Comic Book Review: Spawn #27 - Image Comics (1995)

"Cursed"
Story by Todd McFarlane
Art by Todd McFarlane and Greg Capullo
Color by Steve Oliff and Olyoptics

Spawn is doing some soul searching in the alleys of New York City.  While Spawn is contemplating life, a new person is joining the fray of those that a serving a higher power.  This is all going on as Terry and Wanda are trying to figure out who has been making Terry's life difficult.

I received this comic book in the Comic of the Month Club subscription box.  It's a random number but all in all an enjoyable comic book.  Todd McFarlane's Spawn is one of the few Image properties that has stood the test of time.  Image Comics is much different than what was introduced more than twenty years ago.  Spawn continues to thrive however.  Comics, toys, the HBO series, the movie and another movie coming soon has kept this unlikely hero relevant in the superhero world.

Issue number 27 was a lot of fun to read.  I had only read much earlier issues of Spawn previously but I watched the entire HBO series a couple of times so I was able to fill in some of the gaps(provided it follows somewhat closely).  Everything seemed to progress well and left me wanting to read the next issue.

The art looks beyond incredible in this book.  Todd McFarlane is one the all time greats and he is accompanied by an artist that has become a superstar in his own right; Greg Capullo.  Every panel is a joy to look at and flows with the story amazingly well.

What are your thoughts on Spawn?  Which Image Comics originals are your favorites?

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Comic Book Review: Batman #51 - DC Comics (2016))

"Gotham Is"

Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Greg Capullo

There is a blackout in Gotham and Batman is set on finding out what happened.  He goes around the city and checks with the usual suspects to figure out why the lights are out in Gotham.

This is the end of an era for Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo.  If I'm not mistaken, Batman as a series starts over at #1 when DC has their "Rebirth."  I'm not a fan of this type of thing but I get it.  You hope to reign in new readers or bring back previous readers with a shiny new first issue.

This has been an impressive run with long story lines that span many issues.  This final issue was nice bow to put on it.  In fact, this book a person could just pick up and read.  There are references made that may make the reader want to go back and find out more about past events, but overall this book is unto itself and takes place one night in Gotham.

The narrative is wonderful throughout.  The story about the story that ties in and opens up splendidly at the end.  This book gets everyone ready for a rebirth, and opens up for a whole bunch of new stories for Gotham's Dark Knight.  Scott Snyder's writing is absolutely incredible and I look forward to his run on the upcoming "All-Star Batman."

Greg Capullo was excellent in his final issue of Batman.  It had to be a ton of fun to draw, not only Batman, but also so many villains within his rogues gallery.  Greg Capullo is currently working on a comic book series with writer Mark Millar.

What are your thoughts on Batman?  What other comic book series would you like Maskerpiece Theatre to review?  Please comment below or find us on Twitter @MaskedBlogster or @MPTheatre2015

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Comic Book Review: Batman #50 - DC Comics (2016)

"Superheavy" Part Ten
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Greg Capullo

"Epilogue"
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Yanick Paquette

Bruce Wayne is officially Batman again.  This is the concluding confrontation with Mr. Bloom and we are shown what Gotham's newest baddie has in store for the city.

This was a thicker book to tell the tale of the final battle with Mr. Bloom and give us the re-birth of Bruce Wayne in the bat-suit.  He is the strongest and fastest Batman yet after the events that occurred in issue number forty-nine.  The cowl and cape combination gives Batman a very Space Ghost-esque look but I kinda like the way Bats is looking now.  There's a bit of color with the yellow outlining the bat symbol and the utility belt .  The gauntlets look pretty tough as well.  This is definitely not the Batman to mess with.

This is the second to last book in Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's impressive run on perhaps the most popular character in comic book history.  Whomever takes over, there will be large shoes to fill but Snyder and Capullo have left Batman in great shape for the next person to take over.  It has been an absolute pleasure reading their stories and looking at the extraordinary artwork.

I really enjoyed Batman and Jim Gordon's interactions.  Gordon has been Batman for a little while and it was great to see him in the final battle with Mr. Bloom.  This was Gordon's villain.  Mr. Bloom is a great villain and there was so much going on the past few issues.  Well done by all parties.

The Epilogue was a nice touch.  I liked seeing the aftermath of everything and Batman and Gordon continued their dialogue.  Excellent work by Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette.

What are your thoughts on Batman?  Do you like the new suit?  What do you think is next for Gotham's Dark Knight?  Please respond in the comment section below.


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Comic Book Review: Batman #48 - DC Comics (2016)

Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Greg Capullo

Mister Bloom has Jim Gordon in his clutches and is speaking to all of Gotham as he walks tall through the city.  Bruce Wayne meets someone who seems a bit too familiar.

The anticipation is revving up in Batman #48.  Mister Bloom doesn't just have Jim Gordon in his literal clutches but he seems to have much of Gotham City in his figurative clutches.  Bloom promises great power to lucky citizens of Gotham as he has seeds hidden throughout the city.  Bloom's speech throughout the comic was fantastically written.  Bloom makes comparisons to gardens and how appearances are not always what they seem.  It is incredible alliteration to a view of society today.

Bruce Wayne still isn't Batman.  This story should bring the Bat back as, according to what's being read all over the internet, Scott Snyder is leaving the title.  It had already been reported that Greg Capullo would be leaving Batman in the very near future as well.  The Mister Bloom story line is a pretty cool way to go out.  He's an interesting villain as he feels that what he is doing is not only right, but necessary.  I am hoping to find out who may be the new team working on Batman once these superstars leave the title.

What are your thoughts on Batman?  What other comic books would you like Maskerpiece Theatre to review?  Please leave your comments below.

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Comic Book Review: Batman #45 - DC Comics

Written by Scott Snyder

Art by Greg Capullo

Jim Gordon is asked to step down as Batman, Bruce Wayne is still doing what he can to make Gotham a better place for children and Mr. Bloom makes his presence felt.  

We still have Bruce Wayne with amnesia so Batman is just not quite the same.  I keep feeling like we are headed back to getting the brooding Bruce we all love not alas, it's still Jim Gordon.  This isn't the worst story line ever, but I'm just not loving it.  It's feeling like it's going a bit long I keep flipping the pages hoping that Gotham's Knight returns.

Mr. Bloom is a pretty cool villain which makes everything better.  He definitely commands the attention of the audience when he makes an entrance with his lanky body and those long fingers he uses to pierce through bodies.  I'm looking forward to seeing more of him and finding out what he has in store for Gotham.

I keep reading this series even though I'm not overly loving it.  I guess I'll see where it goes as I don't see myself not purchasing this book every month.

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