My Top 12 Third Film Franchise Movies

When the phenomenon known as Twilight hit theaters teenage girls everywhere swooned to the pale skin of Robert Pattinson. I took this as a time to show these teenie boppers what real vampire films are supposed to be, and listed by top 12 vampire films-of-all-time. A year later the sequel to Twilight, New Moon came out, and the same fans got to see Taylor Lautner all buffed up, but still sounding like he hadn’t hit puberty. I took this as another opportunity to speak my mind and had a monster showdown with some of favorite vampires and werewolves from television and films. The great showdown ended with Blade coming out victorious over Michael from the Underworld franchise.

Now with the third Twilight film weeks away from opening I struggled to find something to write about. Then I remembered an even bigger third film is coming out before Eclipse; Toy Story 3. I loved the first two Toy Story films and can’t wait to see what Wood and Buzz have been up too since we last saw them. That revelation led me to think of my top 12 third film franchise movies. Now if history has shown us anything it’s that the third film destroys the franchise 95% of the time. However, if done right, they can make all three films look like one-giant-mega-saga. I’m not saying my 12 picks do that, or are even that great, but to me these are the lesser of all the other evils.

12) Child’s Play 3 (1991): At the end of Child’s Play 2 we saw Chucky get melted and chopped up into gew at the Good Guy doll factory. But Chucky’s blood just got put into another doll, and years later came back for his little buddy Andy. However Andy was no longer a kid, but a teenager in military school. A psychotic doll in a school full of guns; tell me that tagline doesn’t sell itself? Andy has to be the hero now and stop Chucky’s killing spree before he can find another child whose body to take over.

I like this film because Andy was the victim in the first two films. He was helpless and had to rely on others to save him from Chucky, but now he has to step up and be his own man. Andy has to face down the thing that terrified him as a child. I find it very symbolic as Andy reaches the end of his hero’s journey. He just has to stop Chucky from killing his friends, switching paintball bullets with real ones, and try to get the school’s tough girl to fall in love with him. “Oh Andy, my how you’ve grown.”

11) D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996): After winning the Junior Good Will Games against Iceland the ducks return home to find scholarships to a Minnesota prep school waiting for them. Unfortunately the varsity team looks to make their lives a living hell, and Bombay isn’t going to be there to help them through those rough high school years.

The Mighty Duck movies are why I first started loving hockey, and probably a lot of people my age as well. Gordon had his movies, and now in this film Charlie has to overcome his obstacles, like dealing with the new coach, trying to lead his friends, and not failing out of school. This isn’t the pee-wee leagues anymore; which means the pranks aren’t amateurish either. The first film was by far the best of the trilogy, but I’d put this one over the sequel any day. It’s a whole new game as the ducks head into this third period of play.

10) Blade Trinity (2004): But wait you say; this film sucks! Sure the third film wasn’t as hard core, or as enticing, as its predecessors; but let’s look at it from another angle. Forget the fact this is a Blade film and just remember how funny Ryan Reynolds was, and just how hot Jessica Biel looked when she kicked-ass. Now do you get where I’m coming from? To me this film just needed to forget Blade and have a Nightstalker’s film. Reynolds and Biel hunt down Dracula while trying to end the vampire disease? That could have been a lot more interesting than the broody black guy looking to kill more vampires. I rest my case.

9) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Turtles in Time (1993): The second film I feel was far more inferior than the first TMNT film. I think mainly because it was fluffed up with characters like Keno and tried to be too funny. In the third film Corey Fieldman returns as the voice of Donatello as the fab four head back to ancient Japan to rescue April, and stop an evil samuri empire. Along the way Michelangelo falls in love, Raphael meets someone with a worse temper than he, and Casey Jones is stuck in the present babysitting ancient samuri warriors. It’s a shell of a good time.

There are only so many times you can see the turtles take down the Shredder, so it was refreshing to see the guys have a new adventure. While this film is not as badass as the first film the jokes are a lot better than the second. It’s been reported that the turtles on their way to another live-action movie soon. Cowabunga says it all!

8) The Bourne Ultimatum (2007): After his love interest was killed in the second film the Bourne films take a detour from the books, but nobody who watched movies seemed to mind. In the third installement a reporter is looking to undercover the truth about Treadstone, the agency that made Jason a killer. However it was a set-up and now the CIA is looking to take Bourne down once again. Meanwhile CIA operative Pamela Landy, played by Joan Allen, is helping to piece together Jason’s life.

