Arkham Unhinged #3

I’ve picked up on this series only after it became printed, obviously. I’m glad it was printed because otherwise I’d be missing out on a hell of a comic. This series is so good because it not only gives images to the stories told in the files of Arkham City, but also adds to that content. You aren’t just re-reading the video game’s text but getting an expansion on the material and that is very apparent in #3. Through Riddler’s challenge, a back-story of the Joker vs. Penguin war is told but in game you jump right into the middle of it. But with so much else going on in Arkham City, the head-butting of two crime kings isn’t much to fuss over. Arkham Unhinged #3 makes that story more appealing and much funnier.

Arkham Unhinged hashes out panels to illustrate the back-story and also marks the beginning of their war within the walls of Arkham City. Joker crashes Penguin’s first appearance at the Iceberg Lounge, using his trademark acid flower and then spinning off the scene with the classic “We all scream for ice-scream!” line. Yes, I actually found that joke to be genuinely hilarious) I thought it was interesting how Joker showed up without his white-face (still debating if Arkham City’s Joker wears makeup or actually has white skin). I would say he cares about public appearance but, as usual, I think he was making a mockery of the high class scene.

Snap back to Arkham City; Joker’s taken Penguin’s supplies and fled the scene so Batman can beat the crap out of his men. Ooooh, double burn.  Then, Joker sets up a parade complete with a float, a band, entertainers, and “Miss Arkhamy,” headed straight to Penguin’s hideout. Joker’s henchmen are always a great source of comic relief. They’re innocent clown faces don’t seem to fit their idiotic tendencies. There’s some fire and violence but mostly Joker just manages to humiliate Penguin and rub his pointy nose in it. Again.  After Penguin’s rug gets destroyed and his idea of a dessert is shown, one almost mourns the lost friendship. But who am I kidding. It’s more fun when they hate each other.

From start to finish, I freaking love the art in this issue. The cover is amazing; the characters are drawn to key, the color scheme is striking, and the concept of Joker hovering over the esteemed Iceberg Lounge fits the story perfectly. As with all of this series, you begin with a cover that looks like it’s been painted and then delve into beautiful comic-style art. Sometimes the amount of detail put into faces come off a bit freaky looking, such as the close up of Harley. I can forgive this mistake though because at least Harley doesn’t look like a clown whore as the Suicide Squad crew would have it.

Speaking of Harley, the main thing that makes me love this issue is seeing another side of the Joker/Harley relationship. We see Harley and Joker in two different scenes, two different times. Even if just for a short while, Harley and Joker are shown as a criminal pair, working together instead of Harley being portrayed as a nuisance. Think about it. Joker has no problems with killing off henchmen, associates, and a good number of people who have promised to help him. Harley is the most dedicated out of all them but has made Joker angry more than once. Despite that, she’s still alive and his number one gal for almost everything. Perhaps I’m just a romantic but I’d like to think Joker has some sort of affection for “Harls” buried deep within that cold, clown heart. After all, he did crown her the Queen of Arkham City.

8/10

Batman and Robin #10: War of The Robins

Ah, let me count the ways in which Damian Wayne has captured my heart. Too many. “War of the Robins” first appears to be an attempt to dole out some fan-service to all Batman fans, both the old and naïve. However, it’s so much more. As the cover would make you believe, the Robins have a set idea on who was the best Robin. But as Bruce puts it, and as most hardcore Bat-fans would agree, there’s no “Robin” that was the best. They may have worn the same suit but they honored the costume in different ways.  And different doesn’t mean any one of them was the best. Of course, boys will be boys and they’ll still argue it to the death anyways. Except for Nightwing, who doesn’t really care because at least he can say he was the best Batman out of all the former Robins.

 

Although all the boy Robins are present, even the snarky Jason Todd, the story still focuses on the current Robin, little Master Wayne.  It’s not about Damian single-handedly kicking the crap out of all the Robins and taking place as winner of the day but rather he’s still struggling to even to be recognized as Robin. Damian may come off as extremely arrogant at times (I think we all know he has good reason to) but he’s still a boy. One would think being the actual son of the Batman would make scoring a Robin suit an easy catch. It isn’t. Damian still feels the need to prove himself not only to his dad but also his “big brothers.” While Dick has a large amount of patience for Damian, the other two are skeptical. Tim seems to straight-up hate Damian. My point is, when Damian threatens to “attack” each of them in a task, I don’t really think he wants to “win.” In a little boy’s mind, if you can beat someone at something, they’ll feel weak and respect you. He doesn’t want to be the best Robin. He just wants them to acknowledge he’s Robin now and love him. Aww. Breaking my heart.

Batman and Robin#10 was not what I was expecting from a first glance. It exceeded my expectations. While an actual war would have been an interesting read, I find Damian’s little exploits even better. I love watching him grow as a character. Especially one that I hated when he was first introduced and now I want to pinch his little cheeks. Someone pointed out that for a family picture, Cassandra, Barbara, and Stephanie weren’t present.  Cassandra and Stephanie haven’t showed up since Flashpoint. And Barbara was probably off somewhere swinging from roofs after being magically, freakishly healed busy. Batgirl is an important part of the Bat-Family but she isn’t part of the adoptive family the boys have built. Bruce is a father to those 3 Robins, adoptive or natural. Alfred is a father to Bruce and second father to the boys. Babs has her own, real family. It only makes sense for that for a Wayne family portrait, it’d be those 5(6, counting Titus). Hell, I think Jason should have showed up just to make it a party.

I’m looking forward to the new Terminus storyline (so tired of owls) and any tricks Damian has for the other boys. The only downside I can think of is not being more clued into what’s about to happen but that’s why we have a running series right?

9/10!