Fantastic Universes

Batman: The Killing Joke – A Classic Revisited Writer: Alan Moore Artist: Brian Bolland Review by Steve J. Ray Last week, whilst writing a retrospective on the DC Comics work of legendary author Alan Moore , I came to the startling realization that his classic tale "Batman:  The Killing Joke "  will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. That makes me feel both very old, and extremely fortunate. I was there when the book first came out, and own a mint condition copy of the first printing. Before you grab the torches and pitchforks, to hunt down the fake, money hungry fanboy, please let me assure you that this book holds mountains more value to me of the sentimental variety, than the financial kind. I LOVE this story. I love the art, the dialogue, and the emotion. The pace, drama, terror, comedy, and horror. I love every single line of text, and of art, on every single page. This Book’s No Joke As well as containing what many fan...

“No Justice” – Part 2 Writers: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Joshua Williamson Artists: Francis Manapul & Marcus To Review by Adam Ray With the sudden loss of Brainiac at the end of the first issue, the large team of heroes and villains are all on an alien world, wondering what the plan is. The art choices by Francis Manapul and Marcus To give a big, Hollywood, apocalyptic feel – the wide, double pages with loud colours from Hi-Fi really draw the reader in. The cinematic atmosphere comes in on full power when Lex Luthor, of all people, gives us a Braveheart level speech, and the teams all agree to follow his plan. We finally get to see the lineups of the teams that Brainiac intended. I admit, I should have guessed some of them from the covers of issues one and two, but I like being sure. With the energy they’re all trying to contain, it’s clear to see why they fit together, which is another thing I love about the writing team on  No Justice . I said in my review fo...

“The Brave and The Bold”  Parts 1-4 Writer: Liam Sharp Artists: Liam Sharp & Romulo Fajardo Jr Review by Adam Ray I’m into the fantasy genre like bats are into belfries. When  The Brave And The Bold , with DC heroes traversing Celtic moors, appeared, I had to have it. I only discovered the mini-series featuring Batman and Wonder Woman teaming up in the distant realm of Tir Na Nóg just a week ago...  I got myself caught up immediately. From the start, you’re drawn in by the beautiful artistic vision of Liam Sharp. At first glance the images look like illustrations from out of a classic by C.S. Lewis, yet looking closer, the details beat you over the head. The twisting forests and floating structures when Wonder Woman is led through the portals between worlds just pulls you through with her. The first few scenes with Batman in the cave clearly show color artist Romulo Fajardo’s great choices, with the green hues over the contorted computers Batman works...

“No Justice” – Part One Writers: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV & Joshua Williamson Artists: Francis Manapul & Hi-Fi Review by Adam Ray The Source Wall; an ancient astral barrier protecting the wider multiverse from us, and us from it, has been broken . Ancient and enormous threats are coming from out of the dark, and in this issue of No Justice, Brainiac says our heroes aren’t doing their jobs right... w hat? I’m a firm believer that people should learn from their mistakes. I appreciate any help someone wants to give me, and I listen closely. Usually, they tell me to tighten my grammar, or see what I could have done differently. Most mentors do not use simple mathematics to defeat my friends and I in battle. The issue starts with all of our favourite teams getting beaten badly, while everyone’s beloved shady politician and war criminal, Amanda Waller watches from castle of computer screens. Brainy takes our heroes, and some unexpected villains, to see an entity hu...