Review – Absolute Batman #9: Terror in Ark M
Ray: It never fails to amaze me just how impressive the Absolute books are, packing a level of tension very rarely seen in mainstream comics. That continues this issue, with a brilliant segment where two Emirs, the leaders of Bialya and Khandaq, put aside their long-standing enmity and cut a peace deal that will change the world – only to open the door and discover an absolutely horrific Bane waiting for them, ensuring that the peace deal fails and one not only keeps the status quo, but escalates it because it'll benefit his masters. Bane's always been a massive threat to Batman, but it's been a very long time since he had this level of menace. And back in Gotham, Bruce is focused on a much more pressing issue – his friend Waylon Jones has gone missing, with the man seemingly disappearing off the face of the world. And all indications are that he's been taken deep below – to the mysterious facility known as Ark M. The fixer. Via DC Comics.
Bruce now has a much bigger support network, including Alfred and Bruce's old friends like Ozzy, Eddie, and Harvey. Their first planning mission doesn't particularly go well, but Bruce gets what he needs to set out. Similar to Superman and the Kents in Absolute Superman, there are hints of the relationship Bruce and Alfred could have had in another world, but a distance between them. Scott Snyder's worldbuilding is incredibly strong, but it wouldn't be what it is without the stunning artwork of Nick Dragotta. His Bane design is horrific, and the depiction of what the real Ark M looks like is incredibly menacing. It all comes together into one of the best Bat-books I've read in a long time – maybe since Scott Snyder's last run on this title. There are so many other great beats, including Martha Wayne and the former Mayor Gordon, and a flashback to Bruce's relationship with Selina. I'm hoping Snyder has a very long time planned on this title.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Geek Dad
4 days ago
- Geek Dad
Shout! TV ‘Double Take' Book Lovers Day Giveaway
Shout! TV has a new episode of their original series Double Take , featuring author Mallory O'Meara hosting a double feature of The Loveless and The Decline of Western Civilization Pt. 2 in celebration of Book Lovers Day on 8/9. And that means that Shout! TV has an additional treat for our readers: a giveaway! One lucky reader can win a physical media bundle featuring The Decline of Western Civilization Part II Blu-ray, The Company Of Wolves 4K, Ginger Snaps Blu-ray, Natural Born Killers 4K, and Mallory's book Girls Make Movies . For a chance to win, simply fill out the form below. Entries will run until 11:59 pm PDT on Tuesday, August 12th, after which time a winner will be randomly drawn. Sorry, U.S. residents only. And don't forget to tune into Shout! Movies on 8/9 for a new episode of Double Take hosted by Mallory O'Meara in celebration of Book Lovers Day! Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Geek Dad
5 days ago
- Geek Dad
Review – Poison Ivy #35: Blood in the Garden
Poison Ivy #36 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: One of the most impressive things that G. Willow Wilson has done over this extended run is how she's expanded Ivy's world. She's gone from a criminal with a minimal supporting cast to a cosmic antihero with deep ties to the Green, several key friends and frenemies around Gotham, and several lovers and ex-lovers. But now, it's all crashing down. The authorities have captured Killer Croc, her old flame Bella Garten is leading the Order of the Green Knight and perverting her message, and Janet is dying of a mysterious illness. The Gardener is by far the most pressing threat, and Ivy knows she has to confront her directly – but first she seeks out help from Harley, who is busy with her own business in Throatcutter Hill. I'm not quite a fan of the whole open relationship thing Ivy and Harley have going on, but every time they're on screen together it's clear why these two are one of DC's most dynamic couples. Desperate measures. Via DC Comics. And speaking of dynamic, Pamela and Bella are just as interesting – because whatever the two of them have has curdled into hate over the years. Ivy will never forgive Bella for manipulating her and altering her against her will back in the first major story they shared, and Bella resents Ivy for abandoning her and abandoning their cause. The face-off between the two of them almost feels Shakespearean at times, as they try to sort out if there can ever be a partnership between them again – but then Ivy does something truly shocking that pretty much reminds us that she truly is a villain at her core when she needs to be. Wilson has always gone back and forth with just how far Ivy is willing to go, and that ambiguity is part of why this series works so well. Its Ivy is deeply unpredictable, and her enemies truly have something to fear from her. Very interested to see what the next act looks like. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Geek Dad
5 days ago
- Geek Dad
Review – JSA #10: From Here to Eternity
JSA #10 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: Jeff Lemire has been building a really compelling new era for the JSA since this run began, fusing the classic era with the next generation and bringing the Infinity Inc crew back to the fore. But it's been a run that plays for keeps – with a sinister alliance of the JSA's arch-enemies infiltrating the team from within, neutralizing several members, replacing Obsidian with an impostor, and even killing off Wildcat. But now it's all on the table, as Johnny Sorrow has revealed himsef to his 'teammates' and is preparing the final attack on the members who are still standing. And Wotan continues his search for the Spear of Destiny, locked away by Hawkman ages ago. There are some interesting rifts within the villains, though – Ruby, the daughter of the original Red Lantern, seems to have slightly more noble motivations for joining up with this nasty crew than you might think. Lost beyond. Via DC Comics. But the most exciting characters in this issue are…the ones who are already dead. We've been following Wildcat since he lost his last life and headed down to the afterlife – where he was met with countless other figures from the past of the JSA. But there's one character who doesn't seem to belong there – a young woman who is the new Kid Eternity. What's her story? How did she wind up with these powers? She's as confused as anyone else, and she follows the older heroes to a mysterious figure who lays out the history of this mantle – with some surprising faces from the past appearing. I've always been a fan of this very strange character, who has made appearances everywhere from the Teen Titans to Vertigo, and this new incarnation has a lot of promise. With subplots spanning multiple different realms, this is one of the biggest-scale stories we've seen in the JSA franchise in a while, even eclipsing Johns's last run. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
