METAL MEN #9 DC COMICS
Dan Didio and Shane Davis continue to keep story interesting and fun even though it is heading straight into the Dark Metal nonsence. While the Phantom Stranger pops in for a bit of exposition, Tin, Lead, and the rest of the Metal Men are given some yrue props as they come up with a solution to the old Chemo problem. With the Metal Manimals destroyed (Yah!), what’s the deal with Tina? And is anyone else missing the gurgling sounds from Chemo? I am! I give it a 7 out of 10 Grahams.
BATMAN #97 DC COMICS
While not the biggest of current Batman fans, I was recommended to check this storyline out. And while I have not been following the story up until now, I am both interested and appalled by this installment. I have checked out some of Punchline’s beginnings when the hoopala started but I am not at all impressed with the character. My old time comic senses are tingling. She’s going to turn on the Joker someday and he’s gonna have to whack her. (Remember, you heard it here first!) And even without Alfred to keep an eye on things, I find it impossible to believe that the Joker got his hands on everything in the Wayne fortune. Batman, himself, spends most of the issue drugged up on crazy gas and Harley juice. And I certainly could do without robe wearing 80’s stud Joker in his speedo. Just yuck! But Tynion IV’s story has interesting points to it. Some of the Joker’s dialog stays true to form as he explains his complicated relationship with the Bat Family. Harley’s diagnosis that something about the Joker is off. The concept of there being parts of Gotham that Batman is unaware off is an interesting point that could be put to good use in later storylines. For fans of the current take on Batman, I’m sure this is a hit. But for those who have been watching Batman trade wits with the Clown Prince of Crime for decades, this is an Elseworlds saga. I give it a 6 out of 10 Grahams.