I like this film because it interweaves with the second film making it all one big story. The first film is still the best, but this one goes into more depth about who Bourne is, and how he became the CIA’s best assassin. Character depth is always one of my favorite things about stories, and this film has it. I just hope the next Bourne film comes out before Matt Damon has too many grey hairs.

7) Naked Gun: 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994): Leslie Neilsen is back as Frank Drebin of the Police Squad. However Frank has given up his dangerous life to start a family with his wife, played by Priscilla Presley. But when someone threatens to blow up the Academy Award Frank is the only man for the job.

For Airplane to Dracula: Dead and Loving It, anything Leslie Neilson does is hilarious. O.J. Simpson returns to co-star in this film before his famous Branco high speed chase. If you’re looking for a solid, funny, trilogy then these films are the ones than can hold their own. The late Ann-Nicole Smith even makes a cameo as a woman who tries to seduce Frank. Speaking from one man to another I don’t see that being an issue.

6) Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005): Ok, so most people think the Star Wars prequels suck, but let’s at least agree that Episode III was the best of the prequels? This was the film that Star Wars fans waited 20 years for, and I for one was only mildy disappointed. From the moment Order 66 was given I thought the film was flawless, especially the Obi-Wan vs. Anakin lightsaber duel. Yes, I even disagree that Vader’s sissy cry was fine. The guy just thought he killed his wife, what was he supposed to do say, “whatever”, and then go about his day?   Sure Anakin’s still whiny, but to quote Kevin Smith, “That’s who the galaxies greatest villain would be. He’d start out as an emo kid with some issues.”

The Star Wars prequel’s was the story about how a good man, with good intentions, turns bad. The prequels may not have been what uber-dorks wanted from their Star Wars, but when you’ve got as much money as George Lucas has you can make films that you want to see, and that’s what he did. That makes him a pimp in my book.

5) Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009): I think any Underworld fan can agree that this prequel does not disappoint. In the third installment we find out how the war between vampires and lycans (or werewolves) began. It started as a Romeo and Juliet love story, only with vampires and werewolves. Rhona Mitra takes over as the badass beauty for Kate Beckinsale, while Michael Sheen reprises his role as Lucian, the lycan leader. Acting great Bill Nighy also returns as the vampire we love to hate, Victor.

Underworld fans knew the story of how the blood feud began, but this film helps add more detail and personality to the faces of the legend. I’m a fan of medieval films; films that have horse riding and sword fighting. I’m also a fan of vampire and werewolf films. Put those all together in one movie and you’ve got a movie sandwich I’m going to eat up.

4) Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003): As I sat in the theater and watched this film there were about six times I got out of my seat towards the end because I thought the movie was over. By the fourth time it was like prom night; just give me a happy ending so I can go home. The ending to this colossal trilogy may have dragged but the film itself was awesome. Frodo and Sam finally make it to Mt. Doom in hopes of destroying the ring before it takes over Frodo completely. Meanwhile, Aragorn must step up to claim the throne of Gondor before Sauron’s forces can destroy the kingdom.

I could make fun of these films till I don’t any more oxygen left, but they really are good films, and a nice way to kill a day; or perhaps a weekend if you watch the extended editions. Return of the King helps put everything to rest, and has some really cool action sequences. Although I was always more interested in the relationship between Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli than Frodo and the ring.  This film aslo gives me my favorite line in the entire trilogy. When Aragorn walks up to the hobbits and says, “My friends, you bow before no one.” Well done Mr. Jackson, well done.

3) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989): They went across America, they traveled through Europe, but the Griswold’s greatest adventure was in their own front yard. As the family welcomes relatives from all over Clark tries to stay in the Christmas spirit as the holiday slowing tumbles down around him. His Christmas lights won’t work, his tree goes up in flames, and his annoying cousin just won’t seem to leave.

Anyone who has seen this film knows it’s a must watch during the Christmas season. There are some many great scenes and lines I can’t even begin to say them all. Let’s also remember that this was the beginning of two young careers, Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki, better known as Leonard from The Big Bang Theory.

2) Back to the Future Part III (1990): My friend Andrew and I once agreed that these last two are the only solid film trilogies that are all great to watch. However, I think we can probably now throw Lord of the Rings into the mix to make it a trinity. When we last left Marty McFly he was stuck in 1955 after seeing the Doc electrocuted and sent back to 1885. As Marty finds Doc from 1955 and prepares to go back to 1985 he finds out that Doc of 1885 is shot violently, and so Marty must go back to save his old friend. Still following the timeline ok? Marty goes back to the old west where he has to learn how to ride a horse, win a shoot-out, and not let his ancestors think he’s a chicken. Meanwhile, Doc isn’t looking to head back to 1985 as he falls in love with a school teacher, played by Mary Steenburgen.

