Batman Gotham by Gaslight: The Kryptonian Age #5 – Andy Diggle, Writer; Leandro Fernandez, Artist; Matt Hollingsworth, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: As we head closer to the final act, this issue puts all the players in place. Some of them only appear in quick segments, such as Victor Stone passing on a job with Lex Luthor once he discovers how Lex treats his test subjects – only to wind up blown up in a suspicious explosion and facing a new life as one of the subjects himself. John Constantine encounters a strange mystic on a ship, while Batman plots a new course. However, the main segment of this issue finds Lois and Jimmy chasing down con-man Alan Scott in a small western town – only to bear witness to the local sheriff’s unique display of gunless law enforcement, seemingly shrugging off bullets with country-fried charm. And so the title character finally makes his appearance, in a way that feels very fresh and yet exactly like Superman would be in this environment. This book is so ambitious it often feels scattered, but the quality is top-notch.
DC Vs. Vampires: World War V #3 – Matthew Rosenberg, Tyler Boss, Writers; Otto Schmidt, Miquel Muerto, Artists; Pierluigi Casolino, Colorist
Ray – 8/10
Ray: The vampire civil war continues apace, with the loyalists hunting down Damian Wayne and his rebel vampires trying to stay one step ahead. There are some big new additions this issue, including Alfred with a Green Lantern ring holding his own against vampire Wonder Woman, and the reveal that Mister Miracle and Big Barda’s child is alive – and may have some unique properties due to the circumstances of her birth. The series still packs a punch due to its anyone-can-die nature – with a surprisingly stark sacrifice this issue – but it often feels like most characters are disposable for the sake of shock value. The horror tone of the series is compelling, but it kind of lacks the high-octane thrills of DCeased. Still, the reveal of a potential new bearer of a key mantle is interesting at the end of the issue.
The backup, the second half of this story, features Bat-Mite – or rather, Geo-Mite, as he picks a new hero to follow obsessively in the wake of Batman’s death. It doesn’t go well, but Tyler Boss continue to deliver a hilarious tale that ends with one of the series’ funniest visuals.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
