There’s an old adage that says, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” If there was any character in the DC Universe that didn’t need a reboot, it was Batman. Batman had been strong before the reboot.

He fought Darkseid, traveled through time, discovered his lost son, Damian, and founded Batman Inc., an international corporation devoted to stopping crime funded by his alter ego, Bruce Wayne. The stories and characters of the Batman mythos did not need a reboot.

So how is Batman in the New 52 DC Universe?

I’m pleased to report that he is still awesome. In fact, Batman hasn’t changed much at all post-reboot. His costume is different, but every detail of his story is exactly the same as it was before the relaunch.

Batman #1 is truly meant for old comic fans, and people who have never read a comic before but know who Batman is. Although, the writer could have spent a little more time explaining who the various Robins were; the book does use a clever exposition device that gives you their name, their current code name, and their relation to Batman.

Continue Reading →

Welcome to another edition of The Pull List Comic Reviews! This week we have a shorter list, but as you know, it’s about quality, not quantity. Besides, all of your favorites are here, including a couple of surprises. As always, WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.

PULL OF THE WEEK:

Wolverine: Under The Boardwalk one-shot
Marvel Comics – $3.99 US
Writer: Stuart Morre
Artist: Tomm Coker
Score: 8.5

About to board a plane for Alaska, Wolverine receives a mysterious text message asking him to go to Atlantic City instead. Stranger still is the reference to a man Logan hasn’t seen in 40 years, Phil De Blasio, a mafia underboss who tried to kill him last time they met. What transpired on that boardwalk all those years ago has found a way to catch up to him, much to Logan’s chagrin.

In this latest one-shot focusing on Wolverine, writer Stuart Moore crafts a mystery that takes the character from Atlantic City to Coney Island, searching for answers while being reminded that most of his memories contain violence for a reason. Where Moore differed from other recent writers of Wolverine-centric one-shots, however, is what made this issue work, and that is the fact that the writer never lost sight of how a haunted character like Wolverine really shouldn’t experience peace and closure.

Complimenting this wonderful story is the art by Tomm Coker. The artist, hands down, drew the nicest issue I’ve seen this week. A noir vibe that pulsates throughout, the art is every bit as scratchy and slashy as the character’s past has shown, and while the story centers more on inner reflections and whatnot, there’s still the occasional action shot that mirrors Wolverine’s famous savagery. Beautiful in every way, the art within this issue should not be passed up.

Continue Reading →