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Devil Comics Review | Detective Comics [2016] A Lonely Place of Living

The origin of Timothy Jackson Drake is retold as Mr. Oz questions him. Mr. Oz leaves as Tim Drake is left alone and sends out a distress signal to Batman who responds and asks to open his cell. Tim discovers Batman is an alternative future self the Batman of Tomorrow. They both discover Tim opened other prison doors including Doomsday who is coming after them. Detective Comics A Lonely Place of Living takes place the same time as the OZ Effect in Action Comics. 

The Batman of Tomorrow and Tim Drake escape their prison to Earth 0. The future Tim Drake discovers he has a chance to change things by killing Batwoman. Tim Drake reunites with his fellow Gotham Knights and informs him that the Batman of Tomorrow is targeting Batwoman. The Batman of Tomorrow goes to Wayne Manor to see Alfred and confronts Nightwing, Diamen, and Red Hood. The fight carries down to the Batcave where the Batman of Tomorrow reveals Bruce has been working on Brother Eye program and it is using the Colony Drone Fleet to target Batwoman. Batman and the Gotham Knights stops them and the Batman of Tomorrow returns to his time but warns time of the upcoming actions of Batwoman in Fall of the Batmen.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

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Devil Comics Review | Dark Days [2017] The Road to Metal

Dark Days: The Forge and The Casting were preludes to Dark Nights: Metal, which is the first event following Rebirth in 2016. Batman discovers something terrifying is coming and gathers heroes like Plastic Man and the Joker. Nightwing #17 sees Dick Grayson have different versions of himself from other worlds. Detective Comics #950 Tim Drake confronts Batman on why he is preparing his family for war. 

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 3 OUT OF 5

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Devil Comics Review | Gotham Season 3 [2017] Mad City

The escaped experiments from Indian Hill are led by Fish Mooney who is slowing dying and searches for Hugo Strange to cure her. Strange is imprisoned however he continues his experiments under the government until Fish breaks him out.

The Penguin decides to run for the Mayor of Gotham and wins making the Riddler as his Chief of Staff. Butch resurrects the Red Hood Gang causing trouble for the Penguin. He would later eliminate them to become the hero however the Riddler discovers his plans and uses it against him.

Bruce Wayne encounters his doppleganger from Indian Hill who pretends to be him when he meets up with Selina Kyle. Bruce also meets the Court of Owls and makes a deal not to investigate his parents’ murders. The Court of Owls later kidnaps the doppelganger to use him for their own purposes.

Ivy is transformed into an older woman after spying on Fish. Bounty hunter James Gordon meets the reporter Valerie Vale while Lee Tompkins returns to Gotham with her fiancé Mario who is the son of Carmine Falcone.

Jervis Tetch AKA the Mad Hatter is introduced searching for his love Alice who he accidently kills. Captain gets infected by Alice’s blood as Tetch makes Gordon pay for the death of Alice by kidnapping both Lee Tompkins and Valerie Vale. Tetch makes Gordon choose between the two and Vale gets shot. He later steals Alice's blood to infect Gotham however he is caught by GCPD. 

The Riddler meets Isabella which makes Penguin jealous. Gordon finally rejoins the GCPD after hallucinating about his father and his ring which belongs to the Court of Owls. Captain Barnes is infected by Alice's blood which sends him to Arkham Asylum after killing several criminals. Penguin kills Isabella so he can keep Edward Enigma all to himself.

However Enigma discovers Isabella was murdered and believes Butch is responsible. The Riddler kidnaps and tortures both Butch and for the murder Isabella while Barbara Kean discovers the Penguin was behind her murder. Mario is infected with the Tetch virus before his wedding with Doctor Lee Thompkins. Gordon is convinced that Mario is infected with the Tetch virus and goes out of his way to prevent Mario's wedding to Lee. The plan backfires and they wed until Lucius Fox discovers how Mario masked the virus within his blood. Gordon tracks Mario down and shoots him before he kills Lee. 

Carmine Falcone takes a hit out on James Gordon using Victor Zsasz. Lee Thompkins calls off the hit after meeting with Barnes at Arkham Asylum. Someone resurrects Jerome Valeska and he wreaks havoc on Gotham until both Bruce and Gordon stop him. The Riddler finally has his revenge on the Penguin for killing his Isabella. 

James Gordon meets his Uncle Frank who is in the Court of Owls. He reveals the Court is responsible for the death of his brother and James' father. Uncle Frank invites him to join the Court for the purpose of taking them down. The Court replaces Bruce Wayne with his doppelganger while the Riddler makes his play on Gotham. 

