THE WEEK (JAN 2-8, 2012)

FEATURED REVIEW

New Avengers #1
(Hickman, Epting)
Jonathan Hickman's Avengers is already a homerun as far as I'm concerned, so I very much am looking forward to what he's got planned for New Avengers, which he's teased as being focused on the Marvel Illuminati attempting to stop the universe from colliding with another!

Batman Incorporated #6
(Morrison, Burnham)
Things have been getting increasingly better in Batman, Inc, and it has to do with Morrison finally breaking into some plot advancement instead of muddling around in mythos and talk of legacy and destiny.

The Flash #15
(Manapul, Buccellato)
Flash was absent from Justice League#15 due to Grodd's invasion of Keystone City. That's how important Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato's "Gorilla Warfare" storyline seems to be -- that DC is cool with not having Barry hanging with the League for a while. And it makes sense because "Gorilla Warfare" is just so damn good.

Justice League Dark #15
(Lemire, Nolan)
What more can I say about Jeff Lemire's Justice League Dark other than it's one of DC's best current series. The fallout of "War for the Books of Magic" has left a void in the magic stability of the DC universe, and it's up the JLD to figure out how to get things working again.

Superman #15
(Lobdell, Rocafort)
"H'el on Earth" has been piecing itself together since Superman #13, a prologue issue that did little to build up this so-called major crossover. Scott Lobdell's narrative in Superman seems to be the primary storyline, though a lot more has been revealed and/or told about H'el -- and the story in general -- in the pages of Supergirl and Superboy thus far. Hopefully, Lobdell has something up his sleeve to really get this crossover to the next level, whatever that means.

Teen Titans #15
(Lobdell, Booth)
Finally, Teen Titans crosses over with Scott Snyder's "Death of the Family" as Red Robin has apparently been taken hostage by the Joker in Gotham City. Naturally, the team rolls out to save dear old RR, but what does that mean for a group of kids with no prior experience with the Clown Prince of Crime?

Extra! Extra!

All-New X-Men #5
(Bendis, Immonen)

Batman: The Dark Knight #15
(Hurwitz, Finch)

Red Lanterns #15
(Milligan, Sepulveda)

Talon #3
(Tynion IV, Snyder, Ryp)

TALON #0

STORY: James Tynion IV and Scott Snyder
ART: Guillem March

It's got to be his costume. For a while now, I've been inexplicably averse to Talon, a series that spins out of Scott Snyder's "Court of Owls" arc on Batman that quickly turned a large part of the Batman mythos - Gotham City itself - onto it's head. The Court represented everything Bruce doesn't know about his hometown, and that's a frightening venture for the man labeled Gotham's Son. Honestly, I don't know why I was so skeptical about Talon. Perhaps it was the fact that another series had been cancelled to make way for one more Batman-related title. Maybe it was the relative freshness of the Court of Owls as a concept that made me question it's ability to act as a premise for a stand-alone series. But like I mentioned above, I think it's just his costume. Like the other three "Third Wave" titles beginning this month, it's difficult to gauge Talon's effectiveness as an ongoing title because this "Issue Zero" is technically the series' first, meaning there's no 'issue one' to base a prequel story upon. It's a bit wonky, but the system worked for The Phantom Stranger, so why can't it work here too?

Talon #0 introduces Calvin Rose, the only person to ever escape the Court of Owls (besides Batman, I'm assuming we're meant to know). Rose is an escape artists, able to free himself from even the most binding of situations, which is an interesting way to make his escape from the Court all the more believable. Though a lot of information is given in the pages of this prequel issue, it's obvious that this series is going to be well-paced, balancing Rose's personal journey to use his abilities to protect people with a focus on the Court and it's many facets throughout. At the end of the issue, it's evident how well James Tynion IV and Scott Snyder have crafted this story. Snyder is just co-plotting, so his influence is only slightly felt while Tynion's impressive writing style shines through from the first page.

Predictably, the story of Talon #0, "The Long Run", takes place five years in the past, when Calvin Rose first escapes the Court and strikes out on his own, always on the run. Tynion does an admirable job conveying Calvin's growing uncomfortableness over the Court's violent methods and murderous ways. Of course, there are some points that could have been slowed down/sped up, but in the end, Tynion gets his point across. Calvin's personal ethics get in the way of the Court's desires, and he ends of saving the lives of a mother and daughter he was specifically assigned to kill. Talk about walking off the job, huh?

Talon #0 does an adequate job introducing readers the Calvin Rose and the world we'll be following each month going forward, and while this series is technically tied to Batman (who I'm sure we'll be seeing at some point soon), it's already created it's own mood and tone that differs from the Dark Knight's - while Batman is about the pain and the fear, Talon seems to be about hope and moving forward. Calvin Rose is already interesting and already has my sympathies. With a traumatic (but not too traumatic) childhood, a similar training regiment to Batman, and a conscience that beats out any Court of Owls brainwashing, Calvin might just be one of the more interesting characters in the 'New 52' so far.

GRADE

A

UPCOMING REVIEWS (SEP 26 - OCT 2)

Aquaman #0
(Johns, Reis)
- In Aquaman's "Issue Zero", Arthur goes to Atlantis for the first time! Knowing Geoff Johns, this issue, while set in the past, will most likely connect to the upcoming "Throne of Atlantis" crossover between Aquaman and Justice League.

Batman Incorporated #0

(Morrison, Burnham)

- Honestly, I'm not sure how this issue will pan out. Grant Morrison tends to have a pretty set path when it comes to his intricate narratives, so this prequel issue might throw a wrench into the gears. Then again, since Batman Incorporated #0 is all about Batman recruiting his soldiers around the world, it could have no effect at all. Them's the breaks.

The Flash #0
(Manapul, Buccellato)
- See Barry Allen get his powers! I'll assume he also gets into his first bout after receiving said powers. This issue would be pretty boring, otherwise. Fortunately, that won't happen with Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato at the helm, both of whom have guided The Flash over the past year and done a dynamite job doing so.

Justice League Dark #0

(Lemire, Janin)

- I'm skeptical about Justice League Dark, a team-based title that's only focusing on one character. I had the same skepticism about Green Lantern Corps #0, and that issue was a total bust. Hopefully, Jeff Lemire can keep the magic going with JLD #0 (pun definitely intended) as he looks into the life of young John Constantine.

Superman #0
(Lobdell, Rocafort)
- Well, one of my least favorite creative writers is moving in on Superman. Scott Lobdell has decided that tainting Teen Titans and Superboy wasn't enough, and now he wants to muck up the Man of Steel. Rumors have been flying about a Scott Snyder-helmed Man of Steel title coming out soon, which I hope is the case because with Grant Morrison leaving Action Comics, and Lobdell taking over Superman with this "Issue Zero", Superman's adventures are about to be lacking.

Talon #0

(Tynion IV, Snyder, March)

- I really, really have to stop second guessing Talon. I keep telling myself I won't enjoy it, that it's too narrow a premise to justify it's ongoing status. Then I remember that Scott Snyder is co-plotting this series with one of his favorite students, James Tynion IV. Snyder has done phenomenal work on Batman over the past year, and now the super-popular Court of Owls has a series all to itself.

Teen Titans #0
(Lobdell, Kirkham)
- With Superboy, Wonder Girl, and Kid Flash's histories (somewhat) already explained, it's time to focus on Red Robin, Skitter, and Bunker! I'll give credit to Lobdell for actually focusing on more than one (or two, in the case of The Ravagers) character in a prequel for a TEAM-BASED series. I'm not expecting much, as I never much do with Lobdell, but I'm still excited to see how Tim Drake came to be Red Robin without ever being an official 'Robin.'

4-Sentence Reviews

* Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #3 of 6

* Captain Marvel #4

* I, Vampire #0

* National Comics: Rose & Thorn

(FEATURE) NEWS, NEWS, & MORE NEWS!

