The Boy Wonder is Born (Robin: Year One Review)

Batmania readers, welcome to another edition of Graphic Novel Monday. This weeks review is on the Boy Wonder's debut, Robin: Year One. Written by Dixon and Beatty (the writers of the Nightwing series), Dick Grayson, the future Nightwing and Batman, the kid who had all the tools and determination to change the DC Universe, and one of the biggest fan favorites of all time. Robin: Year One shows the many firsts of Dick Grayson. Grayson's first year as Robin shows him tackling the Mad Hatter, Mr. Freeze, and his own mortal enemy, Two-Face.

Robin: Year One shows the untold origin of Dick Grayson, not the death of his parents, the Flying Graysons, but his first encounters with some of Batman's big villains. The novel is cut into four sections, and the first tackled is the abduction of young girls that seem to be disappearing all over Gotham. When a girl from Dick's class goes missing, he looks into it and eventually finds out that the Mad Hatter is behind the girl's disappearance. Along with Hatter's appearance, Robin tries to tackle the cold hearted Mr. Freeze without the help of The Dark Knight. And an appearance by Two-Face shows you why Harvey Dent's alter ego is to Dick Grayson what the Joker is to Batman.

Robin: Year One has a lot of recurring themes, including Jim Gordon being afraid of Robin getting hurt. He's not the only one, as Alfred also shows concern for Grayson, but Bruce believes that Grayson is something special ... and as we know Dick Grayson is. This is a very well written book, it establishes that Grayson isn't just some kid fighting adults, he's a determined, athletic young man ready to take on the world if he has to. The artwork is reminiscent of Batman The Animated Series, yet goes well with this type of story. Still, it seems a little rushed, and a little hard to believe that Dick could take on some of the biggest villains in Gotham with absolutely no help from Batman. I give Robin: Year One a 8.5/10.

- Jason Todd

Gotham City Sirens #2 Review

Hey Hey Hey, Jason Todd here with a review on Paul Dini's Gotham City Sirens #2. For those that didn't catch issue one, our three favorite ladies of Gotham, Selina "Catwoman" Kyle, Pamela "Poison Ivy" Isley and Harleen "Harley Quinn" Quinzel teamed up to become the Gotham City Sirens. After being taken in by Catwoman, Harley and Ivy decided to tie up our Feline Female and drug her with a truth serum from one of Ivy's many plants. What did they wanna know? Who is Batman?
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I'm warning you guys now, there are spoilers ahead, I usually avoid them but there was so little in this issue I would have nothing to discuss If I didn't.
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So in Issue two we see a flash back to three years prior where Selina meets with Talia Al Gul, this is billed as a meeting between the only two women Bruce Wayne has loved. Apparently the guy didn't care for his Mom at all ... but anyway Talia felt the need to teach Selina a technique that allows her to bury the knowledge of Bruce Wayne being Batman, incase someone ever happened to ... give her a truth serum and ask her apparently. Catwoman must not be all that great at learning because even though we see she learned in the Flashback, she still says Bruce Wayne is Batman, along with a few other people including Jim Gordon, Slam Bradley and Harvey Dent. After convincing the other Sirens that Batman is more of a Legend than one man, everyone is now happy and friends again, despite the recent mutiny.

Meanwhile, Harley goes shopping which appears to be her new vice since she can't shower Mr. J with her love. While out she runs into the man everyone believes to be Bruce Wayne but is actually the recently escaped Thomas Elliot a.k.a. Hush. When "Bruce Wayne" is kidnapped and held for ransom, Harley see's it as a chance to save the man who granted her a release from Arkham Asylum. Now with Harley running around town with a disguised Hush, (the very same man she helped Catwoman rob) Ivy and Catwoman are out to save their fellow Siren at our issues end.

