GN REVIEW: Batman: The Court of Owls

The first of DC Comics New 52 graphic novels have started rolling out, a collaboration of DC's revamp/reboot/update on their titles, hoping to freshen things up and bring in new reader.  So far the titles I have enjoyed the most are the ones that have hardly changed; like Geoff Johns continuation of Green Lantern and the Batman books.  Barbara Gordon may have climbed out of her Oracle chair and back into her Batgirl costume, but not much else has changed in the Bat Family, except for everything Bruce Wayne he thought he knew was true. 

In Batman: The Court of Owls Volume 1 Bruce stumbles upon a secret society in Gotham City; the Court of Owls.  The Owls date all the way back to the founding of Gotham and has been pulling the strings ever since; even in Bruce's life.  The Talon, the Owls personal assassin, cages Batman in a maze for days, but Batman always has an escape plan.  Bruce soon discovers this Talon has somehow been dead for decades and is a descendant of his former ward, and brother-in-arms, Dick Grayson.  The deeper Bruce digs into the mystery of the Owls the more his life as Batman seems to unravel.  The book ends on a cliffhanger, promising that the Owls have a lot more trouble in store for the Dark Knight.  

 Writer Scott Snyder is most famous for his Vertigo title, American Vampire. Snyder has done a few Marvel one-shots and DC mini-series, but this is his first ongoing title tackle and I must say I'm impressed.  Speaking as a Superman fan, Snyder has captured what I enjoy in a Batman storyline; a great mystery with a dash of personal drama.  Batman stories that are all about catching the villain leaves me bored, but Snyder has made Bruce uncover something that has rocked his whole life's crusade.  

Aside from re-introducing readers to Batman's friends and foes Snyder also re-introduces Gotham to us from the words of it's citizens to Bruce talking about every part of Wayne Tower.  These descriptions really pull the story together as Batman and the Owls fight for the prize of Gotham City.

Artist Greg Capullo has been drawing Spawn for years, but now shows he's ready for the big time.  His art, mixed with Snyders words, go great together.  Cappullo knows how to keep the Dark Knight in the right shadows, help Sndyer bring Gotham to life, and does a great 2-page spread giving us a tour of the Batcave.  It's almost like I'm watching Batman: The Animated Series all over again.

It looks like the Owls aren't going anywhere, and hopefully neither is Snyder.  I haven't been this excited in reading a Batman title since Tony Daniel had Nightwing try to fill Bruce's cowl.  The team of Snyder and Capullo make Batman comics what they should be; a great detective tale with the colors to match.  If you enjoyed Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy and are interested in reading Batman comics this is a great jump-off point.  Bring on Volume 2!           

Casting Call: Young Justice

Within about a week's time I have watched more than an entire season of Cartoon Network's Young Justice.  When the show first premiered back in 2010 I was a little hesitant to watch due to the idea of mixing up comic book relationships and time lines.  But after seeing where the show has gone I'm as gitty as a school girl.  Thanks to the internet I'm all caught up and ready for new episodes of Season 2 to begin!

In the pilot episode Robin, Kid Flash, and Aqualad stumble upon, and free, a teenage clone of Superman.  The Justice League did not approve of their methods, but agree that if these three sidekicks, I mean young heroes, are going to continue their solo adventures (along with Superboy at their side) then they plan on monitoring and training them properly.  Along the way they add some female members like Miss Martian, Artemis, and Zantanna.  Red Tornado watches over them, Black Canary trains them, and Batman gives them their covert missions.

I think my real pleasure of the show comes from seeing the young heroes find their own way of fighting justice and striving to be better so that one day they can join the Justice League.  Season 1 was full of good drama and with Season 2 just starting, and taking place five years after Season 1, I can't wait to see where the story takes these characters and what other DC heroes will be introduced next.

Corbin Bleu as Aqualad/Kaldur'ahm

Since leaving Atlantis to become Aquaman's apprentice Kaldur has learned a lot, but nothing has taught him more than being voted the leader of The Team.  He constantly questions his actions knowing that his friends lives are in the balance.  In Season 2 we learn that Kaldur has been told who is true father is, and that has caused from friction between him and his former teammates, which always makes for a great story!

Bleau is most know for his role as Chad in Disney's High School Musical franchise.  But he seems to me the guy with the right build, face, and talent to pull off Aqualad.