It figures that the weekend I'm out of communication with the civilized world - sleeping in the fields of Manchester, Tennessee and attending four straight days of nigh-constant music - the comic book world gets bombarded with news concerning cancellations, new titles, and anniversary events! Well, here's a little rundown of DC's weekend activities and how they will affect "The Endless Reel"


'NEW 52' THIRD WAVE & ZERO ISSUES ANNOUNCED

Announced this weekend, September will be see every title under the 'New 52' banner receive their very own "Issue Zero" to commemorate the anniversary of DC's imprint relaunch. Every issue will get a 'Zero' issue in September, continuing with their 13th (or 5th, in the case of 'Second Wave' titles) issue in October. DC has also announced FOUR new series being added to the 'New 52' lineup, bringing the total number of titles to a whopping 55, seeing as Justice League International will be ending in August, with an Annual issue in September.

The first new title is Talon, a spin-off from Scott Snyder's Batman that will feature Calvin Rose, the only assassin to ever escape the Court of Owls. Snyder's work on Batman over the past year has been phenomenal and the Court's influence over Gotham is a vast entity that's only been scratched at the surface. Hopefully, Talon will be as good as Snyder's current work, though it will be written by co-plotter James Tynion IV. Second is the Dan DiDio-helmed Phantom Stranger, a character we were only offered a glimpse of in this year's Free Comic Book Day issue, The New 52 #1. The Stranger's connection to magic seems more overt in the 'New 52' universe, but his mystery will most likely be just as enigmatic and tight-lipped as before. Sword of Sorcery will be DC's newest mystical jaunt with a fan-demanded "Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld" tale coupled with a "Beowulf" back-up story by Tony Bedard with art by Jesus Saiz. "Amethyst" will be written by Christy Marx and pencilled by Aaron Lopresti, whose work on Justice League International has be great for it's entire run. Finally, Team Seven will merge the DC and Wildstorm universes even further with an - obviously - team-based series set in this universe's pre-superhero days with characters like a young Steve Trevor, Dinah Lance (Black Canary), Amanda Waller, a pre-Grifter Cole Cash, Alex Fairchild, John Lynch, and the Deathstroke: Slade Wilson. T7 will be written by Justin Jordan with art by Jesus Marino.

Come September, I'll be covering all "Issue Zero"s for Talon, Sword of Sorcery, Phatom Stranger, and Team Seven to determine which series (or two) I'll add to the list of regularly scheduled coverage in October. Based on page hits and '+1's, I'll make a decision.



GREEN LANTERN #0 TO POSSIBLY INTRODUCE ARAB GL

In DC's Free Comic Book Day offering this year, The New 52 #1, the final pages of the issue revealed a massive fight between some of the most iconic characters from the 'New 52' so far, along with an array of reintroduced characters like Elemental Woman (from Flashpoint), Black Adam (supposedly), the Atom, Vibe, as well as a mysterious new Green Lantern that seemed to have darker skin.

Now, with promotional art from Green Lantern #0 coming this September, we can see this new Green Lantern busting through the cover with an Arabic phrase tattooed on his right arm. Roughly translated to courage, bravery, or fearless - appropriately - the tattoo marks a second drive toward diversity for the Green Lantern brand in less than a month, considering Green Lantern Alan Scott's announced sexual orientation. While this new GL's first image also has him brandishing a handgun for some reason, it's safe to say DC isn't looking to make one of it's most iconic and famous characters a 'bad' person in any way. But everything is relative, and next year's promised "Trinity War" event seems to be part of this new GL's story.



DC CANCELS THREE MORE 'NEW 52' TITLES

After announcing four new titles being added to the 'New 52' lineup, bringing the total to 55 starting in September, DC quickly announced, just today and only one two days after it's initial announcement, the cancellation of three more titles on the heels of Justice League International in August. While they will still receive their "Issue Zero"s, Captain Atom, Resurrection Man, and Voodoo will all end in September, making way for the 'Third Wave' titles. While all three titles were performing poorly, Resurrection Man is a featured title here at "The Endless Reel" and will be missed, along withe Justice League International. Both JLI's Annual issue and Resurrection Man's "Issue Zero" will be covered here in September to give them proper send-offs.

