Batwoman #5 – Greg Rucka, Writer; DaNi, Artist; Matt Hollingsworth, Colorist
Ray – 9.5/10
Ray: Last issue pulled back the curtain on the bizarre status quo we find ourselves in, where Kate Kane was seemingly locked up safely at a mysterious sanitarium after the death of her sister in battle. But by night, Batwoman prowls the city fighting a cult – more vicious and violent than she’s ever been before. It didn’t make sense – but now we know that Beth isn’t dead. She’s suffered a different kind of mental break, and has been impersonating her sister’s secret identity. The origin of this unique plot preys on both sisters’ biggest weakness, and Kate soon finds herself being pulled in as well. The cult plot is a little hard to follow still, but there’s a really strong emotional core to this issue that settles some long-standing open wounds between the sisters. I’m hoping that this run eventually finds the two of them in a good place, but there’s something to be said for the cyclical doomed tragedy that seems to be playing out.
Lobo #5 – Skottie Young, Writer; Jorge Corona, Artist; Jean-Francois Beaulieu, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: Now that Lobo’s brief detour with Supergirl is over, the Main Man is back to causing chaos, with one slight detour – there’s a massive bounty on his head. His former employer wants their money back in blood, and Lobo spends most of the issue fending off his new enemies – ranging from a former lover packing some big guns, to an army of little fuzzy guys who hunt bounties as a swarm, to a pair of familiar-looking rogues named Murder-Mouth and Fisty-Claws who look rather familiar. Sick of it, Lobo schedules a one-on-one meeting with the murderous network executive, who drops some interesting lore about their reach – there’s even a potential spoiler for another book that just started set back on Earth. But then he gives Lobo a chance to get out of it – and that’s where things get interesting, and the title takes a particular turn for the absurd that reminds me a lot of Young’s work on I Hate Fairyland.
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #53 – Mark Waid, Writer; Adrian Gutierrez, Artist; Vicente Cifuentes, Inker; Luis Guerrero, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: It’s the conclusion to Mark Waid’s intriguing Skartaris-based story, which has paid great tribute to Mike Grell’s original Warlord stories. Not only does he make great use of the many characters in the cast, but he uses the different nature of this world to weave some interesting tension. As Batman and Superman have been possessed by Tyrant Rex and turned into his soldiers, Robin is left to work with Travis Morgan and his allies to stay alive and free them. But the vicious army of monsters proves an imposing threat, and Morgan isn’t sure they’ll be able to survive without Robin breaking his no-killing rule. As the final showdown looms, Robin pulls off a deadly gambit that risks everything – but pays dividends. It’s rare you see a story that tackles these issues without demonizing one side or another, but the two groups of heroes here literally come from different worlds and Waid reflects that well.
Catwoman #89 – Torunn Gronbekk, Writer; Davide Gianfelice, Artist; Patricio Delpeche, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: Black Mask’s revenge plot against Catwoman has come to a head, and these past few issues have been some of the most intense that we’ve seen out of the comic in a long time. Roman, partnered with his financial backer Katrina Belov, have essentially systematically dismantled Catwoman’s life, targeting everyone she’s close to. After she saved Holly from an induced overdose, her focus now turns to Slam Bradley and her sister Maggie – both of whom have been taken and placed in sadistic traps. Slam is in a trigger-trap while holding on to a live grenade, while Maggie has been put on display in a rigged escape tank filling with water. The race against time is so intense that Selina has been forced to consult with another old enemy – her potential estranged father. At the same time, Black Mask’s own plan starts to unravel, setting up a brutal confrontation between two increasingly desperate old foes.
End of Life #6 – Kyle Starks, Writer; Steve Pugh, Artist; Chris O’Halloran, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: Eddie Stallion’s life has gone down the tubes again, with his father kicking him out and ordering him to leave town on pain of death. Instead, he’s decided to crash with the one friend he has left – and her son – with her quickly getting sick of him as well. As he plans his next move, the Menagerie does as well – kicking off a bloody power struggle among the animal-costumed villains. But our master villain, lurking behind the scenes, is the one calling in the heavy hitters, in the form of a deranged silent dwarf with a penchant for torture who has an even more unhinged partner in crime. This duo sometimes feels like they come from a different, lesser comic that leans more into shock value, but this issue does have some great moments as Eddie connects with his old love and gets one more chance – only for things to go sideways again at the worst possible time.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes
