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Weekly Weeklies: 6/18/14 - Batman Eternal #11 and Futures End #7

Comic Books

Weekly Weeklies: 6/18/14 – Batman Eternal #11 and Futures End #7

Another week means another round of Weekly Weeklies. In Batman Eternal #11 we follow up on what’s been happening with Batgirl and get some rather unusual artwork to boot. Meanwhile in Futures End #7, Frankenstein gets to be a total badass. Let’s check it out together:

WARNING: Spoilers Below!

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Batman Eternal #11


batman-eternal-11-cover

Lead Writer: Tim Seeley

Corresponding Writers: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, John Layman, and Ray Fawkes

Artist: Ian Bertram

Story:

Batgirl has chased down and caught up with Gonzolo Dominquez down in Brazil. He was seen at the site of the Gothan train derailment and Batgirl thinks he has something to do with it. However, someone else wants Dominquez as well: Scorpiana, a member of the Club of Villains (which apparently Alfalfa from the Little Rascals named and who the League of Assassins, Joker, and Batman Inc. had supposedly shut down in Morrison’s run). She’s not planning on taking him alive. Also, Scorpiana really needs to change her name as she’s more like a centipede than a scorpion.

Spoiler Corner:

During an argument with Alfred, Julia reveals that Alfred used to be married and that the two haven’t seen each other in a long time due to Julia being frustrated that her father went to work with Bruce Wayne.

Stephanie Brown researches her father, Cluemaster, and finds information about what led to his descent to villainy. He was fed up that the stupid higher class kept getting rich while his family remained poor. So he became a villain and left clues behind at his crimes to prove he was smarter than anyone else (the Riddler should sue for stealing his style). Batman eventually caught up with him, but let him go when he discovered a young Stephanie watching him beat up her dad.

Batgirl talks with Dominquez and discovers it was not him on the subway platform after all. Apparently, someone associated with the club wanted to look like him and a doctor named Mangaritvite did some sort of weird science thing involving metal bugs to make the guy look like Dominquez.

Scorpiana attacks Batgirl and Dominquez, but they manage to escape from her with a little help from Red Hood (who looks like he is wearing a low quality Deadpool mask) and a very malnourished looking Starfire. Scorpiana herself is defeated by El Gaucho, the Batman of Argentina.

At a Gotham graveyard, Selina Kyle discovers a note from her father left behind at her mother’s grave, who seems to want to reconnect with her. She burns the letter and assures herself that she doesn’t need a father.

Thoughts:

This issue left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, the writing here is fantastic as usual. Tim Seeley nails all of the characters perfectly, understanding exactly who they are and how they should act/talk. The story is a lot of fun, with lots of more twists and surprises throughout to keep things interesting, and great character moments and dialogue. The pacing is tight and story flows well from scene to scene without a missing a beat. It’s fantastic in that sense.

On the other hand, there is the artwork by Ian Bertram. Tonally and in some regards, his style reminds me of Chris Burnham and Frank Quitely and honestly, I don’t really like those artists much and that extends to Bertram’s work. However, even if I were a fan of his work, his art style doesn’t really fit with the tone or feel of this series. Everyone’s drawn so unusually; featuring outlandish body physiques and large, soulless looking eyes that are far more creepy than they should be. Heck, in some areas, his art reminded me of a horror manga. Also, there are few inconsistencies in the narrative and a couple of costumes aren’t drawn very well like I hinted at in the spoilers.

Best Moment:

batman-eternal-11-bad-dream
To be fair, this might be a bad dream.

Batman Eternal #11


      7.5Overall Score

      Futures End #7


      futures-end-7

      Writers: Brian Azzarello, Jeff Lemire, Dan Jurgens, and Keith Giffen

      Artist: Aaron Lopresti

      Story:

      Frankenstein and the gang run afoul of the Phantom Zone prisoner, Black Adam. Lois Lane gets a special visitor who yells at her. Plus… lots of other things as well. There was really a lot going on in the story here.

      Spoiler Corner:

      During the fight with Black Adam, it’s revealed that Superman is the one who locked him away in the Phantom Zone. Frankenstein and crew manage to escape the Zone and Black Adam (Frank losing an arm along the way) and arrive at the wrecked ship of Stormwatch, where they appear to be all dead.

      Lois Lane’s visitor is Madison Payne, the girlfriend of the former Red Robin, who wants the truth out of her. During the visit, we learn that Madison is the daughter of Maxwell Payne, who had sold weapons and information to the enemy during the war. Madison ultimately demands that Lois leave her and her boyfriend alone, but that seems highly unlikely.

      Dr. Yamazake continues to discuss with Jason his plans for a transporter that could revolutionize the world, while we see Ronnie at memorial for the war looking at his mother’s name on it.

      On Cadmus Island, Slade Wilson, AKA Deathstroke, is teamed up with Grifter for a special mission at the request of Mr. Faraday. Also teaming up with them is this powerful psychic young girl named Fifty Sue (get it?).

      Terry continues listening in on the criminals when he is interrupted by Mr. Terrific, who has seen through his disguise. After a brief fight, Terry is forced to flee and leave been the remains of the robot that attacked him. Both Mr. Terrific and Plastique are very curious and shock by this discovery, especially Plastique since the robot still looks like her.

      Thoughts:

      It’s hard to really talk about this issue. It’s good for sure and the story is starting to heat up, but it’s also a bit more of the same like last issue. The writing is fine, the characters are fine, there are some great moments — but it’s also slow in some parts and some storylines are still setting things up that should be further along by now. The artwork is good as well, but there’s not much to say on it. That’s kind of what this issue is. It’s intriguing, but there’s not much to talk about that hasn’t already been said for previous issues.

      Best Moment:

      futures-end-7-electricity
      You fool. He’s an electric-type. You only helped him!

      Futures End #7


          7.5Overall Score

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