Uncle Frank kills himself so James Gordon can join the Court to take them down. The Riddler is on the tail of the Court. James Gordon is asked to bring the Riddler to the Court to test his loyalty. The Penguin assembles Poison Ivy, Firefly, and Mr. Freeze to go after the Riddler. The plans to release the Ketchum virus on Gotham. The Court captures the Penguin and Nathanel Barnes is turned into the Executioner by the Court. Gordon stops Barnes however the Court spreads the virus as Ra's Al Ghul arrives to Gotham. 

The Penguin captures the Riddler and freezes him for his Iceberg Lounge, Selina Kyle begins her journey as Catwoman, and Bruce Wayne rises to become a vigilante. 

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

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Devil Comics Review | Batman [2017] I Am Bane

Following I Am Suicide, Batman needs five days to cure Gotham Girl using the Psycho Pirate while Bane comes for him. Batman warns his family to take a vacation as he deals with Bane alone. Batman finds Nightwing, Robin, and Red Hood hanged in the Batcave. He takes them to the Fortress of Solitude to heal them and keep them safe until he can finish Bane. Alfred disguises himself as Jeremiah Arkham to hide Gotham Girl disguised as Hush. Bane has captured Commissioner Gordon, Duke Thomas, Catwoman, and the Bronze Tiger. He wants to exchange them for the Psycho Pirate. Batman distracts Bane while Catwoman frees the hostages. Bane goes into Arkham Asylum to get the Psycho Pirate. Bane goes through Two Face, Solomon Grundy, Amygdala, Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, Firefly, Black Spider, Flamingo, Man Bat, Zsasz, Mad Hatter, Dr. Phosphorus, Hush, Copperhead, Calender Man, and Riddler until he faces the Batman. 

The finale of I Am Bane is spoiled with the announced release of Bane: Conquest in May 2017 by Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan the creators of Bane. 

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

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Devil Comics Review | Superman [2016] Trials of the Super Son

While working on a science project at the Fortress of Solitude, Superman, Jonathan, and Krypto gets sent to Dinosaur Island. They encounter World War II machinery, dinosaurs, and the final resting place of the Losers. Superman meets the last survivor Captain Storm. Together they get the device so they can return home.

Superboy is kidnapped by Robin to the Batcave which brings both Batman and Superman to train their sons. Both Robin and Superboy need to work together to earn their capes so the team of the Super Sons can be born.

Lois Lane is on an interview with Candice at the Hamilton Horn when Frankenstein Agent of SHADE shows up. They escape with Frankenstein in pursuit until Superman arrives and battles him. Frankenstein takes off Candice’s human identity to reveal Kroog who is a cold-blooded murder. 

The bride of Frankenstein arrives to claim her as her bounty. During the chaos Kroog gets away but both Superman and Frankenstein track him down and give her to the bride of Frankenstein so she can collect her ransom. 

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

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Devil Comics Review | Batman [2016] Night of the Monster Men

The first crossover following Rebirth, Night of the Monster Men has been building up within the pages of Batman by Tom King. Hugo Strange creates the Monster Men and unleashes them on Gotham as the Batman Family still reeling after the death of Tim Drake stop him. Batman and Batwoman takes on two Monster Men as Nightwing heads towards the third at Blackgate. Gotham Girl realizes Nightwing will not be able to make it on time so she heads over there. Gotham Girl and Nightwing are infected by the virus while tearing apart a monster within Blackgate. Both Batman and Batwoman take on Nightwing and Gotham Girl until Duke Thomas arrives with the cure. Nightwing discovers the four monsters had childhood trauma and Hugo Strange choose them for an unknown purpose. The remains of the four monsters merge into one and Batman decides to face Hugo Strange who is on Venom. 

Batwoman, Nightwing, Spoiler, and Orphan deal with the merged monster while Batman finds Strange. Nightwing jumps inside of the monster like Attack on Titan and the monster falls. The ending of Monster Men is really obscure and feels weak without Tom King writing all the books. 