Luckily with some help from a hoverboard it all turns out alright. These films are one of the best to watch all in a row because each picks up exactly where the other left off. The first film is again superior to the last two, but people always seem to argue which of the last two Back to the Future films is better. My money is on this one. Who wants to challenge?

1) Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983): There is a reason they call it “The Trilogy.” Because it’s the greatest one there is, and I swear if any LOTR geeks give me grief I will start quoting Clerks 2. In the final episode of the Star Wars saga Luke must figure out what to do with the knowledge that Darth Vader is his father, and he must do it without the help of Master Yoda. But before his confrontation with Vader and the Emperor, Luke must save his friends from the clutches of the gangster, Jabba the Hutt. It’s the final battle for the galaxy, and not everyone is making it out alive.

This film isn’t as gritty as Episode V, but it’s more serious than Episode IV. Luke is no longer a whiny character; he’s a Jedi badass. Sure there are a lot of muppets in this film, but it’s got character revelations, dire situations, and Leia in an iron bikini. How could Star Wars fans not want more after this film ended?

As always I'm open for critcism and comments on what you think of my list.  Will Eclipse and Toy Story 3 help continue their franchises glory, or will they turn them towards what I call Superman and Batman territory?  We'll find out in a few weeks!  Until then, may the force be with us all.

Comic To Read This Week: Superman/Batman Annual #4

Due to the holiday weekend this week’s comics came a day late, and even though these occasions mess with a fans schedule it’s easy to avoid if you’re a veteran collector and know it’s coming. This week I was excited to get to my local comic shop because one of my favorite childhood characters has risen from the dead, and I'm not talking about one of the Brightest Day twelve. Terry McGuiness has returned as Batman! From 1999-2001 the cartoon, Batman Beyond, starred a teenage Terry McGuiness as the Batman of the future with cooler gadgets than the original Batman and sarcastic puns that would make Spider-Man jealous. Mentored by an elderly Bruce Wayne, Terry took on the bad guys of Gotham’s future, and now he is getting his own 6 issue mini-series this year.

Superman/Batman Annual #4 helps re-introduce fans who may have forgotten about Terry, or perhaps need a fresh recap of what his Batman style is like. Drugs are being smuggled into Gotham that have traces of kryptonite in them, which leads Batman to Metropolis to find the man of steel, to and see what’s going on. Metropolis now looks a lot like Gotham; it’s run over with crime and Luthor is serving a lifetime term as mayor. Turns out Lex has been passing out this drug so that Superman can’t get close enough to the criminals to catch them, and he’s about to implement his final attack to get rid of Superman for good. It’s up to Terry to try and help the man of tomorrow re-claim his city from Luthor’s evil paws.

I like futuristic stories, especially dystopian ones. We find Superman without his city, and without Lois, who died years ago. He’s more brooding character now, like Bruce used to be, and it’s different to see him not so hopeful. Seeing characters shaken to their core is always nice for fans, because rarely do you see any actual change from the status quo. This stories takes place after the Batman Beyond series because they reference villains and storylines that were in the old cartoon.

Paul Levitz is best known for his writing on The Legion of Superheroes, which he just took up writing again. I think Levitz has a great sense for writing young heroes, which is why I hope he’ll do well writing the Batman Beyond mini-series as well. When I was reading this issue I could hear Will Friedle(Boy Meets World) talking as Terry once again. Renato Guedes’s art helps show the maturity of not only Terry, but also in the future. Everything just seems old, like it’s been there a while. This could seem odd considering it’s the future, but it’s a broken future, and it’s up to Batman and Superman to fix it.

To me this issue is about Superman accepting Terry as the new Batman, and knowing he’s the right guy for the job. I look forward in a few weeks to see what Levitz has in store for the young dark knight. If we’re all lucky his little mini-series could be Batman Beyond being reborn.

My Top 12 Characters in the Last 12 Years

Memorial Day has several meaning to me at my place of business. First, the summer sale kicks off, meaning more work with no increase in pay. Second, the air conditioning will need maintenance just as it gets unbearably hot outside. Finally, we will be incredibly slow as everyone is either out of town or too lazy to leave their A/C-ice-castles for desert-like temperatures. I took this time to browse through Entertainment Weekly’s 100 Characters of the Last 20 Years, and I found their decision for Homer Simpson as number #1 a solid choice. Although I can’t think of 100 character I even enjoy watching on TV or up on the big screen, I was able to think of twelve that always keep me entertained.