 

 

Logan Lerman as Robin/Dick Grayson

It can't be easy being Batman's partner, which is why Dick has to be at the top of his game all the time.  He's a computer whiz and a bit of a smart ass, but when it comes to getting the job done no one is more serious, and more talented, that the Boy Wonder.  Although he was out-voted on being the team leader he took it as a challenge, and that allows him to do other things, like crush on Zantanna.

I've been following Logan Lerman's career over since the WB show Jack and Bobby.  He then became one of my favorite fictional characters in Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief.  And I can't wait to see him opposite Emma Watson in The Perks of Being a Wallflower later this year.  He's got my vote for Robin/Nightwing.

 

 

Cameron Monaghan as Kid Flash/Wally West

Wally sometimes moves too fast for his own good, whether it be on a mission or hitting on Artemis and Miss Martian.  But he's the first one to stick up for his friends and has grown into a more patient hero over the years, one who looks like is on his way to becoming the next Flash.

Cameron has had a few guest starring roles on various TV series, but his role as Ian Gallagher in Showtime's Shameless shows that he's got the chops to make it in this industry.  Plus he has red hair so, no need to dye it. 

 

 

Robbie Amell as Superboy/Connor Kent/Kon-El

The real meat of Season 1 was Superboy trying to find out who he was, why he was created, and how to forge his own destiny.  In the comics, Connor's story is one of my favorites and I think they did a great job of capturing his confusion on this series.  He may not have heat vision, but he's definitely a hot head, except for when M'gann is around.

I'm not too familiar with Mr. Amell's acting chops but he looks the part and he was in Cheaper by the Dozen 2 with Tom Welling. And whatever Tom Welling says is "ok" is ok in my book.

Kristen Bell as Miss Martian/M'gann M'orzz

She is the niece of the Martian Manhunter and has a lot of trouble being comfortable with herself, despite her tendency to be a bit chatty. With her telepathy, shape-shifting ability, and her cool plane, she is one of the most powerful members on The Team, which scares not only her, but her teammates as well.

Yes, Kristen Bell seems a little old these days to play a teenager, but M'gann is almost 40-Earth-years-old.  And as a shape-shifter she can look as young as she wants.  Bell's got the sparkling personality and the depth to pull of this complicated role.

Chloe Grace Mortez as Artemis/Artemis Crock

She's the new girl with a shady past. She's Green Arrow's newest sidekick but her family is full of villains.  She tries constantly to fight the voice inside of her head saying that she'll end up like the rest of them.  She can be a little stubborn at times, but is a great "team player", just watch Season 2.

Remember that little girl from Kick-Ass who literally kicked-ass?  Well she's a teenager now and I think it's time to show the world she's still got it, and can bring this troubled character to life.

Lucy Hale as Zantanna/Zantanna Zatara

She was late to join The Team, but bonded quite well with Robin and Artemis.  Her magical powers she learned serve her quite well, but they're still not enough to free her father from becoming Dr. Fate in her place.

Lucy Hale is another young actress I'm not too familiar with, but she was in Scream 4 and she has her own show on ABC Family, Pretty Little Liars.  I'm pretty sure she can do this part. 

Garrett Hedlund as Red Arrow/Speedy/Roy Harper

He was once Green Arrow's partner, Speedy, until he got tired of being treated like a kid. Now Roy is Red Arrow, and in the first season of the show he was the cool guy who walked in-and-out whenever he wanted.  He was a wild card, and a surprise to everyone when Dr. Savage made his move to control the Justice League.  Of course no surprise was bigger when he found out he is a clone of the real Roy Harper.  Let's just say he has some issues in Season 2. 

Garett Hedlund plays the boy-with-a-chip-on-his-shoulder perfectly in Tron: Legacy.  If he can take that attitude and bring some fighting moves with it fan girls will swoon.

 

 

Michael Fassenbender as Batman/Bruce Wayne

Soon Christian Bale will be done being Batman and the the question will be, "Who will don the cape and cowl next?"  For this particular role Batman is much more of a mentor and father figure.  He's more heard giving advice and orders rather than fighting crime. 

Fassenbender has a great jaw, and that will fill the cowl nicely.  Plus he can be one of the few actors to play a DC AND Marvel character.  Just make sure he keeps his accent in check *cough*Henry Cavill*cough*.

