Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Warwick Johnson; I am a Mammals Company Member, playwright/actor/director (and sometimes all three at once), burgeoning comic book writer, and an avid fan of comics and graphic novels. Bob and I had the idea to do a weekly write-up on the blog to provide a spotlight on our picks for the best comic/graphic novel of the week, and this is it. We're going to spotlight a different book every week, mostly new releases but there will be weeks where a trade or older graphic novel get the spotlight. And I'm foregoing star ratings for my spotlights, since we'll only be writing about books that should definitely be bought and enjoyed.
Spotlight Special Mention - Wonder Woman #6
It was really tough to pick just one book this week, because there were a couple that were very good. This week's Wonder Woman #6 definitely came the closest, thanks to the strong work of Brian Azzarello and especially Tony Akins. Akins, a friend of the Chicago Mammals, has done an excellent job as fill-in artist for Cliff Chiang these past 2 months. So good in fact, that the book hasn't dropped in quality despite Cliff Chiang being arguably one of the best artists in the business.
Spotlight of the Week - Batman #6
As good as some of the New 52 books have been (Green Lantern, Swamp Thing, Animal Man, Wonder Woman...), Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman is hand's down the best book that DC is publishing right now, and is one of the best books each and every month. Snyder is going to be the mastermind behind the New DC's first big cross-over, "The Night of the Owls", which starts in May and crosses over almost every Bat-family book. The seeds of "Night of the Owls" are laid here, and if this issue is any indication then it is going to be an amazing event.
Since Batman re-launched last year, Scott Snyder has been weaving the story of the Court of the Owls - a Gotham urban legend that has been operating in secret for hundreds of years, ever since the founding of Gotham. This story shows perfectly what Snyder has excelled at since he started writing for Detective Comics in 2010, which is using the myths and history of Gotham City and to tell his stories. The care that Snyder takes in creating the worlds that his characters live in is truly inspiring as a writer, and I love that his extra details are never superfluous but instead serve to tell a richer narrative. It gives new life and a more interesting take on a character that has existed since 1939, plus I love it when the city that the hero inhabits personifies that hero and becomes just as important a character in the book. What I mean is that Batman could not take place anywhere but Gotham City, and I love that.
Batman #5 was one of the best comic books that I've read in a long time, as Batman found himself trapped in a labyrinth for eight days by the Court of the Owls and stalked by their trained killer Talon. The quality only dips slightly with number 6, but we get to learn a little more about the Court of the Owls and get a brief glimpse of the individuals that make up this secret society. The Court are incredibly creepy, but we are only given the slightest information about them and more questions are raised than answered. While it's effective in setting the stage for "Night of the Owls", it is kind of a let-down for the end of the opening story-arc of a monthly comic. But that is only a minor gripe, and judging by the end of this issue, Batman and friends have their work cut out for them in dealing with the Court in the future. Assuming of course that Bats even makes it that long, as things have definitely gone from bad to worse for Bruce Wayne this issue. Considering that he got stabbed at the end of #5, that should give you an idea of the long odds facing the Dark Knight. I'm trying to keep spoiler free in the column, so forgive me for being vague. I will say, I have never been a fan of Greg Capullo (too 90's for my taste) until he started working on
Batman, but he has been amazing on this book so far. The way that Cappullo draws Batman when he reaches his breaking point is a truly breath-taking visual.
This was yet another terrific issue from an outstanding creative team, and definitely worthy of this week's spotlight. I recommend starting with
Batman #1 (which received it's 5th reprint recently after selling-out 4 times now) and working your way through, or you can wait until
the hardcover comes out in May. Also, for more Scott Snyder Batman, I highly recommend "
The Black Mirror" which is in hardcover now.
That's all for this week folks, be sure to keep checking back here for more from the Chicago Mammals, come see "
Devil's Don't Forget" before it closes next weekend, and be back here for another Weekly Comic Spotlight.
-Warwick
We are now publishing books! And each one has a coupon in the back for a free admission to a Mammals show! If you like what we do and want to support us, this is a perfect way! Click on button and you can purchase our first book, DEVILS DON'T FORGET the script!
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