Posts: 1099 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Joined: 29.07.05
Posted on 12-07-2007 13:43
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #7
Written by Michael Green
Art and Cover by Denys Cowan and John Floyd
Edited by Mike Carlin
PLOT:
What kind of person becomes a Joker? What kind of person will become Batman's greatest nemesis; The Joker? In this new 6-part arc, who the Joker was before he became the Joker, and how he and Batman crossed paths even before the day he was created are revealed.
REVIEW:
When "Rules of Engagement" started, I saw it as a good arc. Couple issues later, I realized it wasn't. The story, art, all showed to me that the arc wasn't at all a good one. So after the final issue of that arc, I was left with a bad taste. So much that I wasn't sure if I was going to continue the series, even the next arc that was getting buzz. But at my comic shop, fate must've made me buy it. A took a chance, so let's check out the first part of the arc featuring pre-Joker Joker.
Hmm, well even though I'm still keeping cautious because this does remind me of how "Rules of Engagement" started, this issue does hold promise for the whole arc. The storyline promises to be the retelling of Joker's origin, by starting with the man before the accident. I don't know if many people are going to like this one bit, but this is going to replace Alan Moore's "The Killing Joke". I'm not saying it's me wanting it to be the case, I strongly believe it is from the story. I have read The Killing Joke and it is pretty obvious that this wouldn't work at all as a prequel to that book. Things are different; Jack (The pre-Joker Joker) is a criminal already instead of getting into becoming one of the bad guys by force or accident. So this is replacing The Killing Joke. I don't know if many are going to like that, since many do like The Killing Joke. But this is New Earth, after all.
One of the things to out is Batman. Well of course, before I get to Jack. At this point in the story, Bruce Wayne has been Batman for 42 weeks. He considers everything to be working fine. Now this has been said before, in Mark Wagner's Batman and the Monster Men, where he said that his work was so perfect that he actually thought his war was going to end, no more crime in Gotham. That, of course, changed with Hugo Strange. I guess it'll be the same for this storyline. Also, there is another comparison to Monster Men, as Bruce feels so happy about what he is doing that he asks and likely wants a relationship with a new girl named Lorna Shore. Just like Julie Madison in Monster Men. This also has to take place prior to the end of Year One as Batman & Gordon aren't friends, as Gordon stills wants to arrest him. Also, Batman gives out how his skills and equipment had evolved since he started to this point (with a special cameo by the Tumbler from Batman Begins), but something a bit bugged me. There is no panel, and the only panel, to show Batman with his classic yellow oval bat symbol. I wonder if that was a mistake, or a bit of "he tried it once, didn't seem to work at that time, only to use it again later on". I doubt that will be cleared up, but anyway that's Batman in this story.
Now, for Jack. Jack in this story is different than what he was in The Killing Joke. As I said, this seems to be replacing Alan Moore's take on Joker's origin. Jack is presented as a criminal who pulls off the greatness in now considered bland crimes such as bank robberies. But he is depressed, as he doesn't have any excitement. That's why there is a point in the scene where he trips the alarm on purpose just to increase his exciting mood on the robbery. The scenes with Jack represents why I like prequels and origin stories. Smallville and the Star Wars Prequels are clear examples. For something gets mentioned, that isn't quite a big deal, but you know where it will greatly lead into. For there is one scene where Jack is in the bar and he is talking to a psychologist student who has blonde hair, whom he takes a liking towards. While she isn't her, it does leave a mark for Harley Quinn later on as Joker's henchwoman. I wonder if these changes have anything to do with Joker's upcoming appearance in the new The Dark Knight. It might be, even Joker in that movie will not be The Killing Joke-based.
Overall, while I'm keeping cautious, this issue was a good one for a promised arc. The storyline itself is replacing The Killing Joke as Joker's origin. It is clear that that's what they are doing. So I guess many fans of Alan Moore will hate this. But this has to be something related to the upcoming The Dark Knight. The writing was good, even for a newcomer, and dialogue was funny at times. The art isn't grabbing me, but it wasn't as bad as the previous arc. That's all for this issue, and I guess I will be continuing this series.
RATING: 3.5/5
Next Issue: Batman crosses paths once again with the man who will become The Joker.
