Fantastic Universes

“Gotham Games” Writer/Artist: Bernard Chang Colors: Marcelo Maiolo Review by Steve J. Ray This issue gives us a flashback tale with a difference. I’ve never made it a secret as to how big a fan I am of the beautiful art of Bernard Chang.  Batman Beyond  #13 “Gotham Games” highlights his writing talents too! Is there anything this man’s  not  good at? The story sees the recently returned Terry McGinnis battle his old enemy Shriek, and a new antagonist Hacker, while all he wants to do is catch his brother’s Tri-Ball game! I thoroughly enjoyed this issue, it was great fun. Mr. Chang has very cleverly structured the tale, so that it can be read in a number of different ways. Apart from the splash pages, each page is split horizontally into three, with each strip furthering a different side of the story. I first read the book as a single comic, before going back and re-reading each strip separately. The cool thing is, both ways work! The top third tells u...

“Batwomen Beyond” Writers: Vita Ayala & Steve Orlando Artists: Siya Oum, Dexter Vines & Tony Aviña Review by Steve J. Ray Holy futuristic interlude, Batman! The ladies have taken over the comic-book… and how! Welcome to  Batman  Batwomen Beyond. With both Terry McGinnis and Bruce Wayne in far off Nanda Parbat, recovering from the epic “Rise Of The Demon”, protecting the citizens of Neo Gotham falls to the new Dynamic Duo of Batgirl and Max. The future Batgirl, known only as Nissa, began her crimefighting career at the tender age of 15, back in  Batman Beyond  (vol. 1) #27 (July 2013). She also starred in the 3 issue story “Batgirl Beyond” ( Batman Beyond Unlimited  #18) and in the  Batman Beyond: Batgirl Beyond  trade paperback (collecting  Batman Beyond  #19-29 – digital chapters – and  Batman Beyond  #1-2). She was created by writer Scott Peterson and artist Annie Wu. Little else is kno...

“Fall Of The Batmen” Part One. Writer: James Tynion IV Art: Joe Bennett, Sal Regla, Jason Wright and Sal Cipriano Review by Steve J. Ray New issue, new story arc, and an all-new art team.  Detective Comics #969 is fresh as a daisy! The first chapter of ‘Fall Of The Batmen’  does , however, contain the  Detective Comics  staple ingredient… all round excellence. This issue sees the villains of Gotham City unite, as a direct response to Batman’s Gotham Knights. There are some vintage 90s baddies in the mix, which really put a nostalgic smile on my face. James Tynion IV also brings back another character from this era, in Gotham’s new Mayor. The villains part isn’t really a spoiler, as the alternate cover on this page shows. DC’s preview pages reveal the new Mayor, so I’ll let you form your own opinions when you see who it is. Mr. Tynion is a master at shining a spotlight on characters from his – and my – era of Batman. It’s brilliant when cast members t...

“Rise Of The Demon,” Part Five Writing: Dan Jurgens Art: Bernard Chang & Marcelo Maiolo Review by Steve J. Ray Batman’s sons are in the fight of their lives. Can Bruce Wayne stop them from destroying each other? At the end of  Batman Beyond  #9  Damian Wayne was set to land the killing blow in Terry McGinnis, “Rise Of The Demon,” Part Five picks up the action from exactly where we left off. I love the way that Dan Jurgens connects everything from this possible future, to the continuity of today. His Damian Wayne is definitely the same character created by Grant Morrison, and developed by a host of DC Comics’ finest writers and artists. Seeing this version of Damian harks back to his original persona, and also makes us, as readers, fear for the fate of the heroic Robin of today. The murderous Boy Wonder, heir of Ra’s Al Ghul, may not be gone, after all. Blood Brothers As always, the art of Bernard...