Comic Book Review: The Brave and the Bold #1: Batman and Green Lantern - DC Comics (2007)

"The Lords of Luck Roulette"
Chapter One

Written by Mark Waid and George Perez
Pencils by George Perez
Inks by Bob Wiacek
Colors by Tom Smith

Batman and Green Lantern have a mystery to solve.  Multiple bodies have been found throughout the world and also in space.  The odd part is, it's the exact same body in all of these locations.

I like "The Brave and the Bold" concept of teaming up two DC superheroes.  The first issue in the 2007 iteration has two fan-favorites; Batman and Green Lantern.  I like how these two heroes work together despite a stark clash in style.  The world's greatest detective teaming up with the man with a ring that create just about anything he can think of.

Mark Waid and George Perez have the beginning of a very mysterious story and it goes from outer space, to Gotham, to Las Vegas and before the story ends Green Lantern is headed back to space to head to another planet.  We are also introduced by inter-planetary villains along with another villain we are a bit more familiar with in Roulette.  I received this comic book in the TeeBlox subscription service and you can check out past reviews of that service at HelloSubscription. I may need to head to my local comic shop to see if I can find the rest of this series in the bargain bin.  My library may have the collected graphic novel as well.

George Perez is one of my all time favorite artists and, as soon as I saw his work on the cover, I immediately opened the book to start reading.  Perez has drawn just about everyone in the worlds of DC and Marvel Comics and I was excited by what I saw inside.  Everything from the heroes to the backgrounds look wonderful.  It was an absolute pleasure to not just read, but look at the incredible artwork in "The Brave and the Bold" #1.

What are your thoughts on "The Brave and the Bold" concept?  What other comic books would you like Maskerpiece Theatre to review?  Please let us know in the comment section below or through social media.

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Comic Book Review: Batman #24 - DC Comics (2017)

"Every Epilogue is a Prelude"

Written by Tom King

Pencils by David Finch
Inks by Danny Miki
Pages 1, 4, 8, 10, 12, 16-20

Pencils and Inks by Clay Mann with Seth Mann
Pages 2-3, 5-7, 9, 11, 13-15

Colors by Jordie Bellaire

Batman and Gotham Girl discuss what her future will be.  Batman is also searching for Catwoman As he has some very important things to say to her.

Tom King continues to prove that he is one of the best writers in comic books.  Issue 24 of Batman shows such great sides to the Dark Knight.  Batman is much more revealing on a personal level and he reveals he doesn't know how to be happy.  His unhappy revelation came during Batman's conversations with Gotham Girl during the daytime within this book.  The conversation continues throughout the comic book through colored captions during the nighttime scenes where we see Batman chasing Catwoman.  As the chase draws closer, we get to see Batman talk to Catwoman and it ends with Batman confessing things to her.  The end of the book has fanboys and fangirls everywhere wondering what Catwoman's response will be.

I really enjoyed having multiple artists for this comic.  There were two distinctly different things going on.  Having Clay and Seth Mann doing the artwork for the daytime chat between Batman and Gotham Girl looked wonderful.  They captured Batman's grittiness while still giving softer looks to Gotham Girl.  David Finch and Danny Miki were in charge of Batman's pursuit of Catwoman and the last page with the all-important gesture should be made into a print.  This comic book is excellent.

What are your thoughts on Batman?  What do you think Catwoman/Selina Kyle will say?

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Comic Book Review: Superman #22 - DC Comics (2017)

"Black Dawn"
Chapter 3

Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason
Pencils by Doug Mahnke
Inks by Jaime Mendoza and Ray McCarthy
Colors by Wil Quintana

Lois Lane is searching for her husband Clark Kent and their son Jon.  The boys were out with Damian Wayne(Robin) looking for Batman.  Lois finds out there is much more to her missing family and friends as "Black Dawn" continues.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Rebirth run on Superman thus far.  The "Black Dawn" story line had the seeds planted many issues ago and I feel that this is something that really sets DC Comics apart from many other comic book companies.  There is a plan in place and the stories have been wonderful because of it.  This isn't to say that you need to read all 21 issues leading up to this(plus an Annual and some cross-overs with Action Comics).  If you did read them, it's an added bonus.

