Batman: The Dark Knight No. 2
Bats has taken to the streets to find a Lohan-esque socialite that goes by the ludicrous name of Dawn Golden, and while the plot of this issue manages to capture a rage-filled vigilante, it is a few tools short of a utility belt.
David Finch writes with incredible purpose and vision, and he does so in a way that is attempting to recreate Batman in a new, harsher tone. While his heart is in the work, true originality is not.
This issue follows the trail of the missing prima donna, which leads to the ever predictable, pint-sized Penguin. Before Batman even lets the chunky villain speak, he's broken a vast majority of Penguin's extremities.
This issue manages to rear its pointy ears at a peculiar time, nearly three months after its first comic and in the middle of the highly rated Batman Incorporated series. While it's still early in the production, The Dark Knight series has provided less insight into Bruce Wayne than a verbose Edward Nigma riddle.
This issue really only serves as an additional pickup to the slew of exceptional Batman story arches out there. In the kindergarten playground of Batman comics available, this series is slowly becoming the pity pick in the lineup of its superior peers.
FF No. 1
The Fantastic Four has been an absolute roller coaster of emotions over the past few months, characters returning, young ones being introduced to the Richards clan, and more recently, the death of the fiery core of the team.
"FF No. 1" is such an outstanding issue because it attempts to break free of the mold of other superheros' demises, and with the help of an epic team-up, it manages to do so.
Jonathan Hickman begins to weave this "fantastic" tale by reflecting on the trials that Reed Richards has faced over the past few months, and does so not in a nostalgic-plot-device scheme, but in an emotion-evoking display of deep sadness that the team feels. Without missing a step, Hickman thrusts upon readers a plot twist of M. Night Shyamalan proportions.
All of this superb writing is complemented by the brilliant mind and pencil of artist Steve Epting. Illustrating Spider-Man in his iconic attire is an old staple of the industry, and Epting marvelously depicts Spidey in perfectly orchestrated two-tone glory.
Marvel's biggest launch of the year has commenced, and with two extremely talented people at the party, it is most certainly a scene worth investigating for the low cover fee of $3.99.
Meta4 No. 5
Meta4 is essentially all the tripping of a major dose without the chemicals and all of the delusions.
The beautiful part of this series is that it is like an indie movie that has yet to be discovered. It doesn't pretend to be anything it's not, as it has no expectations of what the readers want it to be. By writing without standards, Ted Mckeever takes the reader on a journey of understanding his vision of the human mind. With what some would consider rambling, Mckeever paints his vivid interpretation, yet maintains a level of sanity by leaving his series without any ink.
His message is so remarkably singular and irregular in its content that it is a welcome change to a rather stagnant mainstream of issues.
Even beyond the fine tapestry of verbose language that comprises the comic, Mckeever uses artwork that has an even more entrancing effect. Every panel manages to tell another convoluted story within the paradox of the overarching plot.
While this issue clearly takes a stand on what is "out of the box," not every reader will succumb to its unique blend of imagery and absence of trite, comic book dialogue.
Meta4 is strange and beautiful for those seeking a haven from the norm, but be warned – results may vary.
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