Alrighty, so first things first, I love that the Dini stories interact, Hush escaping in Streets then still being out in Sirens is very cool. That's ... about it for things I liked. Okay ... so the first issue of Sirens left us with a GREAT cliffhanger, only for this issue to say, yeah well just incase anyone ever asks Catwoman who Batman is, lets say she learned how to hide her thoughts. This seemed very meh ... for Bruce it makes sense cause he's prepared for everything for Talia and Selina ... not so much. Then it's like why did we even learn about this if on the fourth page Selina says it's Bruce anyway. Then Bruce is the first person mentioned and No one cares? Not even Harley who later saves Bruce because he helped grant her a pardon from Arkham, yet she doesn't care that he's possibly Batman? Also, is it just me or is anyone else tired of Harley walking around in whatever the hell she's wearing? She's yet to put on her costume, yet all Selina seems to own is her costume.

I had high hopes for this issue and it really let me down...there's hardly anything worth mentioning and the one fight scene was maybe two and a half pages long. I don't know if Dini's trying to set up ground work for later on but this is not something that makes me wanna read the next issue. I give Sirens #2 a 4/10.

- Jason Todd

Women of DC Wednesday- Huntress

Hello Batmaniacs!! Welcome back to Women of DC. Poison Quinn here with our lucky lady for today. This sultry lady is one of my personal favorites. I present to you, Helena Bertinelli.....


Real Name: Helena Rosa Bertinelli
Current Alias: The Huntress
Birth Place: Gotham City
Gender: Female
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 130 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black

Abilities: Master Martial Artist (Dragon Style Kung Fu), Master Archer (Seen splitting a bullet sized mini-rocket in mid air), Expert Detective
Weapons: Crossbow, knife, twin-pistols, metallic staff
Transportation: Motorcycle

Known as the daughter of Maria Panessa Bertinelli and Gotham Mafia Boss, Franco Bertinelli Helena is known as the Huntress. Helena’s mother, Maria, was the victim of harsh abuse from her husband Franco which led to her affair with Santo Cassamento. Maria became pregnant after the affair, with Franco’s knowing that the child was not his, he still continued to beat Maria. Nine Months later she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl whom she named Helena Rosa. Up until Helena was eight years old, she grew up in a mafia household unaware of the criminal dealings that took place.

On her eighth year of life, a man barged into their home shooting Maria, Franco and Pino Bertinelli, instantly killing them. The hit came from Mandragora which Helena’s biological father passed the order along with the modification that “the Sister” be spared. “The Sister” referred to Maria, but the gunman confused Maria with Helena, sparing Helena’s life.

After the tragic deaths of her family, Helena was placed under the care of her Uncle Tomasso’s nephew, Salvator Asaro. She was then taken back to Sicily, where she was to be kept away, safe. While in Sicily Helena picked up the skills of the crossbow due to the training from her cousin. She was told that she could be the only one to put an end to those who murdered her family. Helena trained and practiced with weapons (Crossbow) and hand to hand combat until she was fifteen years old. The Italian government started to crackdown on Mafia families, Helena was then sent to Switzerland for boarding school to stay protected.

It was brought to light after she arrived in Swizerland that everything she had been told was a lie about the Mafia. Realizing that the Mafia was a force of corruption and evil lead by her own family she returned to Gotham, at the age of 16. At a Christmas party hosted by her family, she would catch her first glimpse of the caped crusader, Batman. Batman had crashed the party frightening her family and fought with them, giving her a realization she could fight them too.
Helena returned to Swizerland and prepared herself for her revenge on the Mafia. After college she returned to Gotham in pursuit of vengeance as the Huntress. Huntress ended the lives of Mandragora and the assassin who murdered her family.

A murder case of a police officer with connections to the Mafia resulted in a brief but, romantic relationship with Nightwing. The Huntress made an appearance in “No Man’s Lands” where later joker attacked her, shooting her five times leading to her making a full recovery, earning Batman’s respect. Batman later funded Helena for a new uniform and new bike. Returning the favor, Huntress saved Batman’s life when he took a fall in Crime Alley.

Appearing in Hush, where she was drugged by Scarecrow where she attacked Catwoman who she perceived as her “old” self. Helena made a full recovery with the help of Batman and soon allied with Oracle and Black Canary fighting crime in both Gotham and Metropolis as an official member of the Birds of Prey.


Once again one of my favorite Women in DC. She doesn't take any mess.