The "Black Dawn" stories read a lot like a horror story.  We are also given these stories from multiple perspectives.  The majority of this comic book is from Lois' perspective as she uses her journalistic prowess to find Clark, Jon, Damian and Bruce.  Because this is Lois, we get to see her find much more than she had originally bargained for.  We also are treated to how tough she can be as she takes on assailants and gets to drive the Batmobile.  Superman is the person whose perspective is given to the readers.  There is a revelation at the end of this book that left me clamoring for more.

Doug Mahnke is one of my favorite artists and I am always happy to see his name on the cover.  Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason have been putting together incredible stories and they are that much better when Mahnke is in charge of the art.  The inks were nice in this comic as the use of black in some of the more eerie panels was beautiful.  The visuals are spectacular and Wil Quintana's colors add to the spooky feeling.

What are your thoughts on Superman?  Do you like the family dynamic that is used in this series?  What other comic books would you like Maskerpiece Theatre to review?

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Comic Book Review: Justice League of America #1 - DC Comics (2017)

"The Extremists" Part One
Written by Steve Orlando
Pencils by Ivan Reis
Inks by Joe Prado, Oclair Albert & Julio Ferreira
Colors by Marcelo Maiolo

Batman's new Justice League of America are spread out across the world handling different situations while a group from another world has shown up and they are ready to make this Earth a better place; by ruling it.

This book feels very rushed and in a typical rag-tag group that need to find a way to get along otherwise the Earth is doomed kind of way.  Everything is held together using Batman as the one who brings them together(as if he didn't have enough going on in all the books he's in).  It all feels very forced so I am looking forward to this story to get going and being done so we can concentrate on the overall book and not trying to figure out where everyone fits.  Maybe I am just being overly picky.

Ivan Reis' art is always a pleasure to view.  The action scenes look great as do the closeups.  I also like how Reis is able to have a group scene encompass a page but still have panels within.

Overall, the book is fine.  It would be a nice start for someone looking for a new hero book with some characters you may not be as familiar with.

What are your thoughts on the Justice League of America?  What other comic books would you like Maskerpiece Theatre to review?

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Comic Book Review: Justice League of America: Rebirth #1 - DC Comics

JLA Rebirth
Written by Steve Orlando
Pencils by Ivan Reis
Inks by Joe Prado & Oclair Albert
Colors by Marcelo Maiolo

Batman is putting together a new team.  A team of heroes that are less God-like and more human.  A group the people of the world can identify with.  The question is, can this group find a way to get along with each other?  Beware: the rest is spoilers.

This book starts out with Batman recruiting Killer Frost.  The two look over the base of operations that Batman has chosen, a secret cave in Happy Harbor, Rhode Island.  From here, Batman and Killer Frost head to Seattle to recruit Black Canary who was a bit surprised the once villainous Killer Frost had come to her city.  The next to be recruited is the alien biker Lobo.  Lobo agrees and the group look to have Ray Palmer, The Atom, join in the fun.  Ray Palmer is missing but his student aid, Ryan Choi, is there and he has been using Palmer technology to search for The Atom.  Batman was against it but Lobo liked the kid.  Now it's the Ryan's turn to recruit so now The Ray is in the group.  Batman rounded out the group by convincing Vixen to join.

This book reminded me of the beginning of Justice League International during the New 52 run.  Batman puts together a group to look good for the masses.  He chooses a leader most of the group wouldn't expect(Killer Frost for JLA and Booster Gold for JLI).  Justice League International was a fun series and I foresee the same with this comic book team.  Having Lobo and Black Canary on a team with Killer Frost should make for plenty of interesting panels.

Ivan Reis is one of my favorite comic book artists today.  It is awesome seeing his work on so many heroes.  The attention he gives to the facial expressions and the poses each character is in is phenomenal.  The colors by Marcelo Maiolo looked amazing as well.  So many of the panels within the book were cover-worthy.

