Monitor Tapes for Monday, January 19th 2009
FINAL CRISIS #6 (OF 7)
Grant Morrison- Writer
J.G. Jones and Carlos Pacheco and Jesus Merino- Artists
How to Murder the Earth? Kill the Batman.
Final Crisis number six is going to be completely overshadowed by the death (that isn’t death) of Bruce Wayne. Batman’s removal from the DCU is unfortunately not as shocking as it should be due to the interactions of fans and DC, as Batman’s “Final Fate” was billed to be in Final Crisis when fans were bent out of shape when Bruce disappeared in an explosion. In reality, what we’ve got is two endings for Batman, one for the folks who want the “Human Detective” ending (in RIP, in a lot of ways similar to Holmes “Death” at Reichenbach Falls) and the DCU ending as Bruce Pops a cap in Darksied’s rotted ass. The latter being the “WTF” bane of fans, as he’s not someone who uses guns. I know it was probably meant to be a shocking moment, but Batman has used guns before, usually not to kill though. For years now, the only “Life” Batman’s truly valued is human life as he’s usually protecting them from themselves. However, all things not human like robots, aliens, and in this case gods, Batman has zero regard for life, especially since said “non-humans” are planning to take out human lives. Plus, this isn’t the first time Bruce has threatened to kill Darksied, it is the first time he’s gone through with it though.
The ironic thing about his death is he’s not even dead, the Omega Sanction is “the Death that is Life”. As those of us who’ve read Seven Solders: Mister Miracle know, the Omega Sanction is designed to make the target live a rapid succession of ever increasing terrible lives designed to break the individual. Shilo Norman is the only person who has escaped the Omega Sanction and death, after seeing Batman in the previous issues of his title series, I’m pretty sure it’s only a matter of time (?) as to when and where he shows up. True we wont see him for a while (ala Battle for the Cowl/ Blackest Night or should I say Blackest Knight) as sales are a sure thing when the title character goes missing these days. Start your office betting pool on the usual suspects with the characters below (see bottom of page).
Back to Final Crisis #6 it’s self, panel one we’re assured we’re in a Grant Morrison comic by Old Man Braniac 5’s words and assurances. Superman also helps out in putting his adventures in linear context during the Final Crisis explaining where he’s been in order (Superman Beyond/ Legion of Three Worlds). The next sequence of pages include the unlocking of an impossible arsenal, including the Miracle Machine, a literal Deux Ex Machina from Legion’s past. As Superman attempts to reach it, he’s told to simply look at it (as I’m sure Superman is able to memorize it or something equally Super), the presence of the Miracle Machine puts a crack in the universe allowing a possible triumph over “Evil”.
We then shift back to the JLA’s satellite “Watchtower”, where super hero refugees are trying to catch their breath and plan their next move. Tattooed Man gets drafted as an honorary member of the JLA by current chairman Black Canary, I mention this because I’m always rooting for the villain who gets tasked with joining the side of the angels, possibly due to the inherent complexity such characters end up with. I’ve often broken up villains into three categories, those who need money, those who want celebrity, and those who want to watch it all burn. It doesn’t mean that was their primary motivation, it’s more the career path they have open to them once they strap on a portable death-ray apparatus and decide to do something illegal. I’m hoping he sticks around as a hero for a while.
The battle between comic book “Good Girl” and “Bad Girl” continues, ending in tears and confirming suspicions. The best part of the book though is the Tigerman fight, teased last issue. I’m going to say the same thing I said aloud while reading-
Magic Tigerman with a Jetpack! MAGIC TIGERMAN WITH A JETPACK FIGHT! HOLY SHIT THAT’S AWESOME!
If that’s not a reason to read comics, I don’t know what is.
My only complaints this issue, the art being a bit inconsistent at times (due to the multiple helping hands trying to meet the deadlines), but serviceable at the least. Plus, what’s going on with Shilo Norman’s (Mister Miracle II) going vaguely Caucasian to Asian? It must be a serious Crisis if it’s turning a black man white then Asian!
Everything starts tying together and accelerating towards the conclusion. Kirby’s concepts start falling in line and tying themselves together with the rest of the DCU in an almost seamless fashion. From OMAC, a new Brother Eye, and the faceless Global Peace Agency, to the Great Disaster and the Animal Men. Luthor doesn’t let me down as Sivana plays evil uncle wingman to Luthor as they show why they are the kings of the super science set. Sivanna also has possibly the best line in the book regarding superhero comic clichés. DC if you’re reading this, please give us more of the most awesome character to come out of 2008, Most Excellent Super-Bat, provided he survives, as he truly (now) has the best power in the DCU! Barry Allen not only outrunning death, but setting up a plan with three generations of Flashes to use the Black Racer/ AKA Black Flash as a weapon. Superman coming out of the sky and strafing heat vision like a badass, there’s so much awesome in this book!
Really, this issue had so much awesome crammed in it I had to read it again! I’m almost sad that we’re so near the end.
And in brief-
NIGHTWING #152
Peter J. Tomasi- Writer
Don Kramer and Jay Liesten- Art
Phantoms of the past haunt the issue as Dick stares into the abyss inside Bruce’s suits, remembers his oath, and has a talk with Ra’s. With the confirmed “Death” (that is not death) of Batman, everyone in Bruce’s life is going to feel the weight of burden on their shoulders. Again, like the recent Nightwing two parter, this issue just feels empty (though I’m not a regular reader of Nightwing) as anything without Batman is going to feel. Then again maybe that’s what the writer intended.
ACTION COMICS #873
Geoff Johns- W
Pete Woods- A
Not good, not good for us human folk at all. Let’s just hope Superman and Luthor can work together in the near future to stop the threat of New Krypton. And who’s Superwoman? I’ve got a feeling we’ve seen her before, and is it Lex she’s protecting and not General Lane? So many questions left in the series with a myriad of possibilities for future stories.
FACES OF EVIL: PROMETHEUS
Sterling Gates- W
Federico Dalbochio- A
Much better than last weeks Faces of Evil One-Shot, Prometheus returns ultra pissed since his “Robin” has been running around pretending to be him. Needless to say, Gates makes sense (retconing) of recent stories where Prometheus became somewhat less a threat and more a incompetent villain when someone needed to punch someone in the face. Now rearmed and boasting a comical rep, Prometheus is set to put some hurt down on the JLA and anyone who gets in his way.
DC books available this Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
BATMAN: THE STRANGE DEATHS OF BATMAN
BIRDS OF PREY #126
BLACK LIGHTNING: YEAR ONE #2 (OF 6)
THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #21
FACES OF EVIL: DEATHSTROKE
FINAL CRISIS: SUPERMAN BEYOND #2 (OF 2)
THE FLASH: EMERGENCY STOP
GREEN LANTERN #37
HARLEY QUINN: PRELUDES AND KNOCK-KNOCK JOKES
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #29
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: SANCTUARY
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: THE LIGHTNING SAGA
ROBIN #182
SHADOWPACT: THE BURNING AGE
SUPERGIRL #37
SUPERMAN/BATMAN ANNUAL #3
SUPERMAN: SHADOWS LINGER
TANGENT: SUPERMAN’S REIGN #11 (OF 12)
TRINITY #34
VIGILANTE #2
Thanks for reading!