Fantastic Universes

“The Final Joke” - Part Two Writer: Dan Jurgens Artist: Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund & Andrew Dalhouse Review by Adam Ray The ambitious, and layered stories of Gotham yet to come. After the shock return of the Joker in  issue #25 , Dan Jurgens does what’s needed, as we get the glimpse of a logical explanation as to how he can be back. The real masterwork here is that the glimpses were felt as early as issue 5 of this run. I didn’t notice either. We see the fallout after one day of the Joker returning, and everyone’s reaction to the devastation. In this issue, it’s clear that we have much more to look forward to. The Joker only ever makes the most dramatic of entrances. Batman spends most of the issue dealing with the collateral. We the reader can feel that the Joker is back. Being able to manage the tension of a serious threat’s return, yet have none of the conflict involve them directly is a real feat. The Joker can claim mastery while the people of Gotham scrabble ar...

“The Final Joke” - Part One Writer: Dan Jurgens Artists: Cully Hamner, Marco Santucci & Val Staples Review by Adam Ray It’s very rare for an issue to feel like it’s on this grand a scale. For the twenty fifth anniversary instalment, Dan Jurgens has stuffed in extra greatness, not just extra pages. The entire issue is a gift to the readers. We see a sweeping history of Batman, from his earliest days with an eager young Dick Grayson beside him. We see the story of how Gotham grew from the seat of depravity that it was, into the technological marvel of the future. All the while we see a reunion and a memorial, but the joke is on Batman this time around. It’s a real testament to Jurgens that he’s able to understand a lot of things all at once. His knowledge of exactly where certain characters are as time passes and his complete understanding of current comics continuity, allows the seamless move from past to future. Understanding how something as rooted in the city of Gotha...

“Target Batman” - Conclusion Writer: Dan Jurgens Artist: Will Conrad, David Baron Review by Adam Ray Here we see the dramatic conclusion of the current arc. Issue 23 left this reviewer hollering a string of angry vowels. It’s a hard skill to be able to know a character like Jurgens does, yet weave new myths around them, and leave a comic book reader with their hands open and ready for the next step. I love the recurring little trope Jurgens is using - by starting each issue with that brief recap saying it’s a weirdly specific length of time ago then thrusting you right into the action. It’s unapologetic and a perfect way to start the action. In this dramatic conclusion, everything we learned about Adalyn in previous issues really comes together. We’ve seen Jack Ryder’s co-anchor dip slowly into the maniacal destruction we’d expect from a true Batman villain. The visions of the monstrous Batman of her past is the very one she’s been projecting over New...

“Target: Batman” - Part Four Writer: Dan Jurgens Artists: Will Conrad & David Baron Review by Adam Ray As revealed in the  last issue , The Scarecrow has returned to Gotham. Methods for spreading mass panic have only grown stronger and more sophisticated over the many decades since Bruce Wayne fought Jonathan Crane. We see in this issue exactly how a new Scarecrow has transformed the people of Gotham into deadly weapons. Batman is truly everyone’s target. I, and many readers, are thankful for the brief fly-by as the issue opens. Witnessing Matt really take on responsibilities at the helm of the Batmobile. It helps us all see why Bruce trusts the younger McGinnis brother as a natural fit for the mantle of Robin. It also shows how quickly Matt can go from calm and self-assured to surrounded by a mob and fighting with all his might. The art throughout this issue is really,  really  good. The consistency we’re seeing in having Jack Ryder...

“Target: Batman” - Part Three Writer: Dan Jurgens Artists: Will Conrad & David Baron Review by Steve J. Ray I hate spoilers, but if the premise hasn’t given the game away, then this issue’s cover sure has. Yes folks, you guessed it… The Scarecrow is back! Batman has always been regarded throughout the criminal underworld as a figure of fear. In recent months, though, even the innocent have been terrified of him. Anyone directly looking at Batman would no longer see a hero, but a slavering Bat-Demon. Someone has been manipulating the fears of the citizens of Gotham, and  last issue  we saw Terry attacked by the very people he’s sworn to protect. To make matters worse, the mob was led by none other than Barbara Gordon, commissioner of the GCPD. Dan Jurgens is a clever, clever man. Since this story arc began in  Batman Beyond  #20  he’s lulled me into a false sense of security. We know Bruce Wayne’s old, but still kicking. In this story Mr. Jurgen...

“Target: Batman” - Part Two Writer: Dan Jurgens Artists: Will Conrad & David Baron Review by Steve J. Ray Scary. Batman has always been a figure of fear; his entire image was designed to frighten criminals. But, what happens when the people he’s sworn to protect are as terrified of him as the villains he’s defending them against? This is a brilliant premise on which to base a Batman story, and Dan Jurgens is just the man to tell it. In  Batman Beyond  #20  we saw a Batman that was almost as much of a gargoyle as those he’s famous for perching upon, when he’s watching over Gotham City. Who or what is this Bat Creature? Or is this the way that the new Dark Knight is now perceived by the people? How can Batman survive in a city that fears him, and where even his closest allies now want to hunt him down? Fear The Batman As usual Dan Jurgens delivers a sterling script, based on an idea so simple it’s brilliant. It reminds me ...