What are your thoughts on the Justice League of America?  What comic book series' are you reading?  Let us know by reaching out to us through social media.

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Comic Book Review: The Flash #21 - DC Comics (2017)

"The Button" part 2
Written by Joshua Williamson
Art by Howard Porter
Colors by Hi-Fi

The Flash is investigating the Bat-Cave, the scene where his nemesis, The Reverse Flash aka Eobard Thawne, met his demise(see Batman #21).  Upon his investigations, The Flash decides he must look for clues in a way only The Flash is able to do.

"The Button" story line is blowing me away.  I am thoroughly enjoying what this cross-over event is bringing to the table.  Flash and Batman teaming up to travel through time and universes to find out who or what killed the man who murdered Barry Allen's(The Flash) mother is a recipe for a whole lot of awesome.  The scenes from the time stream were absolutely incredible.  For the DC fans who did not love the "New 52" as much as I did will be happy to see many of the scenes from this comic book.  For those that liked the characters from the Flashpoint series, there is a really cool appearance from someone very familiar to Bruce Wayne(Batman).

Howard Porter's artwork is spectacular in this comic book.  There is so much going on in each panel as he has a full background in just about all of them.  Pairing this art with Joshua Williamson's brilliant storytelling is absolutely extraordinary.  Get to your local comic shop and buy these books before they are gone.

What are your thoughts on "The Button" story?  Which comic book event are you most excited for?  Let us know through social media.

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Comic Book Review: Batman #21 - DC Comics (2017)

"The Button" Part 1
Written by Tom King
Pencils and Inks by Jason Fabok
Colors by Brad Anderson

Batman is investigating the button that was mysteriously found during the Rebirth comic book.  Upon finding something unexpected, Batman contacts The Flash who was in the middle of a fight.  Before the Flash could dispose of his foes and get to the Bat-Cave, Batman has a visitor.  Don't read any further if you do not want any spoilers.

This is how you kick of a comic book event.  I am all in on finding out more about this mysterious button as this appears to be a Watchmen tie-in.  Batman sees his father from an alternate universe and also gets into a tussle with the Reverse Flash.  Reverse Flash claims to see God at the end of the comic before he looks to be burned away.  It looks like the aftermath of those that cross Dr. Manhattan(or is that just something we are lead to believe?).

Jason Fabok is an absolutely fantastic person to be doing the art for this comic book.  I've been a huge fan of his work for some time and I really enjoy the way he draws all of the heroes and villains of the DC Universe.  I'm looking forward to seeing more of his work as this story progresses.

What are your thoughts on "The Button?"  Which summer comic book event are you most excited for?  Please let us know in the comment section below or contact us on social media.

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Casting Batgirl

It was recently announced that DC's Batgirl will be an upcoming movie from Joss Whedon.  I was immediately excited by this news.  I feel like Joss Whedon is an amazing fit for a strong female superhero.  I have enjoyed his works in film, tv and comic books.  Whedon was the writer for Astonishing X-Men for Marvel and what he was able to do with Kitty Pryde's character makes me more than confident he will make an incredible film.

Batgirl's alter ego is Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Gotham police chief Jim Gordon.  She is trained by Batman and has a little something going on with Dick Grayson aka Robin/Nightwing.  This could be a really interesting story so I'm glad Joss Whedon is the guy in charge.

Since Joss is going to busy with all the writing and directing and such, we at Maskerpiece Theatre though we would lend a helping hand in the casting department.  I posed the question to the Maskerpiece Theatre contributors: Who should be cast as Batgirl?  I have the responses below.  They are in no particular order as we each picked somebody.

Addison Timlin

Karen Gillen

Summer Glau

Rhonda Rousey

Emily Browning

Shailene Woodley

Liv Hewson


I used the cover photo of each actress' IMDB profile.  What are your thoughts on our choices?  Who do you think would be the best actress to play Barbara Gordon/Batgirl?

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WonderCon 2017 - The Event

We had so much fun in Anaheim at WonderCon last weekend. This is a glimpse into what the Con looked like. Enjoy these images and stay tuned for our next post which will be a look at the fantastic cosplay we saw!

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