Until next time adios. :)

--Poison Quinn

Treacherous Tuesdays

Hello world and welcome to Batmania Reviews. This is Poison Quinn here to notify you guys of a small eviction and new location!

Villainous Fridays is being remolded, revamped and taken over by, yes me, Poison Quinn.:-) It will now take place on what I would like to call, "Treacherous Tuesdays", done by me :-). Here I will take you on an in depth look at some of Gotham City's most cruel, sinful and unforgiving
criminals.

Not only will I cover Gotham, but I will also shine light on some of DC Universes heinous and vile villains as well.

So, without further ado I present to you Mr. Born on a Monday.
Christened on a Tuesday.......

Solomon Grundy

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Real Name: Cyrus Gold
Current Alias: Solomon Grundy
Birth Place: Gotham City
Gender: Male
Height: 9’25”
Weight: 971
Eyes: Black
Hair: White

Powers: Superhuman Strength, Superhuman stamina, Mystical invulnerability, Ability to absorb energy and manipulate it.

It is said that Cyrus Gold was born around the early to mid 19th century. Although depending on who you ask or what you read, his birth can differ a little bit, BUT, we’ll just go with the early-mid 19th century. There are a number of ways for how Cyrus Gold became Solomon Grundy.

In one origin, he was a wealthy merchant named Cyrus Gold, of course, who was murdered and had his body disposed in Slaughter Swamp. Fifty years later, he was resurrected super-naturally with some of his body parts composed of parts from the swamp.

Another origin, one I find wild, happens in 1895. Gold was murdered by a pimp after one of his prostitutes tried to pin and blackmail him with being the father of her unborn child. When Gold refused to pay up, he was then knocked unconscious (Can we say pimp smacked? Lol) and buried in Slaughter Swamp. Over the next fifty years his body interacted with the swamp and its compounds and he was resurrected into Solomon Grundy.

Being introduced to the comic world in 1944, Grundy appeared as a huge shambled man with not much memory of his past life. Once he was resurrected, Grundy murdered two escaped criminals, stealing their clothes and taking shelter at a hobo camp.

Grundy was asked what his name was when he arrived but was only able to mumble, “Born on a Monday”. One of the men at the camp recited the old nursery rhyme that included Solomon Grundy and this would be the name and identity Gold adopted.

Being the vicious and strong monster he was, Solomon fell into the life of crime. This only led him to his many clashes with heroes including Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, the JSA and JLA. Although Grundy is said to haunt Gotham’s sewers that hasn’t kept him from starting trouble in other places. Grundy made an appearance in “The Long Halloween” where he befriended Harvey Dent as he was transitioning to Two Face. But you’ll have to read it to get all the goods on that back story.

Despite his many defeats, Solomon Grundy, resurrects in new incarnations varying in levels of strength and intelligence. Although for the most part he’s evil a few times his reincarnations have brought him back as a heroic individual, he always seems to get defeated either way.

So who’s to say when Grundy will be back? We’ll have to keep our eyes and mind at alert when reading.

Born on a Monday. Christened on Tuesday. Married on Wednesday. Took ill on Thursday. Worse on Friday. Died on Saturday. Buried on Sunday.

Is that the end of Solomon Grundy?

See ya’ll next week.


--Poison Quinn

Comic Review: Batman Streets of Gotham #2

Greetings all! Amputechture here with my first actual part on Batmania Reviews! So if I am a main collaborator on the site, why am I just now reviewing something? Well, the truth is, I have been busy behind the scenes ... In any case, you don't really care about that do you? No. Here are my thoughts on Batman: Streets of Gotham #2 ...

Summary: The story in this issue opens with Alfred watching the chaos in Gotham City unfold (apparently dusting helps to calm the nerves ... ) Gothamites are combusting into flames all over the city due to Firefly's twisted plans. It seems Bruce's old pal, Thomas Elliot, sees this as his chance to escape as he fools Alfred into thinking he himself is also a victim. We then shoot around town to see what everyone else is up to ...