12.) Brian Griffin (Family Guy): Everyone loves Stewie, a baby who has the personality of a super villain, but Brian is the reason I tune in every week. He’s a dog, but he’s the smarted one in his family. He is love with his best friend’s girl, and he’s a hardcore liberal. After working on a book for several years, that was a flop he now spends his days either getting drunk with Peter, or going on adventures with Stewie. He’s the voice of reason in an idiotic world. Other times he’s a horny drunk who wants to tell everyone off. He’s the every man, but he’s man’s best friend.

11.) Wesley Wyndam Pryce (Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel): Out of all of Joss Whedon’s characters I love his transformation the best. He started on Buffy as a wimpy Watcher who was sent to replace Giles, then came over to Angel as a rougue demon hunter. Since then he betrayed his friends, lost the love of his life, and almost killed his father. In 5 seasons of television Wesley went from book worm to badass.

10.) Juno MacGuff (Juno): In middle of trying to figure out life she found out she had one inside of her. Juno loves her Sunny D. and, for some reason, Paulie Bleeker. She always seems to see a bright side, but with a twist. Ellen Page helped add so much depth to this character Juno seemed to have a part of every girl I knew, but like no one I’d ever met.

9.) Dr. Gregory House M.D. (House M.D.): I’m not one for medical shows, but for years I’ve tuned in to Fox to see just what insults House will give his next patient. He’s smarter than everyone, and he knows it, but he still can’t do a good self-examination. He was hooked on pain killers, and when he got out of rehab he went right back to driving everyone insane with cynicism.

8.) Kaylee Frye (Firefly & Serenity): Everyone loves the quirky pilot, Wash, but who really holds Serenity together? Why the mechanic of course. Kaylee first boarded Serenity to get some action, and has been keeping the crew’s spirits flying ever since. She’s a wiz with machines, but enjoys fancy parties and fluffy dresses. Whether it’s crushing on the young doctor, or helping heist a train Kaylee is always in a positive mood. She’s the sweet girl-next-door with grease on her face, and what’s more hot than that?

7.) Professor Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter franchise): One generation got Gandolf as their fantasy mentor; after him was Obi-Wan Kenobi; and now this generation will be hearing Dumbledore’s wisdom in their heads to guide them through life. Helping steer Harry through seven books Professor Dumbledore always seemed to be ahead of everyone else, and knew exactly what to do. He also kept a phoenix as a pet, which is just awesome. At the end of The Half-Blood Prince I believe he became one with The Force like Obi-Wan and then was able to come back to Harry in The Deathly Hallows. Anyone with me on this?

(my wife would have killed me had I used a picture of the other actor who played A.D.)

6.) Dr. Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory): He’s that annoying friend everyone has, and they’re never quite sure why they hang out with him. For most of my friends I would be that guy. He has no interest outside of science, comics, and Battlestar Galactica. He likes to let everyone know how much smarter he is than them and has no interest in any kind of intercourse. I think even Temperance Brennan would find him odd, but that would be a classic meeting of the brains there. The fact that Leonard, Raj, Howard, have not killed Sheldon yet either says a lot about their self-control, or just how little friends they have.

5.) McLovin (Superbad): When a young boy by the name of Fogell took on the alter-ego of McLovin an entire country was turned upside down. Even in his recent film, Kick-Ass, I couldn’t help wait for Christopher Mintz-Plasse to say some classic line like, “yeah, what up gangstas.” Fogell is just a nerd who thinks he’s cool, but McLovin is a guy who can party with cops and sleep with the smokin red-head. Chica-chica yeah!

4.) Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother): This is the man that made high fives and laser tag cool again. Neil Patrick Harris is the perfect supporting character that sleeps with everyone woman he sees, and abides by The Bro Code. Bro Code Article 2: A Bro is always entitled to do something stupid, as long as the rest of his Bros are doing it.

Barney once dressed up as an 80-year-old man just to prove he’ll be able score with women when he is that age. But Mr. Stinson isn’t all sexist and selfish. He was the one person who went all the way to San Francisco to bring back Lilly after she left Marshall in the rain. Years from now Barney Stinson will go down in TV history as legen, wait for it, dary! Legendary!

