Welcome, friends to the first installment of “The 3cap,” our weekly recap of DC’s three weekly titles: “Batman Eternal,” “Earth 2: World’s End,” and “New 52: Futures End.” Each week, we will take a look at the each issue released, while recapping the action and asking the burning questions. If you spot something we missed, make sure to leave a note in the comments!
Batman Eternal #27
Written by Tim Seeley, Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV, Ray Fawkes, and Kyle Higgins
Illustrated by Javier Garron
Reviewed by Vince Ostrowski
News, notes, and debuts:
No surprise that Tim Seeley scripted this one, as it heavily featured Batgirl, Catwoman, and most telling of all, Killer Croc. Selina plays a bunch of different crime families against each other – no doubt foreshadowing her eventuality as the mob leader of Gotham City (as seen in both “Batman” #28 and the “Futures End” month titles). Batgirl takes Jason Bard to task over the innocence of her father. And finally, Killer Croc goes after Jade McKillen’s kidnappers in an effort to get her back under his scaly wing.
– The colorful Flamingo returns – a villain created by Grant Morrison for his Dick Grayson-as-Batman volume of “Batman and Robin.” The Frank Quitely cover that sported his original design is among the most memorable of Morrison’s entire run with Batman, if you ask me.
– On top of the return of Flamingo, we had a few other callbacks, both old and newer. The McKillen family was last dealt with in the “Batman and Two-Face” arc, while the “Whisper Gang”, unless I am missing some other appearance, last appeared in the ‘Court of Owls’ arc from Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo’s “Batman.”
– Selina’s grudge with Mr. Bone goes all the way back to Judd Winick’s “Catwoman” at the dawn of the ‘New 52’.
– I loved the myriad animals that populated the issue thanks to the eccentric Dragos Ibanescu. It gave “Batman Eternal” a more colorful feel than usual, and populated the issue with some interesting things, visually. Javier Garron clearly had a lot of fun drawing this issue. The art was a lighter fare, which is appreciated every once in a while, even while “Batman Eternal” attempts to maintain mostly the same gritty tone that the Bat Books have boasted for a while now.
– Spoiler gets the best moment of the issue, leaving a note behind for Batman and proving that the City of Gotham is better with her in it. Yes, it includes a hashtag. Folks, hashtags are here to stay. #dealwithit
Three Eternal Questions:
1. What’s going on under Arkham?
Early in the issue, we see a group of prisoners making their way through the sewers, while their bodies seem to wisp around like smoke. I’ve affectionate dubbed these prisoners “Oldboy Lady”, “Audrey II Elbows” (“Feed me, Seymour!”), and “Black Boil Baggins”, respectively. They’re speaking vaguely about the “black fire” and their souls being sent away. It doesn’t take Benedict Cumberbatch to figure out this has something to do with Deacon Blackfire. But where are these people going, and what will they do? Though they technically have their freedom, they don’t have any direction and seem like they’re in a daze. Do they play back in to the story later? Or are they just collateral damage for whatever the Gotham supernatural has planned?
2. Does Stephanie Brown become a Robin next?
Okay, so questions about who the next Robin is going to be have been popping up ad nauseum around the comics internet. But Stephanie Brown is making a legitimate case for being one of the most likely candidates. I’d still put the highest odds on Damien coming back to take the mantle, but Steph has to be right up there around the top. For one, Julia seems unlikely after taking her place as Penny-Two, while Harper Row seems to comfortably fit the role of Bluebird. Anyone else would probably seem like a demotion in status at this point. After a strong showing in this week’s installment of “Batman Eternal”, could Stephanie fit the bill? Let’s not forget the cover to “Batman and Robin” #36.
Continued below3. How does Catwoman win the Game of Thrones?
We saw a lot of interplay between the different Gotham City gangs, and a dominant Catwoman playing them against one another. But what is her ultimate power play? And how does she ultimately end up on top? We’ll be getting those answers soon, I think, but I’m fascinated as to what her motives are in doing so. It is perhaps the longest running mystery of “Batman Eternal” right now, given that we saw it teased all the way back in “Batman” #28.
Earth 2: World’s End #1
Written by Daniel H. Wilson, Marguerite Bennett, and Mike Johnson
Illustrated by Ardian Syaf, Jorge Jiminez, Eddy Barrows, Paolo Siquera, and Scott McDaniel
Reviewed by Brian Salvatore
News, notes, and debuts:
This issue, the first of the new weekly, takes time to get potential new readers caught up with the last 2 years of “Earth 2,” and manages to sprinkle in a little, but not too much, new information.
The big debut in this issue is the Grayson family – Dick, Barbara, and their son, Johnny. Not too much backstory is given to the Graysons, but everyone reading the book understands who they are, even if why they’re being featured isn’t abundantly clear, just yet. On the first two-page spread, there are six families/friends featured – the Garricks, Alan Scott and Sam Zhou, the Kents, the Waynes, Kendra and Khalid, and the Graysons. As the other five groupings have, essentially, been the focus of the first 2.5 years of stories, this means that the Graysons are set to play a huge role in this weekly.
Sam Zhou, a character that died in the second issue of the series, gets a lot of time here, too, developing the character from just “Alan Scott’s boyfriend” to a character with real importance to the series. The rest of the issue is spent recapping/filling in parts that were only hinted at or assumed in the past, and getting the status quo set for the weekly. All things considered, it does quite well with this.
Especially impressive is how not-jarring the use of a breakdown artist, four pencilers, and four inkers looks on the page. Because the book covers so much ground, different artists can handle different time periods/locations, and use the different styles to their advantage. McDaniel handles the layouts, and his work is impressive in so much as he manages to tell extremely complex histories (again, nearly 3 years worth) in simple and compelling visuals.
