Batman Annual #2

Batman Annual #2 was interesting.  This was the story of Arkham Asylum, an orderly’s first day and the asylums first patient.  We also had Batman because without him there would not be a Batman comic book.  Batman was at the Asylum to test some new security features.  The new orderly was there on his first day to try and help people, there was a joke about him being from Metropolis.  The first patient was there because she felt guilty for accidentally killing her parents back in the day before there was an Arkham Asylum.  She was still alive because she had a power that let her travel through walls and the rest what we call solid objects.  She was unhappy with Batman for turning her home and place of healing into a place of punishment where people such as the Joker are sent.  So she decides this time she will try to kill Batman in payment for how he changed her safe place.  It was an interesting and sad story, well done.  But the tie-in to the Zero Year was clumsy and not more than a single page – basically Zero Year was mentioned simply to help sell this comic.  If you bought this comic just because of the Zero Year tie-in you were robbed.

Batman #22 Zero Year!

Batman #22 Zero Year: The Zero Year idea is interesting and well written so do not take what I say next as saying the comic is bad it is actually good.  But I have to say we have already done the Batman Year One story, the secret origin and story before Bruce Wayne became Batman.  One of the things I liked about the New52 Batman was we did not need to repeat the same old stories.  I am also thinking that Red Hood One sounds a little too much like the Joker.   So I am rather disappointed that DC has gone to yet another gimmick to try and boost sales.  Instead it would be nice if the creative team was allowed to just make good stories and not constantly try to make the next great comic blockbuster.

Batman #21 (Zero Year)!

Batman #21 (Zero Year) – Ok that was interesting.  I am really not thrilled with the whole going back to a simpler time in Batman’s life.  Going to see when Batman was just Bruce Wayne in a bat suit.  But at least this one started out with promise – I say promise because the story starts out “Six Years Ago” with what looks like a post-apocalyptic look.  The kid fishing in the subway was a good touch.  But then we flash back again to when it is just Batman and Pennyworth doing stuff.  Bruce is still legally dead and yet some of his relatives have figured out Bruce is still alive.  There is lots of talking, lots of building up stuff that might mean nothing.  But I would rather see what happens with the Red Hood gang and why Gotham City is even more messed up than normal – so it is time for the writers to move things along now please.  Good stuff!