We cut (briefly) to Firefly (Garfield Lynns) who shows just how twisted he really is. He isn't doing this to get money, he just likes "watching them dance," reveling in Gotham's misery. Not to mention that it brings Batman much pain. What a punk. We are then treated to the antics of the new kid in town, Abuse. It seems some of the citizens of the city have decided to loot, not from stores, but private homes. Abuse does not like this; not one bit ...

Batman and Robin encounter Abuse who was in the process of severely punishing some thugs. He remarks that he was doing "his part" and then Batman questions who this new vigilante is. Abuse proceeds to make his escape, as he is "hurt" that Batman doesn't remember him ( hey, he's a sensitive guy ... ) Batman and Robin deduce that he must have been one of the "other" Batman's friends. Interesting indeed ...

After Batman and Robin restrain the battered thugs, they move on (magically at that ...) to help Katy; the young girl from the last issue. Seems she aged a few years ... Batman is questioning her as he delicately removes the bug that she was tagged with. She doesn't offer much in the way information on Lynns himself, but the location where she was tagged gives the duo the lead that they needed.

We cut back to Lynn's who is suited up and ready for a confrontation. This he get's, as Black Mask makes quite the entrance, ( Black Mask is too evil for doors I tell's ya'! ) Apparently, Firefly's shenanigan's don't sit too well with him. He proceeds to activate the chemical in Firefly's body (the one that was injected into all of Arkham's escapees) ... but to no avail. Yes, it turns out Lynns was able to remove the chemical.

This set's Black Mask off as he orders his goons to take down the traitor. Firefly sets off a nice little trap and gains the upper hand. Just as he is about to finish off Mask, our Dynamic Duo intervene with a destructive entrance of their own. ( The building has to be seriously compromised by now.)

Batman and Robin jump out of the Batmobile and pursue the villains. Batman grapples onto a fleeing Firefly and Robin takes Black Mask. Before the Boy Wonder can do anything though, Zsasz intervenes and saves Black Mask ... So close.

Batman has more success as he floods Firefly's jet pack with a cooling round. Nice shot. They hurtle back towards the ground. The Dark Knight lands safely while Firefly is left to fall into the building which is now engulfed in flame. Thus, Firefly is left to die at the hands of his own device. Or is he?

As we cut back to the "Batcave," Dick, Alfred and Damien are in for a surprise. Dick is in the process of sending out a message to various heroes to "watch for" Thomas, when a news report catches their eye. Seems the escaped Elliot is impersonating Bruce Wayne and is being recorded live outside of the building! They approach him just to helplessly watch as he gives away One-Billion dollars, promising more every month ... Damien's closing statement says it all "We're screwed ..."

Final Thoughts: I will say this right now, I am a huge Dini fan, and this is what makes me more critical than usual. I found that some of the story-telling elements were not up to snuff. We really have no hint as to how Thomas Elliot started the fire to escape. It may seem minor, but Dini isn't writing a cartoon here, we need some shred of explanation. It was also strange that Batman and Robin "teleported" right to Katy's position after tying up the thugs that Abuse had, well abused.

The characterization of Firefly was great as it really made him into a threat, showing a sadistic side. Still, it seemed to be a waste as he makes Black Mask look like a buffoon and in turn is defeated by Batman within a few panels. Really? It also seems that Dini is striving for an expanded look at Gotham which makes the way Dick and Damien are written seem out-of- place. As if he needs to feel out the character's a bit more. And we get it Dini ... You like Zatanna.

The art lent itself to some annoyances as well. In my opinion, Dustin Nguyen is very talented, but just seems lazy on books as opposed to his various standalone artwork pieces. Katy, as I mentioned before, seems to be older in this issue. Not to mention that Black Mask looks down-right ridiculous at times. I may not be fan, but he does have some great visuals, especially in the fire-tinged scenes.

Despite these minor details, this was a solid book. While Dini may need to flesh out a few more things, the overall story was well-written with plenty of questions left to be answered. I am curious to learn more about Abuse and his role in all of this. While I find the Thomas Elliot plot "twist" a bit silly, I am interested to see how this plays out. Definitely a good read and something you should check out.

