Batman #658 - Batman and Son Part 4 (Absent Fathers)

Batman #658
Writer: Grant Morrison
Penciller: Andy Kubert
Inker: Jesse Delperdang
Cover: Andy Kubert
Colorist: Guy Major
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Length: 23 Pages (Estimated)

Damian left Tim out of order to prove who the real son of Batman is. Tim is really injured and Alfred helps him heal. Batman wants Damian to return with Talia and he starts searching for her.

When Batman find Talia, she has a full army of Ninja Man-Bats. We end this issue with a big cliffhanger, probably because this is the last issue of the year. 

I can't say I'm really liking Grant Morrison as a writer so far, I hope I get to understand what's all the fuzz with him. I've heard really good reviews and comments about his work with the series.

Overall, I think this is an issue you can enjoy, but does not bring much to the table. I'm liking the tension between Tim and Damian but I'm guessing they are taking us somewhere where they are able to put all the issues to one side and probably they'll end up being real friends.

Batman #657 - Batman and Son Part 3 (Wonderboys)

Batman #657
Writer: Grant Morrison
Penciller: Andy Kubert
Inker: Jesse Delperdang
Cover: Andy Kubert
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Nick J. Napolitano
Length: 23 Pages (Estimated)

Batman takes Damian to the batcave. After Talia introduced father and son, it was decided that the boy would spend some time with his dad. The problem is: Damian is a brat; he is not interested in following instructions or taking any advice from anyone. There's a funny sequence of jealousy between Damian and Tim.

The villian on this issue is The Spook.

Overall, I think this is a fun issue. When Damian gets into action it gets very graphic. What's your opinion on media showing kids performing violent acts? are you ok with it?

Aquaman - The Unaired TV Pilot

From Wikipedia: Aquaman is a television pilot developed by Smallville creators Al Gough and Miles Millar for The WB Television Network, based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Gough and Millar wrote the pilot, which was directed by Greg Beeman. Justin Hartley starred as Arthur "A.C." Curry, a young man living in a beachside community in the Florida Keys who learns about his powers and destiny as the Prince of Atlantis.

The Aquaman pilot was expected to debut in the fall schedule of 2006, but following the merger of the WB and UPN, the resulting CW Network opted not to buy the series. After they passed on the pilot, it was made available online through iTunes in the United States and became the number-one most downloaded television show on iTunes. It received generally favorable reviews, was later released on other online markets, and aired on Canadian television network YTV.

Aquaman - Aquaman

If you were looking for the animated series, here's a link to it too

Aquaman, The Complete Series - Aquaman (Animated)

Batman #656 - Batman and Son Part 2 (Man-Bats from London)

Batman #656
Writer: Grant Morrison
Penciller: Andy Kubert
Inker: Jesse Delperdang
Cover: Andy Kubert
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Nick J. Napolitano
Length: 23 Pages (Estimated)

Bruce Wayne follows Alfred's suggestion (read Batman #655) and goes to London to relax. We get introduced to Jezebel Jet and after a couple pages we get the appeareance of the Man-Bats, followed by Batman and a long fight between them.

Up to this point, I consider all this introduction to be a filler. I guess the last 2 pages are the ones I would keep. Here's where we get introduced to Damian. Bruce's and Talia al Ghul's son.

Overall, I think you could skip the whole issue without problem. This is one of those weak efforts to keep the story going and getting your money for no real content. I guess I've seen this way too often on serialized comics. What do you think of this issue?

Batman #655 - Batman and Son Part 1 (Building a Better Batmobile)

I´m new to the world of comics, I'm sure I'll be discovering a lot while I keep this log of comics I've read. I'm gonna need your help, being no expert at all any guidance will be useful.

I'm going to start with the Batman & Son arc by Grant Morrison. This will cover Batman #655, #656, #657, #658, #663, #664, #665 & #666

So let get this rolling:



Batman #655
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Andy Kubert
Cover: Andy Kubert
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Nick J. Napolitano
Length: 23 Pages (Estimated)

This issue starts in media res; A poisoned commissioner Gordon falls from a building while The Jocker celebrates finally killing Batman, he does not realize though, that Batman has a gun and is willing to use it.

What? Batman with a gun?
I may need some backstory, perhaps in wasn't the easiest issue to start reading Batman, but it took me a while to understand that the Batman with the gun was a cop that snapped.

This arc deals with Batman cleaning Gotham, The Joker gets incarcerated and all major villans are gone.

During this issue we get to see Tim Drake as Robin. So far I've only read stories with Tim or Dick as Robin.

The first 9 pages are very good. They give a feel of where we are heading: a bored Bruce Wayne that has to face life as himself. The rest of the issue goes with no action at all, just dialogue (mostly between Alfred and Bruce)

Overall, I think this issue has a lot of filler with some very strong sequences from the beginning.