Tag Michael W. Conrad

A Batgirls #16 Micro-Review – Puppet Nightmare Fuel

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

Batgirls 16, cover, March 2023, Jorge Corona, Sarah SternTITLE: Batgirls #16
AUTHORS: Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad
ARTISTS:  Neil Googe, Geraldo Borges (Finishes), Rico Renzi (Colorist), Becca Carey (Letterer). Cover by Jorge Corona & Sarah Stern.
RELEASED: March 14, 2023

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

This issue serves up some nightmare fuel in the form of robot puppets made up to look like the extended Batman family. Most of them are in classic costumes too. So the book gets some added fanboy cred there.

Neil Googe draws a pretty awesome Mad  Hatter. Neil Googe draws a lot of things pretty awesome. This is a really strong issue for him.

Has there ever been a Girl-Bat, i.e. a young female version of Man-Bat? Why do I ask? Oh, no reason…

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

A Batgirls #15 Micro-Review – An Essential Stephanie Brown Issue

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

Batgirls 15, cover, February 2023, Jorge Corona, Sarah SternTITLE: Batgirls #15
AUTHORS: Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad
ARTISTS:  Neil Googe, Rico Renzi (Colorist), Frank Cvetkovic (Letterer). Cover by Jorge Corona & Sarah Stern. 
RELEASED: February 14, 2023

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

This is one of the better issues you’ll ever read about Stephanie Brown and her father, the Cluemaster. If they ever make a collection of essential Stephanie stories, this one should be included. It’s that strong. My hat’s off to Cloonan and Conrad for delivering the goods, and to Googe and Renzi for delivering on the drama and heart.

The centerpiece of this series is, as it should be, the friendship between our main characters, Stephanie and Cassandra. That’s one of the notes this issue ends on, and it really sticks the landing.

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

A Batgirls #14 Micro-Review – No Words…

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.***

Batgirls 14, cover, January 2023, Jorge Corona, Sarah SternTITLE: Batgirls #14
AUTHORS: Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad
ARTISTS: Jonathan Case. Cover by Jorge Corona & Sarah Stern. 
RELEASED: January 17, 2023

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

This might be the overall strongest issue Batgirls has produced. That largely has to do with Jonathan Case, who’s a one-man artistic force of nature.

It’s also about the way this issue is written. For most of it, there’s no dialogue. Which is fitting, as we spend the whole thing with the typically silent Cassandra Cain. Case masterfully shows her being stealthy, doing her thing, etc.

But the issue eventually dives into the core of Cass’ friendship with Stephanie Brown. It’s beautifully written, and downright touching. A tremendous series of pages for both Cass and Steph.

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

A Batgirls #13 Micro-Review – A One-Man Show

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.***

Batgirls 13, cover, December 2022, Jorge Corona, Sarah SternTITLE: Batgirls #13
AUTHORS: Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad
ARTISTS: Jonathan Case. Cover by Jorge Corona & Sarah Stern.

RELEASED: December 13, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Artistically, this is probably the most noteworthy issue of Batgirls yet, as Jonathan Case is a one-man show. He’s on the pencils, inks, colors, and letters, and it all looks positively gorgeous.

There’s a fight between Lady Shiva and Stephanie Brown (in Cassandra Cain’s body) in this issue that’s handled very well. The end result is pretty much what you think it’ll be. But I like how we got there. Specifically, Steph’s strategy against Shiva. It’s a nice character moment for her, despite her not being in her own body.

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

A Batgirls 2022 Annual Micro-Review – A Different Perspective

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.***

Batgirls 2022 Annual, cover, November 2022, Robbi Rodriguez, Rico RenziTITLE: Batgirls 2022 Annual
AUTHORS: Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad
ARTISTS: Robbi Rodriguez, Rico Renzi (Colorist), Dave Sharpe (Letterer)

RELEASED: November 29, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

I thought the body-switch storyline we see here might have been a one-off for the annual. But as it turns out, it’s continuing into Batgirls #13. Thankfully, they’re using it for more than just comedy. There’s the potential for some really nice character exploration with the story. They’ve got me looking forward to more.

Robbi Rodriguez’s style is a little more conventional than what Batgirls has shown us from Jorge Corona and Neil Googe. We didn’t need a break from that more quirky style. But it’s nonetheless nice to see things from what feels like a different perspective.