3.) Heath Ledger’s Joker (The Dark Knight): When I first heard Ledger was going to be The Joker I couldn’t help but cringe. His accent in Brokeback Mountain was horrific and I did not want him sullying the comic book genre. People wondered how his performance would compare to the iconic Jack Nicholson Joker.  However after the opening night of The Dark Knight he definitely put a smile on my face. Ledger turned heads as a down-to-earth Joker nobody had even thought of before. His accent was flawless, his character was interesting, and his dialogue was classic. The performance even earned him a Golden Globe and an Oscar. Unfortunately Mr. Ledger was taken before his time, but man what a way to go out.

2.) Seth Cohen (The O.C.) Ok, let’s be honest. If you’ve ever met me you know the reason I like Seth Cohen is because I pretty much am Seth Cohen. Well, him or Eric Foreman. Nobody tuned in to watch Mischa Barton. People watched The O.C. to see the guy who made comic books cool, and watch him try and win Rachel Bilson’s character with proclamations of love while standing on kissing booths and hot dog stands . Seth and Summer also re-created the classic Spider-Man, upside down, in the rain, kiss.

Seth Cohen was constently voicing his opinion to anyone who would listen, which is why his pairing with the silent bad boy, Ryan, make them the perfect teenage duo. The O.C. was cancelled after four seasons, but I stopped watching it after season two. In the final episode’s montage Seth is seen getting married to Summer and living happily ever after.

1.) Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy): There is no doubt that Johnny Depp is a great actor, but everyone was surprised when he played a pirate so out there that nobody could have written this character. Some say he was little weird, a little not right in the head, or even a little gay. In any event Jack Sparrow is a guy who always come out on top in every situation, even if he has to slime his way out. On the surface his comes off as a bloody good pirate, but underneath lyes the morality of good man. He’s face down sea monsters, ghosts, and even several versions of himself.

It is said that Depp based his performance on Keith Richards, which of course means that no one could play Sparrow’s father in the third Pirates film except the late rocker himself. In any event, Depp made pirates cool and talking with a funny accent alright. Hoist up the sails and open your compass because it’s a pirate's life for me.

Comic To Read This Week: Secret Avengers #1

We’ve seen the world according to Nick Fury, Tony Stark, and even Norman Osborn. Now the Marvel Universe has a new visionary: Steve Rogers. The original Captain America is back from the dead and shaping up The House of Ideas like nobody can. After a final showdown with Osborn’s Dark Avengers at the end of Siege, Rogers has put together his own team of Avengers to be public heroes. However Steve has also formed another team that nobody knows about. A team consisting of some of the best the world has to offer. They stop disasters before they happen. They are the Secret Avengers.

Issue #1 starts off with Black Widow and Valkyrie posing as hookers to steal the mystical Serpent Crown. We’re not told what the big deal about the Serpent Crown is, but we just know that what Roger’s and Co. stole isn’t it. At least not all of it. The team soon finds themselves in space trying to look for their fallen teammate, Nova. This leaves Roger’s lover, and the person who shot him dead, Sharon Carter, back on Earth to hold down the fort. That is until a secret group that has been following the team knocks her out and looks to foil Roger’s A-Team. Did I mention these bad guys are lead by Nick Fury?

Steve Rogers may have picked Spider-Man, Wolverine, Iron Man, and a bunch of superstars to be The Avengers, but his roster for his secret team is much more interesting. Beast has left X-Men to be the smart guy of the group, and War Machine is the pilot and bad ass. Ant-Man is the resident funny man, while the dark loner Moon Knight rounds out the group. This is a team full of characters you never thought would work together, and I love it. You’ve never seen Nova or Moon Knight on a team, and never in the same situations as Steve Rogers and War Machine. I’m very interested to see how the group dynamic will unfold, and who will bump heads; maybe even bump uglies.

I love Ed Brubaker’s writing, from Uncanny X-Men to Daredevil, so naturally anything that seems interesting I’m going to check out. I feel like he has plans for this oddball group and I can’t wait to see what comes next. Mike Dedato’s art is pretty straightforward, and I’m used to it after his run on Uncanny X-Men. He doesn’t have any special style to his work, but that just means he gets criticized less, but I’m sure praised less as well.

Let Bendis have the popular kids in The Avengers. If I know Brubaker, he has a few twists in store for Roger’s covert team. I’m sure by the end of his run another team member is bound to put on the Nova helmet, and I’ll be there gitty with excitement.

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