Print thread view Batman YTB - Fansite For Batman Comics, Toys, Figures, News and more! | GOTHAM BOOK CLUB | Batman Comics & Other Publications Author Batman 667-669 Batmen of All Nations "Island of Mister Mayhew" arc ARC/REVIEW COMPLETED Nate Posts: 1099 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Joined: 29.07.05 Posted on 09-08-2007 23:44 BATMAN #667 Written by Grant Morrison Art and Cover by J.H. Williams III Edited by Peter Tomasi & Mike Marts PLOT: The Batmen of All Nations reunite for a weekend of fine food and nostalgia, but an unexpected visitor has other plans for the gathering. REVIEW: When it was first solicited, I was instantly interested in the next story arc by Grant Morrison as well as this team called the "Batmen of All Nations". If you don't know who this team is, the Batmen of All Nations is a superhero group with each member based in many nations, all inspired by Batman. Giving Batman the same two types of teams Superman has: Superman started the JLA and his inspiration led to the Legion of Superheroes, and Batman created the Outsiders with the Batmen of All Nations filled with those who used his inspiration. This very old group appeared in Detective Comics #215 in 1955, but the history altering effects from Crisis on Infinite Earths recreated them as inspired by the JSA, not Batman, and calling themselves The Dome aka the Global Guardians. But some appeared in the Mark Waid/Alex Ross Kingdom Come mini-series. Now, thanks to Grant Morrison, they're back. Let's go see! As the first of a three-part storyline, this issue was really good. It is a set up issue, but why wouldn't it be? There are many who don't know who these guys in the Batmen of All Nations are so why not introduce them to the readers who don't know them? The story with this issue does give the feeling that it will be like a cheesy horror film with Batman and Morrison's writing. I don't mind. I have been told that this issue does give out a vibe to the best known comic book series Watchmen. Sadly, I have not read that classic series but from what I've heard from that book, it does give out a similar vibe. The death at the end that sets up the characters for the rest of this three-parter is much like how the death in the first issue of Watchmen sets up the rest of the book. Also, the use of splash page with the gloved hand gave me the vibe of old '60s images from England like from what I remember from The Beatle "Yellow Submarine". Also from the '60s, the title card is a direct homage to the '60s Batman show. So this was a really good issue. The issue, going back to the notion that no one may know who the Batmen of All Nations is does a good job at bringing in who the members of the group are. You have The Legionary, The Knight & The Squire, Raven Red, Dark Ranger, The Gaucho, Man of Bats and Wingman. But it also talks about what happened to them since. Legionary is now a fat slob, and is the one who dies at the end of this book, The original Knight died and his original sidekick Squire is now the new Knight with a new Squire, Gaucho has become a serious and respected hero of Argentinean, and there's Wingman who doesn't think Batman is "the" creator of the Bat image and that he says he started before Batman did. For some, it might be enough, and the opposite for others. But either way, I'm ready for these guys. Overall, this issue was a set up issue but it was a really good issue. The Batmen of All Nations have their post-Infinite Crisis introduction and it’s a back to basics approach, because Morrison is writing. The Black Glove is an unseen villain and I'm wondering why is he doing this (to be figured out later) and the use of making it like Batman & Robin starring in a almost cheesy horror flick is neat. RATING: 3.5/5 Next Issue: Batman, Robin and the Batmen of All Nations are stuck on an island rigged with everything like traps! You don't get it, boy... this isn't a mudhole... it's an operating table. (crack!) And I'm the surgeon. - Batman - The Dark Knight Returns Edited by Nate on 28-09-2007 11:35 Author RE: Batman 667-669 Batmen of All Nations "Island of Mister Mayhew" arc Nate Posts: 1099 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Joined: 29.07.05 Posted on 26-08-2007 00:05 BATMAN #668 Written by Grant Morrison Art and Cover by J.H. Williams III Edited by Mike Marts PLOT: Batman, Robin and the Club of Heroes are stuck on an island rigged with elaborate death traps. And even as the villain behind it all begins to explain his twisted motives, he continues to pick the heroes off one by one. REVIEW: Last issue was a good set up issue for this three parter. The Batmen of All Nations have their post-Infinite Crisis introduction and it’s a back to basics approach, because Morrison is writing. And I enjoyed the members that made up the BoAN (Batmen of All Nations for short), and the unseen villain by the name of The Black Glove is someone that I'm wondering why is he doing the crimes. This arc somehow made me think "cheesy horror flick", and maybe that's what made it neat. I want more and here we go with part 2! This is looking to be a very, enjoyable arc, despite its only just three issues. The horror movie aspect continues where if you think you know where this is going, you're stopped and proven wrong. The dialogue was right on, and the art is very good. J.H. Williams is doing a wonderful job with the art on these characters. Someone pointed out that the scene with the robot knights is a clear reference to Batman #172. It's great that Morrison made a reference to such an old comic, but since the beginning of his arc he's been adding in retro, classic ideas. So while I'm glad, yet figured. This was a very good issue. One of the things here is the "who did it?". It clearly has to be one of the BoAN. I mean many, and me, are saying Dark Ranger is the impostor. Maybe they're right, although I have this feeling that it could be Wingman. All of these guys are arguing over one another to be the killer, but it also has something to do with them and the dark memories they all have, that are colliding anytime they argue. So while the villain wasn't revealed, the men we are seeing are all suspects. Except for Batman & Robin, of course. Overall, this was enjoyable. Morrison is doing a fine job with the horror movie aspect and I'm ready for the last one of this three parter about the Batmen of All Nations. The "who did it?" question is killing me. RATING: 4/5 Next Issue: The finale to the three part storyline on the Batmen of All Nations! You don't get it, boy... this isn't a mudhole... it's an operating table. (crack!) And I'm the surgeon. - Batman - The Dark Knight Returns Author RE: Batman 667-669 Batmen of All Nations "Island of Mister Mayhew" arc Darknight Posts: 1010 Location: NW Arkansas Joined: 26.06.05 Posted on 14-09-2007 09:52 I was not really familiar with the Pre-COIE Batmen of All Nations, but this has been a pretty fun story. The classic mystery feel of the story is great. I was hesitant at first when they did the Black Glove splash page, but it actually fits well into the story' vibe. Unfortunately I have a bad feeling that the ending will be pretty weak. There are only so many ways that the story could go with the isolation, but we'll have to wait and see. The art alone is worth the cover price. Williams does a great job of using darkness. The shot where Batman sneaks up behind the Knight was great. Author RE: Batman 667-669 Batmen of All Nations "Island of Mister Mayhew" arc Nate Posts: 1099 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Joined: 29.07.05 Posted on 28-09-2007 11:35 BATMAN #669 Written by Grant Morrison Art and Cover by J.H. Williams III Edited by Peter Tomasi & Mike Marts PLOT: The conclusion to the 3-part story by Grant Morrison and J.H. Williams III as Batman's reunion with the Club of Heroes turns into a deathtrap as Robin and the Squire are kidnapped by the Black Glove! REVIEW: For two for two, #668 was again an issue I liked. Very enjoyable. Morrison did a fine job with the horror movie aspect and I was ready for the last part of this three parter. The "who did it?" question was killing me, and now it won't anymore. With the finale in my hands, let's check out #669 To tell you the truth, maybe it was the fact that I still wasn't familiar with these characters, or that it had been some time since #668, but I almost found myself confused on who was who and what the hell was going on. Once I got my self passed on that, I focused on the issue again for my review. Morrison did very well in this ending to the three parter. Since many, like me, have said this is much like a horror film, this continues throughout the end of this issue. The race for our heroes to get to the boat before the island explodes, what more could you ask for? Part of the confusion dealt with the reveal of who was the bad guy(s) behind it all. It turned that it was Wingman behind the killings, with him being set up by Mayhew who had contact with the Black Glove. So who everyone figured it was was right on the money. Black Glove, however, was never revealed. So we don't know who or what he is nor his relation to the Batmen of All Nations. I guess Grant is saving that for another time. Either that or it was something just for this story. Overall, this was a nice finale to the three part arc featuring the Batmen of All Nations. Everyone who figured who done it were right and the mystery was solved. All except for one; who was Black Glove. The horror movie aspect continues and concludes and the art was fantastic. Everything fit well. RATING: 4/5 Next Issue: "The Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul" begins! You don't get it, boy... this isn't a mudhole... it's an operating table. (crack!) And I'm the surgeon. - Batman - The Dark Knight Returns Author RE: Batman 667-669 Batmen of All Nations "Island of Mister Mayhew" arc ARC/REVIEW COMPLETE Darknight Posts: 1010 Location: NW Arkansas Joined: 26.06.05 Posted on 28-09-2007 12:04 Between the two arcs that Morrison has done, this was definitely the better. The Whodunit part of the storyline was a little weak since it seems like most detective stories use the old the killer was killed in the first few moments of the story so no one can suspect that it is actually him (that sentance doesn't make sense to me either). Overall this was far superior to the Batman and Son story. I'm interested in seeing where Morrison goes with this Black Glove guy. Maybe he will team up with Black Mask, and form the Black Accessory League. Future issues will probably tell. The Ressurection of Ra's al Ghul has been a long time coming since they never really did anything with Nyssa, but I am more interested in the return to seperate stories after the crossover.