In cancellation-related news, Dan DiDio did also announce that DC Universe Presents #0 will feature the Blackhawks, Hawk and Dove, O.M.A.C., and Mister Terrific, all characters whose series were cancelled during the 'Second Wave' back in May. This shows that DC is committed to it's characters, even if their series don't work out. This means that, hopefully, we'll see more of Mitch Shelley and the JLI in the future, somewhere in the pages of the 'New 52'.

(NIGHT OF THE OWLS) BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #9

STORY: Judd Winick
ART: David Finch and Richard Friend

While this is the correct Talon, Red Robin does not fight him....?

As you probably know either from experience or simply just from prior knowledge of DC's business practices, Batman has a big presence in the 'New 52.' Not only is he DC's most popular hero, but it's possible the sales numbers for Bat-related books keep others afloat (I'm looking at you, Demon Knights.) But with a big presence comes a larger potential for shitty, unnecessary titles that add bloat instead of important - or even interesting - plot or character development. Batman: The Dark Knight falls right in the middle; it's not a terrible book, but it's also not the best Batman-related title that DC offers. That being said, Batman: The Dark Knight #9 happens to be my favorite crossover issue for "Night of the Owls". It's an issue that focuses mostly on a Talon named Carver who's career lasted too long. Technically, he was the final talon before Dick Grayson's generation, giving him a closer connection to the events of Batman's life.

Inner monologue is a tricky thing to successfully convey. If - at any moment - the reader feels like the character's thoughts are corny, cheesy, or downright ridiculous, it's a lot harder to relate to that particular title. No one thinks in sentences about their grand plans and how their unique abilities will help them complete said plans (i.e. - I never think to myself, "I'm going to use my skill in writing to keep up with my blog now!" and then proceed to write.) We call this the 'Scott Lobdell Principle' here at "The Endless Reel." The trick is to integrate the reader so smoothly into the thoughts of the desired character, that the reader becomes connected (no matter how temporarily) to said character. Judd Winick is one of those writers who gets it - he makes inner monologue feel less forced.

Batman: The Dark Knight #9 follows Talon Carver's life from childhood to undead resurrection. It's been interesting to see how DC's conveyed these Talons as enemies. At first, it seemed like they were somewhat mindless drones that obeyed the Court of Owls without question. As we near the end of "Night of the Owls", it's becoming more and more clear that these Talons have control over their own thoughts, and some choose to be completely loyal, while others explore the undead life they've been given. In this case, Carver obeys the Court, but mostly for his own sense of redemption. Carver's career as a Talon ended in disgrace after he botched an assassination, was seen by the Batman, and then fled.

Carver was the Talon sent after Lincoln March that we met a few weeks ago in Batman #9. B:TDK reinterprets the scene to include Talon Carver's perspective on the events. In the end, Carver is still old, slow, and weak. The difference is that this time, he accepts his fate; he feels deserving of the cruel end he's been dealt because he's no longer good enough for anything else.

"Night of the Owls" has been at it's best when it gives the Talons compelling characterization. Batman: The Dark Knight #9 does the best job - so far - of making an emotional connection between the reader and Talon Carver. And he escapes at the end! Does this mean we haven't seen the last of Carver? Will he return as a Talon or as a new villain? Next month promises the return of Scarecrow, but part of me just wants to change this series' title to Carver and follow this Talon on his quest to understand where he fits into the world.

GRADE:

A

PS - The cover is a total mislead - Red Robin shows up for exactly one panel, and it's only to listen to orders from Batman. A total letdown. This grade would have been an 'A+' if not for that tease.

(NIGHT OF THE OWLS) CATWOMAN #9 & BIRDS OF PREY #9

STORY: Judd Winick
ART: Guillem March

I've never been a huge Catwoman fan, not as a villain or as an anti-hero. But I understand the appeal and I respect what the character has done for feminism (or anti-feminism, depending on who you ask) in the pages of Batman books over the years. I hesitated to read Catwoman when relaunched under the 'New 52', mostly because I was already reading a bunch of Batman-related titles and didn't want to overload myself on the Gotham Gloomies. I mean seriously, how many heroes can operate in a single city without running into each other on a regular basis? Apparently, at least eleven.

