Detective Comics: Batwoman / Batman and Robin

In the aftermath of DC's international headline grabbing decision to 'kill off' Bruce Wayne (well, for a year or so), they brought out a series of new Bat-related comics. While one can be sceptical about the commercially driven hiatus of the 'old' Batman, it is nonetheless interesting that this gives us at least two outstanding titles: the new Batman and Robin title, and the revamped Detective Comics, which now featuring Batwoman.

Issue 857 of Detective Comics finishes off the first story arc, Elegy, in the remarkable new Batwoman title. This title is a showcase of how well DC can do things if they are prepared to take risks. It's been a long time that they put some real artistic endeavour into the Batman-related comics (not since the 1990s, I think, since Kelley Jone's run with the title), but here, the artistic team of J.H. Williams III and Dave Stewart on colours are pulling off a one-of-a-kind approach that make the title rise above the usual superhero comics. Layouts and art are top-notch, and Dave Stewart's colours are brilliant - as ever, his colours add an extra layer of intensity to any book he works on. He has a tendency to make even mediocre art look great, but here the result is a stunning exercise in surreal storytelling - as befits a story line featuring a villain modelling herself on Alice in Wonderland. The writing is first class as well, introducing characters not necessarily at home in superhero books. The story arc ended maybe a bit abruptly, and left a series of open questions which will hopefully get answered in the sequels. Personally I like the Kate Kane/Batwoman character, along with the choice to make her a 'lipstick' lesbian. Anyway, this is a title that I highly recommend. Rating: 5 of 5.

[NB: Here is an interesting interview with JH Willam III on his work on Batwoman]

The second related title to warrant the qualification of 'outstanding' is the new Batman and Robin title. Again, DC took risks and it paid off, at least artistically (personally, I wouldn't have bought the title otherwise, having thought of it only as the product of a marketing ploy). The first three issues, written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Frank Quitely, veered towards the surreal, featuring strange new characters such as Professor Pyg, while Quitely's somewhat freakish and scary artwork supported this surreal approach.

With issue 4, the title edges back closer to run-of-the-mill superhero comics. Philip Tan takes over the artwork, which turns grimmer and less surreal. The new arc brings back the Red Hood (but leaving it a mystery if Jason Todd is still the man under the hood), who teams up with Scarlet, a character introduced in the previous story arc, to form a grim alternate 'dynamic duo'. Meanwhile, a mysterious new character Oberon Sexton appears on the scene, and Dick is still trying to 'educate' the new Robin, i.e. the insufferable Damian, who remains the weakest aspect of the title.

Personally, I preferred Frank Quitely's take on the title, but issue 4 is still a good read with first class artwork, and an intriguing set-up for a new story line. Rating: 4 of 5.