Supergods by Grant Morrison $1.99

480 Pages

According to Supergods, Superman comics say less about Superman than they do about Clark Kent. Superman was conceived as a symbol of strength and individualism for the Depression-era middle class--perhaps a more compelling portrait of the era than much literature of the time. But this is just one of the many superhero mythologies author Grant Morrison unpacks to give colorful historical and cultural context. Morrison, a prolific comics storyteller with a career spanning 20 years writing for both Marvel and DC Comics, may be the world's most qualified superhero scholar. (Morrison's reinvention of the Man of Steel, the All Star Superman series, is arguably the best comic of the past decade.) But Supergods isn't a book that appeals strictly to fanboys. Like his comics, Morrison's prose is swift yet powerful, and it's the broader strokes of the Supergods narrative that resonate most. The book succeeds at being a great history of comic books over the past century, but it's an even more convincing exploration of humankind as a whole. --Kevin Nguyen

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Batman #663 (The Clown At Midnight)

Batman #663
Writer: Grant Morrison
Art by: John Van Fleet
Cover: ?
Type Design: Todd Klein
Length: 23 Pages (Estimated)

Warning: This is not formatted as a regular comic book issue. It is a standalone (kinda) story written in prose by Grant Morrison. In Batman #663 we see the return of The Joker; last time we saw him was in Batman #655, where he gets shot by a fake Batman.

This issue is regarded as one of the best Joker stories out there. I do not agree with that; The story itself is ok nothing special, but the art is awful. It uses CGI (and cheap CGI I might say), back in 2007 there were ways to create better 3D images for sure.

Grant Morrison shows a shows a mastery over an extended lexicon and that's something to applaud. Also, the format, experimenting like this is something that needs to be recognized as taking risks. The downside, which opaques the good work Grant did lays on the layout/font/graphic design of the issue.

This story is not really tied to Batman and Son, but it was compiled in the Trade Paperback edition. 

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?

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.

JLA #2 - New World Order (The Day The Earth Stood Still)

JLA #2

Writer: Grant Morrison
Pencils: Howard Porter
Inks: John Dell
Colors: Pat Garrahy
Length: 23 Pages (Estimated)


Can I start with this issue or do I need to know something?: You haven't missed much if you didn't read Issue #1, briefly, here's what happend: A group of 8 Aliens called "The Hyperclan" arrived to earth, their leader, Protex, promised to fix all problems on earth, The Justice League is suspicious about this proactive approach (they have been reactive so far, right?).


What is it about?

JLA #1 - New World Order (Them!)

JLA #1

Writer: Grant Morrison
Pencils: Howard Porter
Inks: John Dell
Colors: Pat Garrahy
Length: 23 Pages (Estimated)


Can I start with this issue or do I need to know something?: I don't think there's anything that you won't be able to understand if this is your first comic ever.


What is it about?At the beginning of issue #1 we have an existing Justice League consisting of: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash (Wally West), Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner), and the Martian Manhunter.


The story starts with a group of 8 aliens arriving to earth, claiming that they can fix all human problems (famine, deforestation, corruption... you get the idea. All humans cheer and welcome this alien group commanded by Protex, but Superman is suspicious about the price or effects that those fixes will have.


Meanwhile, a space station is being attacked. Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and Metamorpho are onboard (with 3 other characters I'm not familiar with) and escape just barely.


For a first issue we didn't get much information, of course we get a cliffhanger. So, I would rather get the paperback edition to get more of the story at once. Can't really judge the story so far. The illustration style is something I don't really like, it looks dated... kinda clustered. Superman has long hair, Green Lantern has a very 90's outfit and Batman has long/pointy nails... So far, I'm not crazy about this.


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