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 3 OUT OF 5

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Devil Comics Review | Nightwing: Rebirth #1 [2016]

Following Forever Evil, Dick Grayson’s identity is revealed to the world and he discards his Nightwing identity to become an Agent 37 of Spyral. After the Robin War, Dick Grayson joined the Parliament of Owls because they implanted a bomb in Daimen Wayne’s skull. With the help of Midnighter, Dick removes the bomb and plans to destroy the Parliament of Owls as Nightwing. The issue builds on the previous Grayson series and moves forward by bringing back Nightwing to Gotham.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

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Devil Comics Review | DC Universe: Rebirth #1 [2016]

Hype Following 2011’s New 52, DC Comics revitalizes the comic industry with Rebirth and bring legacy back to their characters. The one-shot promises a death of a character and the return of three characters to the DC Universe. DC is celebrating the event by releasing a limited edition midnight cover on the day of its release. The book is 80 pages and for only $2.99 and the final page promises to be explosive. 

Rehash The DC Universe Rebirth special is a continuation from the events of the Darkseid War and the Final Days of Superman story arcs which their finales were both released on the same day. During the Darkseid War, three versions of the Joker were revealed as well as Wonder Woman having a twin brotherwhile the Final Days of Superman saw the death of the New 52 Superman. The issue begins with the return of the Pre-Flashpoint Wally West attempting to reach out to Batman who has forgotten him in the first chapter Lost

The second chapter Legacy explores the Justice Society of America, Legion of Super-Heroes, the Microverse and the death of Pandora who brought the New 52 together. She was heavily marketed and her appearance was in every New 52 first issue in 2011. Her death will bring cheers for DC fans.

The third chapter Love features the aftermath of the Final Days of Superman where heroes like Green Arrow, Superman, and Aquaman are reconnecting their past loves including Wally West and Linda Park.

The fourth chapter Life sees Wally West and the New 52 version who are revealed to be cousins. Wally meets the New 52 Flash to say goodbye and to let him know someone has infected history to make people forget. Barry remembers Wally and brings him back while remembering the past. The finale reveals they are being watched and they are the ones who are behind the missing heroes, history, and legacies: Alan Moore’s Watchmen.

Feedback Writer Geoff Johns begins the story by relating to the readers on what it is like to have read the New 52 for the past five years where forgotten heroes, legacies, and history which created a foundation of great stories were all erased. It was been revealed the stories within the Rebirth titles will build to an event in August 2018. DC fans would return to the company after reading this issue. It brings an optimistic and hopeful DC Universe back as well as preparing them for the incorporation of the Watchmen universe in 2018.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – 5 OUT OF 5

Devil Comics Review | Batman and Robin Eternal Volume 2 [2016] Scott Snyder

Then

Batman and Robin have been tracking down the Scarecrow who has been working with Mother developing Trauma Toxin. Mother wants to shape a generation of children for her own purposes. Batman wants to use the Scarecrow to get to Mother. Mother is working with the Order of St. Dumas to finish their Ichthys formula which is the Trauma Toxin. The formula makes the subject relive the worst moments of his life and change it so they triumph from it so they become immune to fear.

Now

Mother has set off a nuclear bomb trapping Grayson, Cassandra, Blue Bird, and Cain. They manage to escape before the bomb detonated. Timothy Drake offers Jason Todd as an offering to join the Order of St. Dumas. Red Robin deals with St. Dumas and Azrael who was purchased from Mother. Azrael breaks his conditioning and frees himself. Red Robin and Red Hood discover that Mother’s children are victims on conditioning which can be broken.

The Orphan reveals Cassandra murdered Harper Row’s parents so she can be the next Robin. Cain escapes with Cassandra and Harper Row as prisoners and takes them to Mother. Mother kills the Orphan and prepares for the Ichthys formula to infect the world. The Red Hood kidnaps Scarecrow to undo what Mother is planning. Mother believes people need to be pushed through the pain. The Batman family stops Mother however it was David Cain who returns to kill her. Cassandra Cain assumes her father’s mantle as the new Orphan.

Overall the Batman and Robin Eternal was a 26-issue story which should have ended with 12. Most of the books were rehash and summaries prolonging the story instead of progressing the plot forward.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 3 OUT OF 5

Devil Comics Review | Robin War [2016] Tom King

The Robin War begins with the passage of the Robin Laws, where Rogue Robins are taken into custody by the police. The Court of Owls starts the Robin War to attract Dick Grayson back into their fold led by Lincoln March. The Court of Owls manage to attract Damian Wayne to their side. Now they want to exchange Damian for Dick and make him an offer to join the Parliament of Owls which he accepts. The event could be enjoyed just by reading the bookends of the story. Overall it was an enjoyable event which will have consequences upon the Batman Family.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Batman and Robin Eternal Volume 1 [2015] James Tynion IV | Scott Snyder

The sequel to the year-long Batman: Eternal is only twenty-six issues long as the series ends when Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice is released. The series is set to feature the return of Cassandra Cain as the consequences of Batman and Robin’s actions from five years ago comes back to haunt them. DC Comics is using the Island of Gamorra which was set in the Wildstorm Universe as a setting to build their mystery. There is a conspiracy over who Robin is and why there are so many of them as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Robin. 