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed Catwoman #9 because it wasn't a straightforward "Night of the Owls" tie-in that just pits a Talon against Selena Kyle. Instead, the Talon in question is fleshed out to an appropriate length. Ephraim Newhouse was once an oddly duty-bound Talon whom the Court retired early (and naked) to atone for murdering British soldiers and losing his sacred knives. Now, the current Court promises Newhouse his honor restored if he assassinates the Penguin.

Simultaneously, Catwoman and Spark (her partner? Again, I haven't read Catwoman, so I'm assuming their friends and they work together - JM) are waiting for Cobblepot to leave his bar so they can steal a dagger with an owl head on the handle. When the Talon shows up to 'off' the Penguin, Selena considers it an unfair fight and takes on the Talon with Spark close behind her.

After a bunch of fighting, Judd Winick gets down to the real meat of the story; Newhouse's honor. The blade of concern for all of these characters was one of Newhouse's lost daggers, of which he desperately wants back. Selena has the rest and after another round of fist-throwing, the Penguin finally blows out Newhouse's brains. Catwoman leaves the corpse at the Batsignal for Bruce to pick up, but leaves Newhouse with his lost daggers as a sign of respect - and of good storytelling.

GRADE:
A





STORY: Duane Swierczynski
ART: Travel Foreman and Jeff Huet

Much like Batwing and Detective Comics a few weeks ago, Birds of Prey #9 doesn't bring much to the table for "Night of the Owls". Sure, it's got a little backstory for the 'Talon of the Week', but other than that, this issue's villain could have been anybody else. What I've noticed so far is that "Night of the Owls" tie-ins are effective when they add more to the overall Court of Owls mythology. Unfortunately, the Birds of Prey simply get jammed into the foray with little reason. Hell, Black Canary still thinks Batman is 'mythical'. Seriously? She's a superhero in Gotham City and is not certain that Batman exists? Whatever.

This issue's Talon has a handlebar moustache that connects to his mutton chops. It's a very perplexing image, a major juxtaposition to the Talons trained in martial arts and the like. This man seems like he's out of the Civil War, not only in appearance, but also in mannerisms and behavior towards women. Yep, the Birds get the only sexist Talon in the bunch so far because of course the Birds get the only sexist Talon in the bunch so far. A lot of Birds of Prey #9 feels forced, and that never makes for good reading.

GRADE:
C+

(NIGHT OF THE OWLS) BATGIRL #9

STORY: Gail Simone
ART: Adrian Syaf and Vicente Cifuentes

(Cringe). I actually started reading Batgirl back when it started last September. Unfortunately, Gail Simone decided - by, like, issue three - that Barbara Gordon needed a sassy roommate. Also unfortunate is the fact that these days, nobody seems to know how to write a female-based series without forcibly including some 'alternative' roommate or friend of some sort to give these heroes a semblance of a real life. It might just be me, but it felt like lazy storytelling. And so does Batgirl #9, the title's only issue crossing over with "Night of the Owls", and one that simply doesn't make any sense.

The issue begins in Japan in 1944 at a factory where a young girl named Ayumi is building giant balloons with other children her age. Eventually, it's revealed that these heavy-duty balloons were used to carry bombs across the Pacific Ocean to attack the mainland United States. Literally two full pages are given to Ayumi before we're transported to Haly's Circus in 1945 as a Court of Owls representative has come to take their next Talon. That era's Mr. Haly offers up a girl whose face was burned off by one of the balloon bombs from Japan during the war. Then - finally - Simone takes us to Gotham present to follow Barbara as she faces off against the female Talon from 1945. Four pages of random exposition are given before the main character of the book is even seen.

Then the balloon bombs show up? Simone never takes the time to explain if the Court saved the bombs from 1944, or if they built new ones, or whatever it was. The point is, these bombs just appear out of nowhere and that's jarring as a reader. Batgirl continues her fight with the female Talon and Batgirl falls of the ledge, hanging on for dear life. Instead of killing her, the Talon lets her live until they fight again and she wants Batgirl dead again. When Barbara finally does manage to take the Talon down, the girl uses her blood to write a message about masks and having them and such.

It's sooooooooooooo melodramatic. Gail Simone seems to think this sappy ridiculousness is good and it's not. I wish I had better words to use, but it's trite and this issue doesn't do anything to inspire a desire to read any more of Batgirl. The art was decent.

GRADE:

C-

(NIGHT OF THE OWLS) BATMAN #9

STORY: Scott Snyder
ART: Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion

The shit has hit the fan.

Scott Snyder has spent the last year crafting one of the best Batman storylines in years - and it didn't involve a death of a main character! Snyder's Court of Owls is such a great metaphor for the unknown, the uncovered. This month puts Bruce right into the thick of the "Night of the Owls", first by finishing up his fight in the Batcave, then to save Lincoln March, a character Snyder developed fantastically early on in the series and is just now coming back...only to die.

Batman #9 is probably one of the least plot-heavy issues of the series to date, relying mostly on action sequences to push it forward. While this might normally be a problem, "Night of the Owls" continues on through issue eleven in Batman - while only crossing over with the other Bat books this month - so stretching out Bruce's plot isn't as detrimental as it could be. The first half of the issue is spent wrapping up the attack on Wayne Manor, pitting Mecha-Batman against a half-dozen Talons. Alfred is dropping the cave's temperature as fast as he can to counteract the Talons' regenerative abilities and the Bat-Gundam is slowly being torn to pieces. 

Of course, the Talons finally freeze and Bruce makes his escape to go and save Jeremiah Arkham - a plot point added at the eleventh hour - before going after March. Bruce's visit to Arkham Asylum is depicted in the pages of last week's Detective Comics in rather dull detail. Fortunately, March's panels at the end of the issue are superb, and while his time in the Batman universe has been brief, he was such a good foil to Bruce that I still felt upset when he died. His last words are about how great Gotham can be, telling Batman to make sure Bruce Wayne knows that the dream shouldn't die. It's probably one of the best emotional moments in the series so far, and it simply pushes Bruce past the edge.

GRADE:

A+

(NIGHT OF THE OWLS) BATMAN AND ROBIN #9

STORY: Peter J. Tomasi
ART: Lee Garbett, Andy Clarke, Ray McCarthy, and Keith Champagne

First off, I want to apologize for not writing up reviews for Batwing and Detective Comics last week. I know I said I would be covering all issues of DC's 'New 52' connected to Batman's "Night of the Owls" event, but those two issues were downright boring. I understand the desire to want an Bat Family-wide crossover to it's fullest, but those two titles felt soooo forced, I just couldn't write enough about them - good or bad - to justify a review.

That being said, Batman and Robin #9 is a much better (if not great) chapter in the "Night of the Owls" saga, one that sees Robin on his own in a surprising new light: commanding officer. Damien's role in the counteroffensive against the Talons takes him outside Gotham city limits to find and protect Major General Benjamin Burrows, and it just so happens Burrows is running night drills with his troops.

Damien goes into military mode, barking orders and setting precise formations to best defend against the undead assassin. It's a little confusing, how Batman and his allies so readily put others in the line of fire to protect others. Basically, Robin is forced to outrun the Talon by leaving foot soliders behind to slow it's advance - a decision Damien knows will lead them to their death. I understand that Burrows is a target and that his status makes him a key player in Gotham, but it seems negligent to allow soliders to be slaughtered in a scenario they weren't ready or trained for. Of course, this could be exactly how Peter J. Tomasi wanted to play it.

The story falls apart, somewhat, when General Burrows' family history is injected. During the Revolutionary War, George Washington promised a large sum of land to Edwin Wilkins. When Wilkins was taken by the British, this specific Talon was called upon to murder Wilkins and his family to secure the promised land for the Court of Owls. The Talon was successful with all but the youngest Wilkins son, who somehow survived and was adopted by the Burros family, making General Burrows the last surviving descendent of Edwin Wilkins. Now, this Talon asked to come after Gen. Burrows to finally complete the mission he was given over 200 years ago.

This connection between the Talon and Burrows would make a whole lot more sense if Burrows still owned the land, or anything like that. In the flashback, the Talon even says that the Court eventually took control of the land, so why does he care so much about killing Burrows? It doesn't make much sense and pulls down a book that was pretty damn good up to that point.

GRADE:

B-

(NIGHT OF THE OWLS) NIGHTWING #8

STORY: Kyle Higgins
ART: Eddy Barrows, Ruy Jose, and Eber Ferreira

I've been reading Nightwing since the launch of the 'New 52' last September, and I honestly thought long and hard about the decision to omit it from the regularly-covered titles for "The Endless Reel". In the end, I opted to focus on two of the 'main' Bat books (Batman and Batman and Robin) instead of branching out too much. That being said, Nightwing is a great title with a poignant first arc dealing with Dick's connection to Haly's Circus and how that part of his life will never really go away. Plus, it made for a great segue into the "Night of the Owls" event!

While the cover might call Nightwing #8 a 'Prelude' to the main event, that's only half-true. The issue is split between a historical narrative about William Cobb - Dick's great-grandfather - and Nightwing answering Alfred's call to arms in Batman #8 by attempting to reach Mayor Sebastian Hady before the Talons can assassinate him. Unfortunately, both storylines suffer from the split. William Cobb's backstory only covers childhood and early adulthood before the issue ends, and Nightwing's fight against the Talon assassin seems brief and almost easy for Dick.

At the end of the issue, Kyle Higgins reveals that the Talon is actually William Cobb - rescued from the Batcave by a fellow Talon - who is hunting down his descendent because "[Dick's] betrayal takes everything I sacrificed and made it worthless." I'm sure Higgins will continue to delve into the history of William Cobb next month, but for now, it feels fragmented.

GRADE:

B+

(NIGHT OF THE OWLS) BATMAN #8

STORY: Scott Snyder
ART: Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion

Ladies and Gentlemen, "Night of the Owls" has begun!

Scott Snyder kicks things off for us this month with a stunning issue of Batman that sets up the infestation of Gotham City while pitting Bruce against more Talons than Alfred can count. "The Court of Owls" was a great storyline, one where Snyder attempted to convey the kind of enigma-shrouded terror that the Court and their Talon instilled, not only in Batman, but also the audience. While this might sound like a no-brained when it comes to comic books en masse, it's not often that writers want the audience to take the emotional journey with the main character. Too often, being a removed, third-person omniscient narrator allows writers too much leeway to show readers everything all the time instead of parsing it out over time.

While any regular Batman reader would, at this point, know what's going on, the emotional element is how Snyder creates such fantastic stories. The Court of Owls represents Batman's failures, not in defeating his enemies, but in truly understanding what it is that he's fighting. Bruce believed he was Gotham's Son, a man with such an intensely personal relationship with the city that it couldn't be rivaled. The revelation of the Court's existence crushes Bruce's esteem and confidence, turning him into a whining 12 year old girl who was called a "bitch" at school by Becky Johansen. Or - in the Batman version of this pre-teen - Bruce stands in the dark staring at a model version of Gotham City as he gazes past the buildings and into it's soul.

The actual attack by the Talons is truly terrifying. Written media rarely makes my skin crawl (the exceptions being Mark Z. Danielewski's fantastic House of Leaves, and the utter decrepit violence in Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.'s Kick-Ass) yet the threat of the Talons growing larger with every passing second sent chills down my back. I worried for Alfred, alone in the cave as a lone Talon came after him, and I worried again when the Talons start realizing that Bruce is Batman.

With fantastic art by Greg Capullo, a completely engaging narrative that ropes you in and never lets go, and a great lead-in to the main events in Gotham next month, Batman #8 is the best issue of the series to date, something Scott Snyder better stop doing soon before he can't outdo himself anymore!

GRADE:

A+