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

A Batgirls #12 Micro-Review – Classic (Not S&M) Riddler

Rob Siebert 1 Comment

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

Batgirls 12, cover, 2022, Jorge Corona, Sarah Stern, RiddlerTITLE: Batgirls #12
AUTHOR: Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad
ARTISTS: Neil Googe, Rico Renzi (Colorist), Becca Carey (Letterer). Cover by Jorge Corona & Sarah Stern.

RELEASED: November 8, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Neil Googe and Rico Renzi put together a really fun rendition of the Riddler. Classic Riddler, mind you. Not S&M Riddler.

Batgirls has hit its stride, and become one of the most fun offerings at DC Comics right now. Not just because of the dynamics between the characters, but work Neil Googe is turning in. It’s a bit unconventional for a Bat-book. But he’s making it work. I’m hopeful this series has a long life in front of it.

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

A Wonder Woman #793 Micro-Review – A Trio Reunited

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.***

wonder_woman_793_cover_2022_yanick_paquette_nathan_fairbairnTITLE: Wonder Woman #798
AUTHOR: Michael W. Conrad, Becky Cloonan, Jordie Bellaire
ARTISTS: Emanuela Lupacchino, Paulina Ganucheau, Wade Von Grawbadger (Inker), Bellaire (Colorist), Kendall Goode (Colorist), Pat Brosseau (Letterer), Becca Carey (Letterer). Cover by Yanick Paquette & Nathan Fairbairn.

RELEASED: November 8, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Our main feature is a nice little one-off about Wondie, Superman, and Batman. It’s highlighted, for my money, but how they act as close friends. It’s a feel-good issue in that respect. Hat-tip to Yanick Paquette and Nathan Fairbairn for a pretty awesome cover.

This is my first exposure to these “Adventures of Young Diana” back-ups. They’ve got a really cool look to them, reminiscent of something you’d see in one of DC’s graphic novels for kids or young adults. I’m thrilled to see something like that in one of the main books.

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

A Batgirls #11 Micro-Review – Arkham Zoo?!?

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.***

Batgirls 11, cover, 2022, Jorge Corona, Sarah SternTITLE: Batgirls #11
AUTHORS: Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad
ARTISTS: Neil Googe, Scott Godlewski, Wayne Faucher (Co-Inker), Rico Renzi (Colorist), Becca Carey (Letterer). Cover by Jorge Corona & Sarah Stern.

RELEASED: October 11, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

Cloonan and Conrad are doing a nice job making the Gotham Academy characters feel important and relevant to Batgirls. I never read GA, but always heard good things.

As I’m a stickler for this sort of thing, I have to point out that while there is a zoo in this issue, there is in fact no Arkham Zoo as the cover suggests. No pack of tigers surrounding our heroes either.

Who would you keep at Arkham Zoo, anyway? All the animal-themed villains? The Penguin? Killer Croc? Man-Bat?

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

A Batgirls #10 Micro-Review – Animated Grit

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.***

Batgirls 10, cover, 2022, Sarah SternTITLE: Batgirls #10
AUTHORS: Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad
ARTISTS: Neil Googe, Rico Renzi (Colorist), Becca Carey (Letterer). Cover by Jorge Corona & Sarah Stern.
RELEASED: September 13, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

For my tastes, Neil Googe and Rico Renzi’s art is a little easier on the palette. It’s highly animated at times, especially when it comes to Stephanie Brown. But at the same time it’s got a certain grit to it that fits Gotham City well. Let’s call it animated grit…

Steph gets a love interest in this issue. It comes off pretty charming, largely thanks to the way Neil Googe and Rico Renzi draw it. After a couple decades of conditioning, having that love interest not be Tim Drake is going to take some getting used to.

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

A Batgirls #9 Micro-Review – Thanks For Showing Up!

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.***

Batgirls 9, cover, 2022, Jorge Corona, Sarah SternTITLE: Batgirls #9
AUTHORS: Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad
ARTISTS: Neil Googe, Rico Renzi (Colorist), Becca Carey (Letterer). Cover by Jorge Corona & Sarah Stern.
RELEASED: August 9, 2022

By Rob Siebert
Fanboy Wonder

This is one of the only superhero comics I’ve ever read to not only acknowledge that it’s a comic book, but to have our narrator (Stephanie) thank us for showing up again. Granted, this is the first issue of Batgirls I’ve picked up in awhile. Have they been doing that kind of thing the whole time? It’s…different.

KGBeast, the villain that shot Nightwing in the head and gave him amnesia, is back to being treated like a chump. Our heroes pretty much spank him here. Well, we knew his sudden serious turn wouldn’t last, didn’t we?

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