Tag Chip Zdarsky

A Batman #133 Micro-Review – Alfred With a Sword?

Rob Siebert Leave a comment

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

Batman 133, cover, March 2023, Jorge JimenezTITLE: Batman #133
AUTHOR: Chip Zdarsky
ARTISTS: Mike Hawthorne, Adriano Di Benedetto (Inker), Tomeu Morey (Colorist), Clayton Cowles (Letterer), Miguel Mendona, Roman Stevens (Colorist). Cover by Jorge Jimenez.
RELEASED: March 7, 2023

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Does Alfred have a sword on that cover? Uh, why? I mean, he doesn’t wield a sword in the issue…

I go hot and cold on this  “The Bat-Man of Gotham” story. Some months I’m into it, some months I’m not. The art is fine. But from a story perspective, I’m waiting for something to really pique my interest, and thus far I haven’t seen it.

I found myself wishing the Tim Drake back-up got a little more page time. Or at least this segment of the story with Toyman.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

A Daredevil #8 Micro-Review – Ninja Clans and a Dragon

Rob Siebert Leave a comment

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

Daredevil 8, cover, February 2023, Marco Checchetto, Matthew WilsonTITLE: Daredevil #8
AUTHOR: Chip Zdarsky
ARTISTS: Marco Checchetto, Matthew Wilson & Erick Arciniega (Colorists), Clayton Cowles (Letterer)
RELEASED: February 8, 2023

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Visually, this issue is stunning. We get a big battle between our good and evil ninja clans, complete with a dragon for some reason. We’ve got beautifully rendered rain and a blood red sky for a big fight akin to something you’d see in 300 or The Lord of the Rings.

This series has me hyped for the inevitable confrontation between Daredevil and the Avengers. It’s coming, and I’ve got a strong sense it’s going to be awesome.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

A Batman #132 Micro-Review – “In Any World, I Love Her”

Rob Siebert Leave a comment

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

Batman 132, cover, February 2023, Jorge JimenezTITLE: Batman #132
AUTHOR: Chip Zdarsky
ARTISTS: Mike Hawthorne, Adriano Di Benedetto (Inker), Tomeu Morey (Colorist), Clayton Cowles (Letterer). Cover by Jorge Jimenez.
RELEASED: February 7, 2023

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

I don’t necessarily notice this kind of thing often. But that red dress Selina’s wearing in this issue? Killer.

Bruce has a great line about her, too. He’s in an alternate universe, and sees this alternate version of Selina. He thinks to himself, “In any world, I love her.” Beautiful.

I’m starting to get into one of the central ideas of this “The Bat-Man of Gotham” story: An older Bruce Wayne forming his Batman identity again with all his memories from his old life intact. To an extent, he’s getting a chance to start over as Batman. I’m intrigued.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

A Daredevil #7 Micro-Review – Hobo Daredevil?

Rob Siebert Leave a comment

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

TITLE: Daredevil #7
AUTHOR: Chip Zdarsky
ARTISTS: Rafael De Latorre, Marco Checchetto, Elizabetta D’Amico (Inker), Matthew Wilson (Colorist), Clayton Cowles (Letterer). Cover by Checchetto & Wilson.
RELEASED: January 11, 2023

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

The jury is out for me on on Daredevil’s bearded look. His costume has a hood these days, and it sometimes makes him look like “Hobo Daredevil.” Not that a hobo couldn’t kick ass, of course…

So does the Punisher not use guns anymore? I’m pretty behind on Frank Castle’s business, as I’m not his biggest fan. But I like that he’s using swords instead of guns. Gun’s are a coward’s weapon. There, I said it.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

A Daredevil #6 Micro-Review – Elektra vs. Iron Man

Rob Siebert Leave a comment

**This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

Daredevil 6, cover, December 2022, Marco Checchetto, Matthew WilsonTITLE: Daredevil #6
AUTHOR: Chip Zdarsky
ARTISTS: Rafael De Latorre, Matthew Wilson (Colorist), Clayton Cowles (Letterer). Cover by Marco Checchetto & Wilson.

RELEASED: December 7, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Elektra has a little dust-up with Iron Man in this issue, at of all places, the White House. As one might imagine, things escalate quickly. Fun stuff.

