The country-pop sound established in their eponymous debut is a mainstay for this album as well, and even adds a little more southern flavor. |
CD Giveaway - Phil Wickham, "Cannons"
Ends Aug 3, 2010
With an opening shot that hits the sonic pinnacle, this collection of spiritual Brit pop/rock is heavily influenced by Keane, Travis, Coldplay, and U2. |
DVD Giveaway: Kick-Ass
Ends Aug 1, 2010
Get ready to have your ass kicked when this DVD of awesomeness releases to the home entertainment market. |
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Comic Book Review: Detective Comics #796
by R.J. Carter
Published: July 4, 2004
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Detective Comics #796 |
"...and red all over." |
Anderson Gabrych
Pete Woods
Nathan Massengill |
DC |
$2.95 US
$4.50 CAN |
A |
For more information: DC Comics link |
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(Warning: reviews at The Trades contain plot spoilers.)
The Internet has been buzzing for the last several months about the change in the Robin character from Tim Drake to Stephanie Brown. A lot of people don't like it. Another good number are ambivalent. Me, I've tried to take it in stride. But with Detective Comics #796 I've decided to take a stand.
I love it!
Anderson Gabrych's story finds Batman training his new partner while on the job: taking down purse snatchers and the like. But when Oracle alerts him to a murder scene, it's time to either send Stephanie home to the cave or bring her face-to-face with one of Batman's deadliest foes--the serial killer Zsasz.
Batman: Lesson's over. Go home. Zsasz is too dangerous.
Robin: But wait. You'll need help finding this guy.
Batman: Finding him isn't the hard part.
Robin: Hey, look! I'm not gonna learn anything if you keep protecting me. It's not like he's going to be the first place we look, right? (sic) They never are...
Batman: Hm. One more stop, and then home. No discussions, no arguments. And you do one thing before we go any further...
Narrative box: Thirty minutes later...
Robin: This new outfit you gave me itches like crazy.
Batman: An aluminum/fiberglass weave will do that. Now back on task--
There are several things to like about this issue. One, it's a detective story. Batman is teaching Robin how to be a crimefighter, something that's been sorely lacking with Tim Drake who already seems to have developed to the stage of a mini-Batman. Secondly, we get a creative insight into how Zsasz views the world, and how he selects his victims.
Plus, I just really like the very minor changes to the Robin outfit before tackling Zsasz, like the ultra-high collar to protect the entire neck. And Steph's going to need it, because, contrary to her earlier pleadings, Zsasz does end up being in the first place they look. And the character of Robin once again becomes Batman's ace-in-the-hole.
 So if I love the issue so much, why not an A+? Well, there's a backup story. Although also written by Gabrych and competently drawn by Brad Walker and Troy Nixey, it's a story I've already seen once this month--good guys setting themselves up to be seen as bad guys so they can infiltrate other bad guys. In this case, it's Orpheus and Onyx who, in a crowded dining club operated by the ubiquitous Penguin, battle Batman and Batgirl--and seemingly win. I could actually live with the plot, being handled actually more plausibly than Justice League Elite if it weren't for the fact that I'm just sick to death of seeing the Penguin everywhere these days. Catch him and put him away already, will you, or at least take him from being a joke into someone that's a worthy opponent.
However, neither that nor the price increase this issue will keep me from picking this one up this week. Who could resist that magnificent Tim Sale cover that just leaps out at the viewer? Not this reviewer.
In stores Thursday, July 8, 2004.
Advance comics are provided courtesy of The Comic Book Store of Little Rock. Michael Tierney, proprietor, even has his own book out, Wild Stars. Check it out.
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