Batman

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile for February 15, 2012

The DOC’s Top of The Pile

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

(A weekly “quick pick” of the five titles that should reside at the top of your pull list. In no particular order!)

I do the research, you reap the reward! Before you head out to your favorite shop today, be sure to add these five books to your list of goodies. Forget that apple a day nonsense, this “DOC’s” prescription for good health starts with these top five titles of the week!

1. Batman #6: Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are creating DC’s best book today! The Court of Owls has broken Bruce Wayne like they did to his ancestors before. Can he emerge from the horror unscathed or will he be changed forever? Check out my review for more details!

2. Green Lantern Corps #6: It’s the Keepers against Guy Gardner’s band of warriors. All hell breaks loose, but did Guy bring enough bullets to save his fellow Lanterns? Find out more in my full review!

3. The New Avengers #21: Norman Osborn has been two steps ahead of the Avengers the whole time. But when his new Dark Avengers unleash Ragnarok on them, will there be anyone left to outwit? Bendis gives us one awesome battle book way before A vs. X!

4. B.P.R.D.: Hell On Earth – The Long Death #1: The end is coming and wheels that have been set in motion years ago, begin to spin out of control! Mignola promises that, “we are breaking things that cannot be fixed!” Jump aboard now before it all goes to hell!

5. Fables #114: As the cubs find out their foretold roles for the future, on of them maybe inviting in something demonic. Check out one of the most underrated books out there! You will never look at your childhood fairytales the same again!

Movie News

Review: Batman #6

Snyder’s viscous breakdown of the Batman continues here, and the Court of Owls is on the cusp of victory! The Talon has emerged from the shadows with his sights solely locked on the utter destruction of the Dark Knight. Will he be able to remove Batman from the heart of Gotham permanently, or can Bruce dredge up enough strength to live another day?

Continually spellbinding, Snyder’s vision for the premiere Bat-book is one like you have never seen before. Never have I read a Batman series that mentally and physically breaks him with every page. It is gut-wrenching to witness the amount of brutality that is bestowed upon such an iconic character, and yet — you will relish every moment of it! The pomposity that is the facade of Bruce Wayne is nowhere to be seen, this is The Batman; the hero that was created the night his parents were killed, the cunning nightmare that stalks the minds of criminals everywhere! When you are broken beyond repair, all you have is your mental strength to carry you onward. Will it be enough for Bruce Wayne, or has the Court of Owls already sunk their talons in too deep?

This series is outstanding! Snyder’s writing continually gets better with every page and Capullo’s art is off the charts. The cover alone is mesmerizing! It is a horrific amalgam of Bat and Owl, showcasing the utter hell that Bruce Wayne has been going through. I dare you to stare at it and not feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up! Utterly amazing!

This series is the best that DC is putting out right now! Every month it is the book I look forward to most — from any company! It is a complete re-imagining of the icon we grew up with and breaks down the walls of expectations. Bruce Wayne is a man that has over estimated his observations, and must now deal with a world that has been turned upside down. Gotham will change, Batman will change, and the scope of the book will forever change the way we see our hero. Snyder has changed the status quo of “super hero” books and I can’t wait for the future!

Movie News

Review: Justice League #5

Destruction rains down wherever the eye can see. Creatures from another world soar through the air, causing chaos to the very fabric of the earth. All this, the pain, the suffering, is being done on the breath of a single name — Darkseid!

Johns and Lee pit our newly formed heroes against one of the greatest foes the world has ever seen! And the victor in this malevolent battle — the reader!

I must say, that between Lee and his bevy of inkers and colorists, this is the best work he has put out to date. Not only beautiful, it is explosive and fluid — creating page after page of pure excitement! If this book doesn’t get your pulse pounding — you’re dead inside!

Not to be outdone by his artistic counterpart, Geoff Johns creates a tale that is brimming with action and yet, focuses in on select characters of the team to further enhance who they are. Yes, we all know these characters, but Johns brings new niches to their iconic status. He makes them fresh and energetic for not only new fans, but for all fans of these beloved characters. I personally appreciate that Johns does not set these heroes up as the near omnipotent Justice League that they will become. Remember, this story takes place five years in the past, this team is actually forming before your eyes and Johns makes their partnership faulty at best. But, it is the lack of leadership, even teamwork, that makes this book so well done. Plus, Johns has made Green Lantern one of the cockiest S.O.B.’s around, and yet, he gets pummeled EVERY issue! Brilliant stuff!

The alien, the amazon, the cyborg, the king, the lightning bolt, the hotshot and the human; all heroes in their own right, must finally learn to depend on others to topple this unstoppable force set before them — before it’s too late! An amazing book, full of velocity, ferocious action and whip smart tenacity; this one should sit proudly atop your pull list. Pull up a chair and watch Hal Jordan break! Too bad it wasn’t Ryan Reynolds instead!

Movie News

Review: Batman #4

Explosions rock Batman as he continues on his quest stop the Talon, the Court of Owls menacing assassin. But it’s not the explosions that will cause the most damage, it is Batman’s disbelief that the Court of Owls even exists that will hurt him the most! Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo continue on their quest

Comic Book News

Review: Batman #3

The Court of Owls has taken roost within Gotham, and neither Bruce Wayne nor the Batman will ever be the same! Scott Snyder conjures up an eerie tale of hidden secrets and a haunted past. A tale that will send shivers of excitement down your spine as glimpses of Gotham's past emerge before you, as

Comic Book News

Review: Batman: Detective Comics #3

The Dollmaker has torn the streets of Gotham asunder — literally! Jim Gordon has been taken captive, Batman has been poisoned, and the little girl that everyone has been looking for –just might be linked to numerous deaths. This will take all of Bruce Wayne's detective skills just to live through the night! Tony Daniel

Comic Book News

Review: Batman: The Dark Knight #1 (Jenkins & Finch)

Well, the third and final Bat book has hit the stands, but the punch has been pulled back a little. The art is outstanding, the story good, but there is really nothing that grabs you and makes you say "wow" when you close the book. Last week we saw a breakout at Arkham in the

Comic Book News

Review: Batman #1 (Snyder & Capullo)

Snyder and Capullo step up to the plate and swing for the fences in the Dark Knight's second solo book of the New 52. A totally different vibe than Tony Daniels' take on Detective, where Bruce Wayne is bathed in the shadow of the Bat, Snyder lets Bruce take center stage throughout most of the

Comic Book News

Review: Batman: Detective Comics #1 (Daniel)

The Joker kills without prejudice. No man, woman or child is safe while the deranged murderer prowls the streets of Gotham. That's why one man takes to the streets, nightly stalking this devil, so that one day — Gotham's pain can be washed away. Besides the Flashpoint tie-in, which was AMAZING, I haven't read a

Comic Book News

Review: Flashpoint: Batman: Knight of Vengeance #2 (of 3)

I have not read a Batman book for many a year now. There are just too many books, too many convoluted stories, too many contradictions – just too much! So I lept at the chance to read a story that gave me one Batman, one finite story and one creative team that has written some

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