The issue begins in the past as a child loses his Egyptian parents the same way as Bruce Wayne’s parents. In the present Richard Grayson returns to Gotham following Forever Evil and reteams with Red Hood and Robin as the new Batman tracks down Bluebird to detain her. Later Grayson is targeted by children and her Spyral partner who are under the orders of Orphan. Cassandra Cain targets Grayson and gives him a file while Orphan targets Bluebird who may be the only one who can find Mother. Grayson discovers the file contains Batman’s confession and a warning against Mother who made Batman responsible for killing the Egyptian parents in the past.  

The series maintains the current continuity following Endgame, where Bruce Wayne returns and Batman is gone. The issue kicks off with a bang as we will finally learn why there are so many Robins and how Batman was responsible. This issue is a definite pick.

Grayson finds Harper Row injured after facing off with Orphan and Red Hood faces Cassandra Cain. All the former Batman sidekicks unite in the Batcave where they find out Bruce Wayne is Mother’s next target. The Robins and the Batman Family unite to save Bruce from Mother’s assassins. Now Red Robin gets a call from Mother as Grayson visits Drake’s home and discovers he has been protecting them. Blue Bird and Cassandra run into the Orphan who loses her right hand. In the past Bruce discovers individuals could be guided, cared, and taught to be whoever you want them to be by Mother in Prague. In the present the Batman Family head to Prague to track down Mother and the Orphan. 

Grayson confronts Mother and discovers Bruce wanted an heir so she built him a Robin. Mother is creating designer human beings and knows Bruce secretly wants a better Robin. Red Hood and Red Robin head to Santa Prisca where they find the church the Crusade of St. Dumas built on top of the prison. They team up with Bane to rid the Crusade of St. Dumas and Azrael. Red Hood and Red Robin discover Azrael was designed by Mother. 

Blue Bird and Grayson head towards David Cain’s home and are confronted by the Sculptor whose boss is Mother. We discover the Orphan is David Cain and Mother shaped her children using Crane’s fear gas to stimulate trauma. However the Orphan used practical techniques on his daughter which Mother disapproved of. Mother is training the true heir to the Batman Legacy.

Cassandra Cain heads towards the Nursery to free the children currently being training by Mother and Orphan. Before the events of Endgame, Batman gave Cassandra Cain her mission to stop Mother with the help of Dick Grayson. Nightwing and Bluebird arrive to the Nursery to stop David Cain however it was a trap set by Mother to kill everyone with a thermonuclear device. 

Batman and Robin Eternal [2015] #1–13

RECOMMENDED - 4 OUT OF 5

Review | Batman - Superman: Truth Hurts [2015] Greg Pak | Ardian Syaf

Batman/Superman #21 kicks off with a depowered Superman fighting in Metropolis as the police hold back due to the orders of Lex Luthor who reveals the individuals attacking him have a unique energy signature leading to Gotham City. Both Luthor and Superman head to Gotham City and run into the new Batman. Clark heads to the Bat Cave to uncover the truth of what happened to Bruce Wayne. Alfred encourages him to live in the light so Clark repaints a Batcycle and attracts the attention of the new Batman. 

The second issue of Truth Hurts begins with Superman and Batman teaming up against an unknown enemy leading to a confrontation between Ukur the Beastlord of the Subterranea. Superman attempts to make peace with him however the peace offering is interrupted by Batman. Shortly afterwards Superman follows Ukur below the surface of the Earth. Reading the second issue seems like writer Greg Pak threw a threat out from nowhere watering down the story of Clark’s revelation as Superman.

Batman/Superman #23 sees Superman going beneath Gotham City to track down Ukur while the Gotham City PD take the portable sun developed by Wayne Enterprises out to sea for safe keeping. Superman disguises himself as one of Ukur’s warriors and discovers their newest ally Aquaman.

Batman/Superman #24 The Subterranean army led by Aquaman wants an artificial sun developed by Wayne Tech. However the artificial sun is stolen by Dawn Command led by Vandal Savage who later meets with Wrath to take over the world. 

Batman/Superman #25 sees Clark take on thieves using Batman armaments as Vandal Savage strikes. Clark escapes with the help of Batgirl and teams with Grayson and Red Hood to stop Savage.