Rating: 7/10

-Amputechture

Identity Crisis Review

Hey guys, it's that time again! This week's "Graphic Novel Monday" feature is brought to you by one of my favorite writers, Brad Meltzer. I'll be reviewing Identity Crisis. Many of us have always wanted to be a superhero, especially as a kid; we all wanted the fame, the fans and the lifestyle. But what happens when someone stops shooting at the bullet-proof superhero, and aims for their vulnerable family and friends? This is the story that shows what happens, and shows you that not all superheroes are truly invincible.

Our story starts with "Elongated Man", Ralph Dibny and Firehawk conducting a stakeout on the roof. As they converse we see Ralph's nose twitch, a sign that something's wrong (as a twitch of the nose from Ralph Dibny has always meant that there were villains around or something was not right.) Elongated man mentions that it's his birthday celebration tonight (not his birthday) and his wife, Sue Dibny, always finds a way to try to surprise him. Being the expert detective that he is, always figures it out. Ralph never let Sue know and always acts surprised but this night, everything goes wrong. Ralph can sense it and rushes home, to find his wife, murdered, along with his present ... a positive Pregnancy test.

With Ralph devastated, the league is out for answers, and sends out everyone from the Titans, The JSA, and The Outsiders to get answers. While along the way the killer strikes again and again, with no answers pointing towards who they are and why they continue to target the loved one's of Superheroes. And along the way there's tragic scenes involving a certain Boy Wonder, shocking betrayals, and some actions by Dr. Light which are so outrageous, that it will leave you in awe ...

This is the end-all-be-all of Graphic Novels. Brad Meltzer is a genius, the artwork by Michael Bair is both beautiful and eerie at the same time. This is honestly one of the greatest stories I've ever read. This story is so pivotal that the effects are still being mentioned today, even in the Blackest Night storyline. Identity Crisis is in my top three Graphic Novels of all time easily, possibly my favorite of all time. If I could recommend one Justice League book it would be Identity Crisis. Simple as that...There's nothing else to say, 10/10.

- Jason Todd

The Blackest Night Begins

Hey guys, Jason Todd here again, this time with a review of the Epic Blackest Night issue one. As mostly everyone knows, the Blackest Night storyline is regarded as one of the biggest storylines of the year. DC Comics gave the helm to Geoff Johns for this story and decided to have Ivan Reis do the art and I think both will excel in these positions. So grab a flashlight as we jump right into The Blackest Night.

Right of the bat, the first thing I have to say is that this is one of the best drawn covers I've seen in a long time. It really draws you in and lets you know that this is a special story and something that shouldn't be taken lightly. Like Infinite Crisis & Final Crisis this is a story that will echo throughout the DC Universe for a long time after it's concluded. When our story starts we see the first Black Lantern, The Black Hand, cradled over the grave of our beloved billionaire Bruce Wayne, before sending out what had to be Billions of Black Lantern rings. If you don't believe me you go look at that page and tell me it's not billions...its like a swarm of locusts. Anyway, we move on to Hero Celebration day where heroes and citizens alike worship their fallen saviors, including fallen Teen Titans, Aquaman, and the Kents paying respect to Johnathan Kent. Even those treacherous villains are paying respects to their fallen comrades.

Later in the comic we encounter things that have clearly set up other story line's down the way, including a an update on The Atom, Ray Palmer, A conversation with Barry Allen and Hal Jordan, Alfred discovering Bruce's grave has been robbed, and the Resurrection of some of the biggest names in DC History, including Martian Manhunter and Aquaman, being brought back from the dead. And not to mention many more things that I won't ruin.

I will mention that the conversation between Hal and Barry showed just how long Barry has been gone and reminded us of how many characters have died lately. Also, the appearances of Hawkman and Hawkgirl elevated the story tenfold, as someone who's never cared for either, I for one can't wait to see what happens with them. There's really nothing bad I can say about Blackest Night, It's a great opener, packed alot of punches and set up future storyline's. But as much as I want to, I know I can't justify giving this issue a ten, only for the reason I know that future issues will be better, I have alot of faith in Geoff Johns. I Highly recommend you check out the Blackest Night Issue 1 because it's definitely gonna shake things up. I give issue one an 8/10.

- Jason Todd