Showing posts with label gail simone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gail simone. Show all posts

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Saying Goodbye to Batgirl...Review of Batgirl: Futures End #1

Batgirl: Futures End #1
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Javier Garron
Cover by Clay Mann
Published by DC Comics



It’s five years later, and Barbara Gordon has become BĂȘte Noire – a.k.a. The Black Beast! Part Batman and part Bane, she leads a squad of female agents through the Gotham Underground!
 This is an emotional book for fans of Gail Simone's Batgirl.  It is her last issue on Batgirl and it hurts a little.  I started reading comics when the New 52 launched and Batgirl became my favorite character in the DCU.  Gail Simone obviously loves Barbara Gordon and fans can read that in the way she writes her.  Now that Gail Simone is leaving, I feel a little sad because the Batgirl I know and love is gone.  I have high hopes for the new writers of Batgirl and I know the artist Babs Tarr will do great, but part of me isn't ready to move on.  Anyways, on to the story!

After a traumatizing event at her wedding, Barbara goes on a crime cleaning spree.  One by one, she knocks out baddies like The Riddler and Oswald Cobblepot and has her sights set on the man who broke the bat: Bane.  She infiltrates his camp and works her way up to being trained by Bane.  When she returns to Gotham, she is no longer Batgirl.  She is now Bete Noire - The Black Beast.  She has gathered two previous Batgirls and one new addition!  Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain are back in their suits with Lucius Fox's daughter Tiffany Fox.  It is a cute idea and I wish we could have a League of Batgirls title!  It was great seeing the previous batgirls back in action.  Ultimately, Barbara has a final showdown with Bane and we get to say our final goodbye to this very much loved version of Batgirl. I think Gail Simone did a great job picking a story that was fun, filled with action, but also emotional.  If you are a fan of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl then make sure you pick this issue up.  A big thanks to Gail for writing such a wonderful character.  Batgirl has brought me so much join since I have started reading comics.  I have high hopes for the new direction, but your version of Batgirl will always be my first love. 

Rating 8.5/10

Thursday, July 4, 2013

The Movement Review #1-3

 After THREE WEEKS of not going to my local comic book store, I finally went yesterday. I picked up my usual Swamp Thing, the first volume of Ex Machina, and The Movement #1-3. Today I will be talking about The Movement.



The Movement is new DC comic written by Gail Simone with art by Feddie E. Williams II. Set in a town called Coral City where everyone from the cops to the government are corrupt. Citizens lead by a group of super humans are taking back their streets. I'm excited about this series because I love a good tale that makes you question what is right and wrong.



In issue #1, we open up to a scene where two cops are patting down two kids. They find drugs on one of the kids and the cops want to take them in for possession. One cop then says they'll let the two of them go if the girl exposes herself to the cops. Suddenly, people wearing silver masks holding up cell phones that say "i.c.u" are all around them. They've recorded the whole incident on video. This is the first time we see members of The Movement and it is super cool. You get a sense that they're everywhere. 


We meet important characters who seem to be in charge of The Movement. The leader is named Virtue and she can ride people's emotions. Doesn't sound like a very cool super power, but it looks good in the comic.  Katharsis has mechanical wings and a bad attitude. She reminds me of Jack Bauer. She's willing to break some fingers to get things done. We also meet Tremor, who is my personal favorite. We see her completely rearrange the street's topography with one touch of her hand. What a badass. We are introduced to Mouse, who can apparently control mice. He is another favorite of mine. We also meet a boy who calls himself Burden. He believes he is possessed by the devil, bu he really just has a creepy super power that turns him kind of evil.

The first issue of The Movement is fun and introduces a lot of characters without feeling rushed or too crowded. Simone does a great job of making everyone stand out in their own way. We are also introduced to the plot of a serial killer named the Cornea Killer. He/she is killing people and cutting their eyes out. Who is this Cornea Killer? And how is the group going to stay together with all their different point of views? I'm interested to find out!

Rating: 8/10 lightsabers



In issue #2, Virtue has captured the two corrupt cops from issue #1 and is keeping them prisoner in the group's lair. We meet a character named Vengeance Moth, a girl in a wheel chair who treats the cops with kindness. Mouse is having a breakdown because one of his mice died...then he eats it. You can tell his character will serve as the comic relief.

Anyways, the group is having a meeting about what to do with the cops. Tremor wants to let them go while Katharsis wants to teach them a lesson. Tension rises and Katharsis leaves to find the Cornea Killer herself. She goes to see a man named James Cannon, who apparently runs Coral City. It is there she gets into some trouble.

Meanwhile, the others are trying to find the Weather Witch because the Cornea Killer leaves a puddle of water behind each victim's head. The team is attacked and they kick some major ass. Then...the Weather Witch aka Rainmaker arrives. DUN DUN DUN!

This issue was a lot of fun. You get great dialogue with a lot of action. These characters are tough and you can tell some of them have some anger issues...Katharsis. She is one tough cookie. The art isn't spectacular, but it could be a lot worse. I honestly thought Rainmaker looked kind of silly. I just wasn't feeling her outfit. Just didn't do it for me.