Plus, this is the largest $2.99 comic you’ll buy all year – this is a good thing, because for many of the folks buying the weekly, they’ve been keeping up with the monthly title, and much of this is recapping. If this was a dollar or more higher in price, it would feel like filler. But here, we get a concise, new reader friendly title, which is easy on the wallet, on the eyes, and sets up a few really intriguing plot points to follow for the next six months.
Three Worldly Questions:
1. Is Dick Grayson the next Batman?
We have no real idea why the Graysons are here – there isn’t an obvious reason for their appearance in the book, so clearly they are being built up for something. At the same time, over in “Earth 2” proper, we see that Batman’s reliance on Miraclo is probably not sustainable, long-term. The original promo image (DC3ified above) showed a fallen Huntress – could Dick and Johnny be the new Batman and Robin? Could Barbara, perhaps, get shot in the back again and be the Alfred/Oracle hybrid character? That’s my guess.
2. How long before Darkseid himself shows up?
The issue ends with the arrival of the Furies – presumably to take over for the fallen Steppenwolf. At some point, much like in the first arc of “Justice League,” I full expect Darkseid himself to show up. But when will that happen? My guess is somewhere around January, to drive the last few months of the story home.
Continued below3. Is Khalid Dr. Exposition form now on?
Khalid, Dr. Fate/Nabu, babbles a ton of nonsense at the end of the issue, but there are some clear clues in there:
– “to take our refuge on the crimson moon”
– “the old world captured”
– “the dawn of an angry sun”
Right now, there doesn’t appear to be too much for Fate to be doing, so expect more of these clues from his mouth for the foreseeable future.
The New 52: Futures End #23
Written by Brian Azzarello, Jeff Lemire, Keith Giffen, and Dan Jurgens
Illustrated by Aaron Lopresti and Art Thiebert
Reviewed by Zach Wilkerson
News, notes, and debuts:
The latest issue of “Futures End” presents a strange dichotomy; balls to the wall super heroic sci-fi action, and the revitalization of “Young Romance.”
The issue picks up from last week’s huge cliffhanger, with the new Stormwatch gang (I’m assuming it’s ok to call them the new Stormwatch, because that’s basically what they are) facing down the latest and most menacing incarnation of Brainiac. The fight offers some interesting nuggets of info regarding this Brainiac’s motivations and actions, but it’s mostly a fantastic showcase for Black Adam and the reinvigorated Ray Palmer. It’s great to see Ray back in the suit, brandishing a classic “Sword of the Atom,” if you will, while still retaining that quirky mad scientist vibe. Thanks to Adam the team is able to escape the Blood Moon. Unfortunately, Brainiac’s army is in hot pursuit.
We flash from the depths of space to the common scenery of Earth, as a forlorn Madison Payne reflects on her recent fights with Cal/Tim Drake. In what I can only hope is a throwback to romance comics of days past, Madison’s though bubbles coalesce into full panels, depicting the heartbreaking lovers quarrel. To top things off, Madison finds her self falling squarely into the arms of one Ronnie Raymond, as Tim looks wistfully on from a distance. Alas, young love is filled with such trial.
Next, some stuff happens with a bunch of characters that no one really likes. Oh, and Sgt. Rock! If Brian Azzarello doesn’t get to do something ridiculously awesome with grizzled old Sgt. Rock, I will cry big disgusting man tears.
The issue closes with yet another glimpse into Brother Eye’s apocalyptic future, as Bruce Wayne’s dire situation comes to an alarming head. Or should I say heads? It seems Brother Eye has developed a sense of twisted black humor. In the ultimate punk on a weary Mister Terrific, Eye reveals his plan to secure his place as ruler of earth.
Aaron Lopresti handles the art this issue, and it’s arguably one of his strongest turns on the series to date. All joking aside, the dream like sequence for Madison and Tim fit the tone extremely well, in a fun and goofy way. Once again, the segments focusing on Frankenstein and the team continue to be the most engaging and noteworthy, now more than ever thanks to the revelations regarding Brainiac. Nevertheless, it’s the book’s final page that everyone will be talking about, for better or worse.
Three Future Questions:
1. What is special about Hawkman, Amethyst, and Frankenstein?
Now, we pretty much know this new incarnation of Brainiac is in the trade of bottling some form of parallel universes. In this issue, Brainiac comments on having seen several versions of Black Adam, but seems unfamiliar with Hawkman, Amethyst, and Frankenstein. Considering that each of these characters have existed in previous versions of the DCU, it doesn’t quite make sense for Brainiac to have seen multiple Black Adams, but none of the others. Is there something particularly special about these characters?
I have no idea about Hawkman or Frankenstein, but it is worth noting that Amethyst is a native denizen of Gemworld, which, as we learned from the “The Multiversity” map, is a country of the Dreaming. As the Dreaming appears to exist outside of the Multiversal structure, one could assume Amethyst, like the New Gods, is unique in the DC multiverse. A lot of conjecture, but an interesting possibility nonetheless.
Continued below2. Is Sergeant Rock the new Nick Fury?
Grizzled war vet? Check. Decelerated aging process? Check. Eye patch (albeit a cyber one, because the future)? Check. I hope that the next issue doesn’t reveal that he’s actually an LMD OMAC.
3. Death of the Family 2: Judgement Day?
So…the Joker lost his face? Again? And now Batinator is going back in time to kill Sarah Con…I mean Terry McGinnis? I’ve hardly come across a better time to say “comics, everybody.” As silly and absurd as this issue’s finale is, it will most definitely be interesting to see how a Bruce Wayne/Joker hybrid from the future even functions, as well as how Terry and past Bruce will react to such a heinous monstrosity.
