Nightwing #133 – Dan Watters, Writer; V. Ken Marion, Artist; Veronica Gandini, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: This issue is sort of the calm before the storm, as Nightwing now knows the scale of the threat he’s facing. Olivia Pearce has now been exposed not just as a supernatural threat but as an undead one, and the Zanni’s twisted circus starts taking the children of Bludhave one by one. As Bryce languishes in a coma, Dick prepares for a sojourn into the unknown, making his peace with his allies and possibly saying goodbye. There are segments with Maggie Sawyer and Melinda, as well as an emotional farewell with Barbara, but someone else is watching. Martian Manhunter has been carefully watching the supernatural phenomena in the city, and he and Nightwing discuss the best way to approach it. In the end, Dick goes in alone, and we get our first glimpse at the Zanni’s world – and it’s terrifying. If this is any indication, next issue will be Dan Watters indulging his best horror instincts.
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #46 – Mark Waid, Writer; Adrian Gutierrez, Artist; Vicente Cifuentes, Inker; Tamra Bonvillain, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: Mark Waid has done a great job taking wacky Silver Age concepts and infusing them with real stakes here, and this arc is no exception. Joker and Luthor, forced into an awkward team-up, have stolen a Thanagarian artifact with matter-transfusing powers – and turned themselves into a hideous fused form, while Batman and Superman have been displaced, turned immaterial at the worst possible time. With Hal Jordan’s help, they regain their fused form from earlier in the run and go after their fused enemy – just as Joker and Luthor start to realize exactly what they can do in this new body. It’s nicely contrasted, as Superman and Batman start to understand each other better, the two villains use their joint skills to unleash chaos on the world and infuse the whole world with Joker’s sadistic madness. The twist ending is obviously going to be undone, but it’s still a great hook for a cliffhanger.
Catwoman #82 – Torunn Gronbekk, Writer; Danielo Beyruth/Joe Prado, Patricio Delpeche, Artists
Ray – 8.5/10
Ray: Selina’s Italian adventure continues, as she infiltrates the masquerade ball to try to get her hands on the Palermo Pearl, one of the most precious objects in Carmine Falcone’s possession. As the old mob boss makes his move to sell the object, Selina finds another mysterious agent with an interest in her. The flashbacks that break up the issue continue to be the best part, as Selina finds out from Maggie that their drunk, abusive father is in the hospital and might be dying. Selina’s visit to him turns out to be very unsatisfying, something that will be all too familiar and real for people who had bad parents they tried to reunite with. But the end of the issue takes things in a completely different direction, bringing in a major new villain from the Bat-verse and massively raising the scales. This slow-burn story has been going on for a while, but it might just be hitting a new gear now.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes