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 Confidential 7-12 "Lovers and Madmen" arc
Posts: 726 Location: The Shadow Of St Albans Abbey Joined: 28.07.06
Posted on 19-07-2007 16:39
I've got to say, even though the art is still slightly taxing (although nowhere as trying as the first 6 issues), I've just really enjoyed reading this. Some minor drawbacks, but on the whole I'm very pleased with it.
Like Nate (and Darknight) I was pleased the previous story came to its conclusion. It seemed to be doing everyones head in. I was going to bin this title, and I only bought this because of the Joker Begins element to it.
The whole Bruce/Lorna meeting was a bit corny, but still enjoyable. The Mr J/Leeny scene was wonderful. Simple, well trodden, but wonderful nonetheless. A whole page of it was set against a sort of Two-Face tribute backdrop (nice touch).
The art/look of this title (or specificially this title's characters) really must be some sort of DC directive. Its a different artist, and although not as pronounced, Batman still has a sort of vermin/ratface thing going on. Thats not so good (but like I said, not as bad as first 6 issues).
There's a scene in which Batman is trying out new toys, and although he only leaves his victims with "concussion", the actuality of what he's doing would most likely leave the villian stone cold dead. Deliberate or not (I think it probably was), that was a great tip of the cap to a certain Bob Kane. Also included were nice salutes to both Conan Doyle and Edgar Allan Poe.
I liked the Batmobile too.
After the 1st story, I'd have to agree it's a time for cautious optimisn, but on this issue, I'd go to 4.5. Based on it's art I'd considered dropping that back to 4, but that would do justice to the writing and scene setting. Definitely recommended.
Author
RE: Batman Confidential 7-12 "Lovers and Madmen" arc
Posts: 1099 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Joined: 29.07.05
Posted on 12-08-2007 14:57
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #8
Written by Michael Green
Art and Cover by Denys Cowan and John Floyd
Edited by Mike Carlin
PLOT:
Batman crosses paths once again with the punk who will become his deadliest foe — The Joker — in a Gotham City that seems to be increasingly more deadly and psychotic.
REVIEW:
After the first arc, I wasn't sure about grabbing a hold of another arc of Batman Confidential. Because of the first arc became a let down at the second half, I didn't want to see that all over again with another arc. But through some things, I ended up getting part 1 of this second arc and I liked it. So I decided, since I automatically started, that I will continue the series. But still, I'am cautious.
This issue felt very good, still keeping cautious though as I said, but I liked the issue here. It is very obvious that this will replace Alan Moore's The Killing Joke, but despite that, that book will remain a classic to me and others who have read and loved it. But this arc seems to be showing its sign as a very good arc about how the Joker became who he is, and like many others, its because of Batman. The fact that this guy says he has had a dull life, and became a great one because of this one man in a costume does bring in that concept of the Joker as he has had that obsession with Batman in everything from comics to media. So the fact that this issue, and hopefully this arc, deals with that in a new way make it a neat read. I know this paragraph is usually my reaction one and the picks are after, but oh well.
Overall, this issue was neat. Fun, it was fun. I'am still being cautious, but if a story is fun and good, then I won't suppress it because of my bad feeling from the last arc. I like the whole Batman having a very tough time figuring out this guy, really is what I believe Batman will go through in The Dark Knight. The one page Bruce and Lorna scene also make same think of Bruce and Rachael in TDK, as well as what will happen to Lorna at the end of this. From the ending in this issue, we shall see.
RATING: 3.5/5
Next Issue: Bruce new love is the next target!
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 Confidential 7-12 "Lovers and Madmen" arc
Posts: 1099 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Joined: 29.07.05
Posted on 17-09-2007 23:24
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #9
Written by Michael Green
Art and Cover by Denys Cowan and John Floyd
Edited by Mike Carlin
PLOT:
Before he was the Joker, he and Batman crossed paths… just how responsible is Batman for what he becomes? The joke may be on all of Gotham City when Batman crosses a line very early in his career as the Dark Knight.
REVIEW:
Last time, the previous issue set the promise for a very good arc for a storyline replacing The Killing Joke as Joker's origin. The writing was good, even for a newcomer, and dialogue was funny at times. The art wasn't grabbing me, but it wasn't as bad as the previous arc. And now, we're at the third part of this arc and now, let's take a look.