Rating: 9/10 lightsabers




In issue #3, Katharsis is captured. The Rainmaker is well, making it rain. The team doesn't really know what to do. This whole time the Cornea Killer is still on the loose. Finally, Virtue talks some sense into Rainmaker. No need to go all crazy. We find out someone is setting Rainmaker up to look like the Cornea Killer. Rainmaker points the blame to James Cannon, the same man Katharsis went to visit. Virtue asks Rainmaker aka Sarah to help the group, but she says no. She just wants to be left alone. Virtue does get her number, though. Now the team has to go rescue Katharsis from jail. Virtue tries to trade the two cops for Katharsis, but Officer Fricks isn't having it. Then Virtue stands next to a window and we see a group of people with silver masks outside. Virtue says, "I tired to be nice. Now, we tear your damn 'house' down to the ground".

It seems to me that the team is going to be getting Katharsis's ass out of trouble a lot. She is emotional and angry which makes her dangerous. I love her character though. She is becoming my favorite. I am interested to see if Virtue will really ransack the police department. So far, she has been on the fence about violence. Will she cross that line to save Katharsis? Or is this just a threat?

Rating 8/10




So far, this title is off to a great start. As I said before, I love a story that makes you question your morals. This story has a Watchmen/V for Vendetta feel. After reading three issues, I have decided I will definitely be picking this one up every month. 
We are faceless. We are limitless. We see all. And we do not forgive.
Who defends the powerless against the GREEDY and the CORRUPT? Who protects the homeless and poverty-stricken from those who would PREY upon them in the DARK OF NIGHT?
When those who are sworn to protect us abuse their power, when toxic government calls down super-human lackeys to force order upon the populace...finally, there is a force, a citizen’s army, to push order BACK.
Let those who abuse the system know this as well: We have our OWN super humans now. They are not afraid of your badges or Leagues. And they will not be SILENCED.
We are your neighbors. We are your co-workers. And we are your children.
- See more at: http://www.dccomics.com/comics/the-movement-2013/the-movement-1#sthash.UQIge0u1.dpuf
We are faceless. We are limitless. We see all. And we do not forgive.
Who defends the powerless against the GREEDY and the CORRUPT? Who protects the homeless and poverty-stricken from those who would PREY upon them in the DARK OF NIGHT?
When those who are sworn to protect us abuse their power, when toxic government calls down super-human lackeys to force order upon the populace...finally, there is a force, a citizen’s army, to push order BACK.
Let those who abuse the system know this as well: We have our OWN super humans now. They are not afraid of your badges or Leagues. And they will not be SILENCED.
We are your neighbors. We are your co-workers. And we are your children.
- See more at: http://www.dccomics.com/comics/the-movement-2013/the-movement-1#sthash.UQIge0u1.dpuf
We are faceless. We are limitless. We see all. And we do not forgive.
Who defends the powerless against the GREEDY and the CORRUPT? Who protects the homeless and poverty-stricken from those who would PREY upon them in the DARK OF NIGHT?
When those who are sworn to protect us abuse their power, when toxic government calls down super-human lackeys to force order upon the populace...finally, there is a force, a citizen’s army, to push order BACK.
Let those who abuse the system know this as well: We have our OWN super humans now. They are not afraid of your badges or Leagues. And they will not be SILENCED.
We are your neighbors. We are your co-workers. And we are your children.
- See more at: http://www.dccomics.com/comics/the-movement-2013/the-movement-1#sthash.UQIge0u1.dpuf
We are faceless. We are limitless. We see all. And we do not forgive.
Who defends the powerless against the GREEDY and the CORRUPT? Who protects the homeless and poverty-stricken from those who would PREY upon them in the DARK OF NIGHT?
When those who are sworn to protect us abuse their power, when toxic government calls down super-human lackeys to force order upon the populace...finally, there is a force, a citizen’s army, to push order BACK.
Let those who abuse the system know this as well: We have our OWN super humans now. They are not afraid of your badges or Leagues. And they will not be SILENCED.
We are your neighbors. We are your co-workers. And we are your children.
- See more at: http://www.dccomics.com/comics/the-movement-2013/the-movement-1#sthash.UQIge0u1.dpuf
We are faceless. We are limitless. We see all. And we do not forgive.
Who defends the powerless against the GREEDY and the CORRUPT? Who protects the homeless and poverty-stricken from those who would PREY upon them in the DARK OF NIGHT?
When those who are sworn to protect us abuse their power, when toxic government calls down super-human lackeys to force order upon the populace...finally, there is a force, a citizen’s army, to push order BACK.
Let those who abuse the system know this as well: We have our OWN super humans now. They are not afraid of your badges or Leagues. And they will not be SILENCED.
We are your neighbors. We are your co-workers. And we are your children.
- See more at: http://www.dccomics.com/comics/the-movement-2013/the-movement-1#sthash.UQIge0u1.dpuf
We are faceless. We are limitless. We see all. And we do not forgive.
Who defends the powerless against the GREEDY and the CORRUPT? Who protects the homeless and poverty-stricken from those who would PREY upon them in the DARK OF NIGHT?
When those who are sworn to protect us abuse their power, when toxic government calls down super-human lackeys to force order upon the populace...finally, there is a force, a citizen’s army, to push order BACK.
Let those who abuse the system know this as well: We have our OWN super humans now. They are not afraid of your badges or Leagues. And they will not be SILENCED.
We are your neighbors. We are your co-workers. And we are your children.
- See more at: http://www.dccomics.com/comics/the-movement-2013/the-movement-1#sthash.UQIge0u1.dpuf