12.24.2008
Tonight you get your Christmas Gift from Darkseid Revenge. I give to you an in-depth review of Batman #683 which is part of the Last Rites arc and serves as the bridge between the Batman R.I.P. story and Batman’s place in the Final Crisis event. The story is told from Alfred’s perspective and given to the reader as we follow a origin story in Batman #682 to the present condition of Batman in #683. I’m home for the Holiday so I am going to give you the down and dirty on this. Grant Morrison is back at what he does best and that is making Batman more Godly than the Gods wreaking havoc on the world in Final Crisis, before I get to that let me spin this web for you of how we got where we are.
Okay so what did we really get out of R.I.P.? Nothing! Batman went through the ringer at the hands of the Black Glove and came out virtually unscathed. In the minds of Morrison no harm could possibly be done to the caped crusader because given enough time Batman beats anything and everything you can throw at him right, wait for it because that is going to ring so true in mere moments. Last Rites #682 is really nothing more than a crossover and Morrison’s way of putting a stamp on the character as he gives Batman a clear origin story and a very tight alibi for a timeline that gives Batman fans a sense of relief, finally! This story moves right into Final Crisis on the last couple of pages as we get to see Batman encased in some sort of deprivation tank or another. I could have sworn Batman just went through something like this? I am pretty sure this is how he was able to beat the Black Glove, so why not use it again against the gods of Apokolips.
In Batman #683 it is more origin story and perhaps the best couple of pages where Talia and Batman are getting it on and obviously in the throes of procreating Damian. The better part of this issue though is the mix memories as compared to what Morrison laid for a foundation of the character in #682 tearing down that fine timeline we all thanked him for. Under Torture Batman is still invincible Desaad even in his new disguise can’t compete with Batman because Batman is able to make his memories weapons as he puts it. Why would the Apokolips gods led by Darkseid view Batman as the ultimate genetic material to breed an unstoppable army? I’m thinking your best bet would be Superman, who knows maybe even Captain Marvel, but like I said Morrison feels Batman is the strongest one there is. And Batman proves it by beating the Lump (Clayface) in his mind and then managing to get the Lump to help him free himself from his bondage. Batman’s memories are obviously even too stressful for clones to handle, it smells of one of those cliché moments we have seen before with very powerful characters and their powers overloading a person trying to steal them. I love Batman, but word of advice Morrison, if we are tired of seeing Superman perform unimaginable feats only to then lose in battles thanks to a piece of rock, I definitely don’t want to see Batman, a peak human doing the unimaginable.
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12.18.2008
Final Crisis #5 really revved up the story. For 4 issues we have seen the build-up of the return of lord Darkseid, I for one am disappointed with the choice of body, Turpin? Boo! Either way though as he is so vocal about in this issue, it’s not about the body, but it’s will and Darkseid in not just Darkseid, all things are one in Darkseid and when he speaks the universe speaks and when he acts he acts with the will of the universe. And his actions are taking Earth right down the sinkhole into hell. I guess it really is better “to reign in hell than serve in heaven.” Well take out your dollars and your reading glasses because the Earth forces are mounting and they are ready to strike back with a little help from the reincarnated New Gods that is. Remember the one Monitor who was banished and mind erased? Yeah apparently there is a larger role for the monitor to play in this doomsday scenario as well. There is a bit of required reading to understand this last bit and you need to read Superman Beyond to understand this, so go take a read and learn more about who this first character in the New Fifth World is! Not like you have to go far, check out the left panel and find all things Crisis so far, then go down to your local comic shop and stimulate the economy by purchasing back issues of Final Crisis.My site is not a reason to stop and buy, its a glean of information and there is no information to glean if you don't purchase the artwork boys and girls. Oh yeah, Lantern fans there is also some revelations to what role these guys have to play in all of this, check thatout as well!
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Revelations really has some edge to it and this Cain and Able showdown between Cain (Vandal Savage) and Able (The Spectre) has almost come to it’s storied conclusion and I can’t say how saddened I am by this fact. In this 4th of 5 issues the Spectre is finally brought to his knees by Cain who is wielding the Spear of Destiny and the only person who can save him is Renee Montoya, the new Question. That’s right for some reason the Spear of Destiny has no affect on her and Radiant can’t really tell her why. With all the faithful becoming so doubtful, you would think God would want to put his hands somewhere in this action, but as Radiant expresses, Darkseid has made this a battle for God’s greatest gift, Free Will, and mankind has to win this one themselves, but how do you beat an immortal man wielding the Spear of Destiny? Renee Montoya has to figure this one out. But wait there is more as Cain isn’t going to let this all happen without putting the sense of urgency into the mix, The Spectre has not only succumb in battle thanks to the will of Crispus Allen, but he has all but succumb to the Anti-Life equation. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen in this conclusion, can you? For now check out these scans of the action.
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