Batman/Superman #26 The Batman Family and Superman take on Vandal Savage’s shadow monsters as James Gordon’s Batman joins the fight. They discover Savage is stockpiling energy for an unknown purpose and they discover a Nazi canon.

Batman/Superman #27 Superman, Batman, and the Batman Family turn the Nazi canon against Vandal Savage and both are destroyed. The Truth story arc running through the Superman books are below average as they are delaying till March 2016 for the real story when Vandal Savage premieres on the Legends of Tomorrow series and Batman V Superman movie premieres.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT – 3 OUT OF 5

Gotham Season 2: Penguin targets Galvan

Several Arkham inmates escape with the help of an unknown benefactor Theo Galvan and cause havoc within Gotham including the death of Sarah Essen. Afterwards while Jerome and Barbara Kean kill the deputy mayor, Galvan murders Jerome to raise his profile while directly building the legacy of the Joker. 

Captain Nathaniel Barnes takes over the GCPD and Galvan runs for mayor while using the Penguin to eliminate the competition. Barnes targets the Penguin who is searching for his mother held captive by Galvan. Penguin learns the dark history of Gotham including the five families ruling it including the Elliots, Kanes, Crownes, Dumas, and Waynes. The Dumas left and established the Order of Saint Dumas which eventually leads to the rise of Azrael and changed their names to Galvan.

Gordon searches for Selina Kyle and Firefly who murdered a police officer and her brothers. They track her down however she burns herself while attacking the GCPD. She is taken to Indian Hill a division of Wayne Enterprises. 

Mommy’s Little Monster begins as the Penguin rescues his mother however it was a trap and he discovers Butch is no longer under his control. Galvan’s sister Tigress kills his mother and Penguin gets away after slashing Galvan. Now the GCPD is after the Penguin for the attempted murder of Galvan the newly elected Mayor of Gotham. 

James Gordon and Harvey Bullock track down Butch as Victor Zsasz arrives. Butch tells Gordon the connection between Galvan and the Penguin before Zsasz opens fire. Gordon and Bullock use Butch’s stash of weapons to defend themselves against him.

Now the Penguin targets Mayor Galvan at his victory celebration as the GCPD protect him.The Penguin is shot by the Tigress however he was a decoy of Penguins who are all heavily armed. Gordon gets Galvan out however runs into the Penguin who later gets away. Gordon reveals he knows Galvan killed the Penguin’s mother and he lets Galvan know that he is targeting him.

Other subplots include Galvan using Silver St. Cloud to control Bruce Wayne’s company and later dispose of him. Selina Kyle visits Bruce and meets Silver St. Cloud who threatens her. Bruce is currently loyal to both Galvan and St. Cloud who are becoming a surrogate family.

Edward Enigma searches for the body of his girlfriend who is hidden by his alter ego. He finds her hand but now has to locate her body which is at Leslie Tompkins lab.

Galvan reveals his ancestors were sword smiths and states good steel needs to be forged. In the comics Galvan’s family name Dumas is a part of the Order of St. Dumas. Their assassin is Azrael who played a part in the Sword of Azrael and Knightfall where Azrael becomes the new Batman after Bane broke Bruce Wayne’s back in Batman #500. Another great episode tying into the Batman mythos.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5

Review: Batman and Robin Eternal #1 [2016] James Tynion IV | Scott Snyder

The sequel to the year-long Batman: Eternal is only twenty-six issues long as the series ends when Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice is released. The series is set to feature the return of Cassandra Cain as the consequences of Batman and Robin’s actions from five years ago comes back to haunt them. DC Comics is using the Island of Gamorra which was set in the Wildstorm Universe as a setting to build their mystery. There is a conspiracy over who Robin is and why there are so many of them as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Robin. 

The issue begins in the past as a child loses his Egyptian parents the same way as Bruce Wayne’s parents. In the present Richard Grayson returns to Gotham following Forever Evil and reteams with Red Hood and Robin as the new Batman tracks down Bluebird to detain her. Later Grayson is targeted by children and her Spyral partner who are under the orders of Orphan. Cassandra Cain targets Grayson and gives him a file while Orphan targets Bluebird who may be the only one who can find Mother. Grayson discovers the file contains Batman’s confession and a warning against Mother who made Batman responsible for killing the Egyptian parents in the past.  

The series maintains the current continuity following Endgame, where Bruce Wayne returns and Batman is gone. The issue kicks off with a bang as we will finally learn why there are so many Robins and how Batman was responsible. This issue is a definite pick.

RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5