There’s also a really insightful multi-page exchange between Matt and Bullet, where the former explains what he’s trying to do with the Fist, and their more compassionate take on society. It’s a great exchange in that it makes you want to root for Matt, while also feeling for him as he takes on something so large. This might be the strongest issue of this series yet.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

A Batman #130 Micro-Review – When Batman Fell to Earth

Rob Siebert Leave a comment

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

Batman 130, cover, December 2022, Jorge JimenezTITLE: Batman #130
AUTHOR: Chip Zdarsky
ARTISTS: Jorge Jimenez, Leonardo Romero, Tomeu Morey (Colorist), Jordie Bellaire (Colorist), Clayton Cowles (Letterer)

RELEASED: December 6, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

This issue kicks off with one of the more dramatic examples of comic book science I’ve seen in recent memory: Batman falling to Earth from the moon. As in, he survives a fast and fiery entry into Earth’s atmosphere wearing nothing but the Batsuit and a breathmask. Offensive? Not necessarily. But enough to take me out of the issue.

On the other hand, Zdarsky’s “I Am a Gun” back-up ends on a fantastic note. Now that is how you stick a landing, folks.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

A Daredevil #5 Micro-Review – “…He Wouldn’t Have Sent the Devil.”

Rob Siebert Leave a comment

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

Daredevil 5, cover, November 2022, Marco ChecchettoTITLE: Daredevil #5
AUTHOR: Chip Zdarsky
ARTISTS: Marco Checchetto, Matthew Wilson (Colorist), Clayton Cowles (Letterer)

RELEASED: November 23, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Daredevil tells an opponent in this issue that if they were right with God, “…He wouldn’t have sent the devil.” That’s a great action movie kind of line.

The way Marco Checchetto draws Elektra’s hair is…quaint. It looks good, but it also looks like she’s perpetually underwater.

Generally speaking, though, this is a beautifully drawn and colored issue. We see some beautiful renderings of the snow-capped mountains surrounding the Hand’s HQ. We also get a fight between Daredevil and someone we recently met in the MCU that’s got some nice grit to it.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

A Batman #129 Micro-Review – Man Against Machine

Rob Siebert Leave a comment

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

Batman 129, cover, 2022, Jorge JimenezTITLE: Batman #129
AUTHOR: Chip Zdarsky
ARTISTS: Jorge Jimenez, Leonardo Romero, Tomeu Morey (Colorist), Jordie Bellaire (Colorist) Clayton Cowles (Letterer)

RELEASED: November 1, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

I was a little more into Chip Zdarsky’s “Failsafe” story this month. I think that’s because we’ve gotten to the point in the story where it’s just Batman against this killer robot. All the various sidekicks, apprentices, and Justice Leaguers are neutralized.  It’s strictly man against machine now.

But the “I Am a Gun” back-up feature continues to outshine the main story as far as I’m concerned. I’m not a huge fan of how the Joker is drawn on these pages. But other than that, it’s gotten very interesting very quickly.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

A Daredevil #4 Micro-Review – A Violent Milestone

Rob Siebert Leave a comment

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

Daredevil 4, cover, 2022, Marco Checchetto, Matthew WilsonTITLE: Daredevil #4
AUTHOR: Chip Zdarsky
ARTISTS: Rafael De Latorre, Matthew Wilson (Colorist), Clayton Cowles (Letterer). Cover by Marco Checchetto & Wilson.

RELEASED: October 12, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Word is already out about what happens with Matt Murdock and Elektra Natchios in this issue. I won’t spoil it by coming out and outright saying it. But I will say that, while it could have come off really hokey, this milestone manages to feel very true to both characters. They’re in their element. And hey, they even have matching costumes!

Zdarsky has also succeeded in making Matt and Elektra’s taking over of the Hand feel like the start of something big. Despite not being a Daredevil die-hard, this book has my attention…

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.

A Batman #128 Micro-Review – Zur-En-Arrh: Year One?

Rob Siebert Leave a comment

***This is where we keep it nice and simple. Comic book reviews in 100 words or less. Straight, concise, and to the point.***

Batman 128, cover, 2022, Jorge JimenezTITLE: Batman #128
AUTHOR: Chip Zdarsky
ARTISTS: Jorge Jimenez, Leonardo Romero, Tomeu Morey (Colorist), Jordie Bellaire (Colorist), Clayton Cowles (Letterer)

RELEASED: October 4, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Since he took the wheel on Batman, Chip Zdarsky’s back-up stories have been particularly strong. So much so that I’ve actually enjoyed them more than the main features. For the last few months we had a tale centered around Catwoman. This month begins “I Am a Gun,” which takes us back to the origin of the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh.

Leonardo Romero and Jordie Bellaire’s art is what really make it stand out for me. It reminds me quite a bit of what Robin: Year One and Batgirl: Year One looked like. That’s to say, it’s great work.

Email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com, or check us out on Twitter.