After what has seemed like momentary stagnation, comic books and graphic novels reflected a turbulent, erratic year with vital, innovative, diverse stories. From superheroes to fantasy landscapes in the backyard or someone’s mind – or both – comics like Absolute Batman took big chances and delivered in big ways for readers. My biggest regret in […]
About Darby Harn
Review: Absolute Batman #3
Synopsis: Batman and Alfred have formed a tentative alliance, but the Black Mask has some new friends too… Review: In standard Batman lore, Bruce Wayne uses his extreme wealth to combat corruption. In the Absolute Universe, he chooses to corrupt himself – kind of – to achieve extreme wealth. The gray has never been grayer […]
Review: When We Transform: A Superhero Tale of Transition
Synopsis: Tokusatsu and the Trans Experience! Review: The first rule of Light Patrol is you don’t talk about Light Patrol. But we’re going to talk about When We Transform, because it’s not every day you read a superhero transition story by way of the Tokusatsu genre. I backed this comic on Kickstarter and the first […]
Review: Absolute Batman #2
Synopsis: Batman was born out of violence – a horrible tragedy that shaped the trajectory of his future. But when a vigilant MI6 agent starts tracking the lonely life of Bruce Wayne, he discovers the interconnectivity between a hero’s shell life and the many layers of the Black Mask Gang. It’s Batman versus Alfred Pennyworth! […]
Review: Absolute Superman #1
Synopsis Without the fortress…without the family…without a home…what’s left is the Absolute Man of Steel! Review Absolute Superman #1 completes the trinity of DC’s bold new initiative this fall, presenting their classic characters like Batman and Wonder Woman without the burden of continuity. This is the book I’ve been most uncertain about. Whereas Batman is […]
Review: Absolute Wonder Woman #1
Synopsis Without the island paradise…without the sisterhood that shaped her…without a mission of peace…what’s left is the Absolute Amazon! Review Wow. Few words can sum up the reading experience that is Absolute Wonder Woman #1. One of them is Amazon, a word banned from ever being uttered again in a startling, fearless sequence early in […]
Review: Ultimate Spider-Man #1 (2024)
Synopsis THE NEW ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN FOR A NEW ULTIMATE UNIVERSE! Review After covering Absolute Batman #1 last week, I thought it would be a good idea to backtrack a little to May of this year and another major reimagining of a classic superhero. Ultimate Spider-Man #1 (2024), written by Jonathan Hickman with pencils by Marco […]
Review: Absolute Batman #1
Synopsis Without the mansion…without the money…without the butler…what’s left is the Absolute Batman! Review A violent gang runs amok in Gotham. Only one man can stop them. Sounds like your usual Batman plot. But there’s nothing usual at all about Absolute Batman #1. Written by Scott Snyder, with art by Nick Dragotta, Absolute Batman #1 […]