 

 

Yvonne Strahovski as Black Canary/Dinah Lance

Maybe it's that she has the long legs and the blond hair to match, or maybe I just really want to see her in leather and fishnet stalking, but Yvonne would make a great Black Canary.  She already knows how to fight from her work on Chuck, plus, I just miss seeing her face on screen.  Work with me here people, you won't regret it!

 

 

Paul Bettany as Red Tornado/John Smith

He's every one's favorite tin man.  He can make the wind shake and villains quake, but what he really needs is a great voice.  Bettany did some voice work in Iron Man as the computer Jarvis.  I think if he carries that same talent over to Young Justice we have a winner.

Graphic Novel Review: Batman Reborn

I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything. For a few weeks there I got caught up in my life I forgot about all the little people that depend on me to tell them what is good and bad in the world of entertainment. Well fear not my minions because today I bring you a tale of great significance. A hero has fallen, and now a new hero must rise to fill the shadow of the bat.

Grant Morrison has always been known for telling a great Batman story, even though I’m not a big Batman fan, and even less of Morrison. Batman Reborn follows the three-part miniseries Battle for the Cowl, in which former Robin and Nightwing, Dick Grayson, steps in to become Batman after Bruce Wayne’s supposed passing. Filling in for Tim Drake as Robin, who has gone on to become Red Robin, is Bruce Wayne’s illegitimate son, Damien. Damien is smart, cocky, and kind of little prick. But when you grow up in The League of Assassins you’re bound to have some issues. So Dick has taken it upon himself to look after not only Damien, but Gotham as well. He’s got a new batmobile, a new hideout, and a whole new set of villains.

Professor Pym is a man who likes to mutilate people while wearing a pig mask. The Flamingo is a bad-ass boss with a flair for pink, and he uses that on his opponents who underestimate him. But the main villain in the novel is the return of the Red Hood. When last we saw Jason Todd, Dick had beaten him for the right to wear the mantle of the Batman. Now Jason is back with his own kid sidekick and hopes to make the people of Gotham believe Batman is outdated, mainly by going on a killing spree.

Batman and Robin take down The Flamingo and the Red Hood, but not before Jason tries to convince Dick to put Bruce’s body in the Lazarus Pit and bring him back to life. Along the way their are a few scenes where Dick teaches Damien that he doesn't know everything, and I fully enjoyed seeing that little smartass get schooled by one of my all-time favorite DC characters. At the end of the novel a shocking panel reveals that Dick has a corpse stashed somewhere; one we are led to believe is Bruce Wayne. Is Dick going to try and bring Batman back to life?

I’ve gone on record several time in stating that I love the current state of the Batman Family. The once son, Dick, has become the father, and now is the head of the family, but some like Damien and Jason Todd challenge him to see if he deserves it. Dick became Nightwing to step out if Bruce’s shadow and now has become exactly what he didn’t want to be, mainly because he had too. He’s trying to be Batman. Everyone is looking for him to answers while others think he’s only kidding himself; Dick sometimes being the first person to think so.  This adds a great character depth to our hero Bruce Wayne could never have.

Meanwhile Damien is a very rebellious Robin, much like how Jason Todd was. So much that it makes me wonder if Damien could share his same fate.  However, Damien comes up with the idea to help make the batmobile fly, which makes him very smart, but he also knows that Dick doubts himself as Batman, and he uses that to taunt him. It seems as though Alfred is the only person behind Dick in all of Gotham City.

Even though I prefer Tony Daniels Batman stories, Grant Morrison can add a depth to Batman that makes it seem bigger than just a detective story. However, the first issue of The Return of Bruce Wayne I feel is an example of him going a little overboard and ridiculous. Frank Quitely’s art is either hit or miss for me. I liked him in New X- Men, but wasn’t a fan of All-Star Superman. His drawing seems kind of marshmallow to me. But I think in Batman & Robin his art helps Morrison introduce different characters that we’re not used to seeing in Batman. His drawing goes good with mutants, flying batmobiles, and pink motorcycles.

I’m a big fan of character development and personal dilemma’s to help move a story along. This graphic novel has those traits.  Batman tries to teach Robin the ropes, but he’s arrogant. The Red Hood tests a Batman he knows is reluctant to be the head of the family. The bits help make the story enjoyable, but without them I think this graphic novel wouldn’t have meant as much to Batman readers.  With the return of Bruce Wayne nearing I dread the return to the Batman status quo, but maybe DC will surprise me.  Captain America certainly did; kudos on that one Marvel!

Recommendation: Wait for the paperback