All my reviews of Batman OYL thus far:
DETECTIVE COMICS #817
REVIEW:
This is it! One Year Later (OYL). This point is a new beginning for old readers but THE beginning for new readers. In terms of Batman, setting him up in OYL, they mentioned what they wanted to do with him. I didn't want to listen to their plans so I can read this freshly.
Let's go, TO THE BATMOBILE!
Story: In the year where "he" has been gone, Harvey Dent has been keeping Gotham clean the best he can. But after KGBeast's death, and the return of Poison Ivy, Gordon, back as Commissioner, goes up to the rooftops and activates the old bat signal. Upon admiring the hearing of the cheers of Gothamites, a familar voice is heard; "Hello Jim. You called, I came."
The best Batman story? The old fashion detective story. Does this have it? OH YEAH IT DOES! Despite the fact that this just a setup for the arc, this IS the Batman we are grew up on. From the old books, Batman: The Animated Series, and the current season of The Batman, this was great.
This issue still gives us some shockers to pass the time of the next couple weeks til the next chapter: KGBeast dies as stated in the story paragraph, Bullock returns after a long absense, Ivy, thought to be dead, returns, and finally Gordon is commissioner...again. I knew it was gonna happen but since this was an arc, I must've thought he was gonna be commissioner by the end of the arc. Guess not. Again, OYL for new readers too.
To end this, this was a great issue. Despite the fact it was a setup, its still good for old readers from the things like shockers to the stuff that was BATMAN. As for new readers, same thing. OYL is looking good.
RATING: 8.5/10
BATMAN #651
REVIEW:
Detective #817 opened with a setup issue for the arc. From it, we saw classic old fashioned Batman returning and we were about to see a fight with Ivy in the next one (next one being THIS one). I heard couple negetives about this issue but let's see...
Story: When the bat-signal was lit, every single person in Gotham reacted. People who love, liked, and even hate the Batman were on it as Batman & Robin fought Ivy as their batplane exploded from Ivy's plants. Inside, the changes Batman has went through even surprises Ivy. But the night isn't even doen yet....
What surprises me in this issue is Batman. He's loosen up, more trusting with his partners like Robin, and instead of before where he was very dark, he's lighten up a bit. Another thing is that while this still is the Batman we are grew up on from the old books to Batman: The Animated Series, I can't help but see that this Batman is also like the dark knight from the new The Batman.
To end this, this was still a good issue. The arc is still starting and Batman OYL is more different that isn't bad. Even if what this arc is about isn't in this issue, its still needed and good in its own right. OYL is still looking good.
RATING: 7/10
DETECTIVE COMICS #818
REVEW:
Story: Magpie is dead. Bruce is wondering about what he has planned for Robin (although we don't know what it is). While Batman and Robin fight the Mad Hatter, Harvey Dent watches them and sees they're different than what trhey like ebfore. The Two-Face comes back and urges him to come back, but he refuses. In the final moments, another villian dies...
After the last part which didn't have the "snap" (I can't think of a term for that) like in Detective #817, #818 brings it back, maybe halfway. Bruce has something planned for Tim Drake. In every solicitation, we've heard about it and even in the preview of Batman #652 its mentioned. We have no idea what it is but its about his future. Could he be the next Batman (like in the "Titans of Tomorrow"), or maybe something that we're not thinking of? We don't know.
While in a cameo previously, Jason Bard makes a appearence as Batman gives him an offer that he accepts. As Batman's detective for the day time to help the Dark Knight and for himt o know what's up when he enters the night shift. While the appearence is small, we do get to know what he is like. He's very James Bond. He sleeps with the woman who is the criminal and once he's done with her, he rats her out.
Overall, the "snap" came back. We get more into what Bruce, as the father figure, wants for two people and whatever is happening, we want to know what's going on.
REVIEW: 8/10
BATMAN #652
REVEW:
Story: Scarface and Wesker are dead. Through a security tape, Batman & Robin find that all the villians had met before including the next oen to die: Orca. After Batman and Bullock make amens, Robin goes out to fight Killer Moth while Batman goes to talk to his old friend...
With the end of this part, the story takes turn. People have been saying that Two Face is coming back and must be killing the villians. Yet, theres still no evidence to point either way. The huge mystery on why the villians are dying is one that we would have to wait to see why this is going on, but I do know that if we come up with our own explantion, it'll bite us back. Best to wait and look at the new clues as the next issues cdome in.
Batman still talks about what he wants for Robin, but its still up in the air of wha the wants. But like the murder mystery, we get clues. The big here is that he admits that through all these times he has doubted a sidekick. How this sounds, it sounds like what many assumed which is Bruce may want to legally adopt Tim Drake, like Dick Grayson, and have him become his ward. It sounds like it.
Overall, another good one. The mystery is still here and it ain't even close of finishing. We're all wondering what's going on.
RATING: 8/10
DETECTIVE COMICS #819
REVEW:
Story: Batman, Robin, Gordon, & Bullock start the seacrh for Orca. After fighting with Killer Croc, they find Orca's body. As Harvey is pushing away his Two Face side, Jason Bard tries to figure out on his side the mysteryu of the villian's deaths, with gun shooting results.
With Orca dead, the villians from that tape are all gone. Yet, with the story still going, even I'm wondering if more are on the killer's list. Two Face is still trying to bring Hravey Dent back. My theory: I believe his Two Face side did the killings in a attempt to bring Harvey back (since his body would still have to go and kill). If thats the case, then its a fight between the two mental sides.
While the first half was pure Batman, the second half was Jason Bard. Reading him, its another deterctive story in the Batman world. I'm reminded of Gotham Central, where the cops there were solving cases without the help of Batman. This is the same here but shorter and on a person who is just a detective with a Bond side of his own.
Overall, good.
REVIEW: 8/10
I know, it's all been so cool.