So the goodness of this arc continues here yet again, I don't remember if this was the case with the third part of "Rules of Engagement". The new Joker origin here has bits of surprises; some of them actually go to the Nolan Batman universe, continuing our theories that these have some sort of connection. Batman is really pushed, after Lorna takes a turn for the worse after Jack stabbed her, to the point where he says "only evil can stop it" (it being Jack) and tells one of Jack's enemies from #7 where to find him. Giving the idea that because of Lorna dying, he might have stepped over the line. The next thing is that Batman gets help on Jack on Jonathan Crane, in his pre-Scarecrow form where he even mentions wanting to improve Arkham Asylum for a "new kind of criminal". Another connection to the Nolan Batman universe and I guess Joker will be the ticket to that improvement. So this issue was good. Drama, and Batman uses a batarang to slice up jack's face. And you know what? That's a connection The Dark Knight as now; Jack's scars make him smile bigger. He is close into becoming you know who.
Overall, this issue included fan moment bits between the comic and the new movie universes with Joker, Batman, and the small role from Dr. Crane, with drama between Bruce and Lorna. The ending will keep people guessing. As this set up for the next issue builds to the Joker!
RATING: 4/5
Next Issue: The Joker is born!
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 Confidential 7-12 "Lovers and Madmen" arc
Posts: 1099 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Joined: 29.07.05
Posted on 16-10-2007 00:28
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #10
Written by Michael Green
Art and Cover by Denys Cowan and John Floyd
Edited by Mike Carlin
PLOT:
This is where it happens: the birth of the Joker! Discover exactly what Batman's involvement was in the creation of unfettered evil!
REVIEW:
Last issue included fan moment bits between the comic book and the Nolan-Batman universes from Joker, Batman, and the small role from Dr. Crane. The ending kept people guessing as because of Lorna's fatal attack, Batman wants the gangs to go after Joker. I wanted to see what was next and now here is #10:
This is very controversial: Batman orders a hit on our pre-Joker and his gang. When you talk about Batman, he has NEVER taken down his oath to not kill someone. Even if this is a younger Batman, the oath would still apply. I'm not talking about Golden Age/Kane-Finger Batman, who killed people in every issue; this is Batman after that, Batman TODAY. Is this because he was pushed because of Lorna? Because he was having a huge hard time figuring out this guy? It would make some sense for me to be ticked, like later in his life, but he had NEVER even said "I'll gonna kill him". Unless you consider Frank Miller's version in The Dark Knight Returns, Batman has never wanted or even tried to cross the line to actually killing someone. How the writers got away is beyond me, but that is something I just couldn't wrap my head around.
The other thing that happens in this issue, that in turn Batman feels guilty for (rightfully so), is our pre-Joker becomes The Joker in this issue. That will be it.
Overall, this issue was good in that pre-Joker became The Joker. But everything else is filled with "why" and "what the hell were they thinking?” As the fourth part out of this six-parter; the first three were good and now this falls badly. I'm having thoughts of "Rules of Engagement" once more. Please, don't let this arc became a repeat of that crap!
RATING: 2/5
Next Issue: How far will Batman go?
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 Confidential 7-12 "Lovers and Madmen" arc
so this arc finally came to an end this wk, after the long delayed #12 was finally released. on a sidentoe it was a bit weird to read somethng featuring the joker and his beginnings given the recent news. as for the issue itself, its a shame but i think it not only ends this arc but my interest in buying anymore batman confidential issues at least not for a long while. i was excited when a new bat-comic was announced, but the first arc with lex luthor was rather disappointing to me, and while this one with the joker was a bit better it still wasnt anything special in my opinon. so until some big news comes out of confidential, i think ill pass.
BATMAN: Yesterday, Today, & Beyond, all of it's sub-sites, or hosted sites are in no way associated, or affiliated with DC Comics, Time Warner or any of it's divisions.
Items cataloged in merchandise sections are not for sale. The downloading of video game ROMs is for backup and testing purposes only. If you do not own the actual game, the ROM is to be deleted from your hard drive within 24 hours.
Any money that may be made from Amazon Associates, advertisements, or affiliate programs will be contributed to the maintaining of this website, to provide the fans with the best that we can offer.
Home
