Justice League #39 Review By Anthony Andujar Jr

This is it! The ultimate fate of the universe will be decided as the war between Justice and Doom draws to a close!

The Justice League have traveled to other dimensions, fought monsters beyond time and space, but nothing could prepare them for the final battle. With Martian Manhunter finally free from Apex Lex’s grasp, will his return be enough to stop Perpetua and Apex Lex once and for all?

The writing: Within the last decade, Snyder has always gone big with his stories, and given his time on Justice League, he definitely has. During this run, the League has been pitted against ancient ocean lords, cosmic gods from the 6th dimension, and beings from beyond time and space. With each installment things escalated higher and higher, making this title a real treat to read with each installment. In this final issue of Snyder’s run on Justice League, it is bittersweet. The League find themselves in a position that readers will wonder how they will come back from because I certainly pondered about what transpired during their battle with perpetua. The first part of the book is bombastic and kinetic, with everything moving at a pace that left me wanting to see what happens next, and then the unexpected happened.

Part of me wanted to see how Snyder would have handled the aftermath within this title, but given that Venditti is taking over the title, and with rumors about a Dark Nights Metal sequel, I can see why he may have written the last issue of his run the way he did. It’s hard not to discuss the polarizing ending because, in some aspects, it feels very Grant Morrison, but in another way, it seems pretty dark in regards to how things turned out. Because what transpires is simple yet complex in regards to the message that the book presents. The idea that the fight for the Justice of everything is never-ending, and is something that many should aspire to do, be it helping your fellow man or opposing the powers that be to provide a better tomorrow. I’m left wondering whether or not the events of Snyder’s run will be acknowledged in Venditti’s upcoming run on the title. Now with that said, is the book terrible? No. Could it have been better? Possibly. Given the rumors and announcements that Snyder has planned for 2020, I’m sure he’ll answer all the questions. My only gripe is that I wished that he had wrapped things up fully in this book instead of previewing how he’ll truly wrap things up in the book that he and longtime collaborator Greg Capullo will be working on.

In regards to the art department, Jorge Jimenez, Daniel Sampere and Juan Albarran each stick the landing for this final issue of Snyder’s run. The layouts all feel grand, with every panel drawn with a lot of detail and subtlety that makes it worth rereading just for the art alone. Hi-Fi’s colors enhance the artwork even further giving it the right cosmic flair to match the story of this book. Napolitano did an excellent job lettering the book, giving the art room to breathe, while also placing the narration perfectly with the moments that matter most.

Overall, this final entry on Snyder’s Justice League title could have been better, but that doesn’t take away from the book being an enjoyable read, and I think that it’s worthwhile picking up for new comic book day.

The Flash #87 Review By Anthony Andujar Jr

Will the Flash succeed in finding balance within the speed force? What will become of The Flash and Captain Cold’s rivalry after their last confrontation? And who has it out for The Flash, and what does that mean for his future!?

Joshua Williamson has provided a new dynamic to The Flash that continues to add to the characters legacy. This issue was a very enjoyable tea for a variety of reasons. The Flash and Captain Cold friendly rivalry is no more, pushing these characters into new territory that makes it exciting to explore. Williamson delivers some fantastic character work and it shows in his treatment of Captain Cold, who is more vicious than ever before. It’s interesting seeing The Flash being in a place that he doesn’t often reside such as Arkham Asylum, despite not showcasing too much to a point where it becomes a Batman book. The plot is fantastic and establishes a potentially new status quo that will shake this book up for months to come.

In regards to the art, Christian Duce delivers what might possibly be his best work. Duce hammers the story with fantastic layouts, and we’ll rendered character illustrations that look powerful in every sense of the word. There are some panels where Duce showcases some beautiful contrasts with his shadows that make the book look so damn good that it’s amazing that he is able to showcase quality with every issue he lends his talents to. While Duce’s layouts are gorgeous to look at between gutters, Luis Gurrero’s colors blanket every page with vibrancy, making the book worthwhile to read, and with Steve Wands lettering, it’s a no brainer. This was a very superb issue that was enjoyable to read from start to finish. I highly recommend adding this to your pull list for new comic book day

Batman #87 Review By Anthony Andujar Jr

As Batman investigates the culprits that caused the assassination attempt in Gotham, two familiar faces have returned to plot against a new foe, called the Designer.

    

What does the Designer have planned for Gotham? Can Batman and Catwoman discover who the designer is before the designer finds them?

Tynion has brought back two characters that haven’t been seen in some time in regards to the main Batman title. What makes this issue interesting is seeing how Tynion continues to handle the dynamic between Batman and Catwoman, which is handled beautifully. There is a sense of playfulness and concern between the two love birds, and yet, they are able to switch roles seamlessly that feels natural to what an actual couple dies when trying to solve problems, and recognizing signs of concern and worry. What’s also makes this book great is that Tynion shows that he’s willing to play ball with other writers in regards to the status quo that’s going on at DC Comics. Jim Gordon isn’t around for this current case since he has been infected by the Batman Who Laughs, and if you want to know where he is, you can read Williamson’s Batman/Superman for that. Despite the absence of Gordon, Tynion is able to make this book reader-friendly, while also acknowledging continuity in regards to Kings run, and Batman/Superman by having Bullock as the commissioner stand-in for the GCPD. Yet despite acknowledging continuity, Tynion is still able to forge new elements that don’t feel like a retread to what has come before, making this story a worthwhile read.

Guillem March’s artwork is very dynamic, providing creative layouts that are cleverly illustrated, causing the reader to pause in awe before moving onto the next page. Despite the narrative behind the Riddler’s new appearance, March does a good job at illustrating Riddler in a new creepy fashion. Morey’s coloring really makes March’s layouts pop with cinematic flair, making this latest installment feel just as important as the last issue. Cowels lettering is the cherry on top of the cake, making the book readable without any clutter between the word balloons and the artwork. The artwork is bombastic, the writing is amazing, and readers get to see Batman and Catwoman in interesting territory in regards to the current status quo of the title. I highly recommend picking this issue up for new comic book day.

Batman # 86 Review by Anthony Andujar Jr

It’s a new day and a new era for Batman as he pursues his mission to rebuild Gotham into a better city.

Still reeling from the events that took place in the city of Bane arc, Batman focuses his sights on a group of assassins plotting to shift the very foundations that Gotham stands on. Who are these assassins? What do they want with Gotham, and what do they want with Batman?

It’s interesting to see how much Tynion has written about Batman in other titles such as Detective Comics, Batman/TMNT, and other titles related to Batman. He’s written Batman in various books but has never had a run on the solo Batman title up until now. After Tom King wrapped up his tenure on Batman, I was curious to see how Tynion would tackle the aftermath that Batman was left to deal with after the City of Bane arc. Thankfully, Tynion is able to come into his own while making the most of the status quo that the Dark Knight is currently in. The story is well-paced as Tynion establishes the state of Batman and Catwoman’s relationship, while also introducing some classic characters that haven’t been seen for some time that pose a threat for the caped crusader.

Some of the best moments within this book that Tynion tackles is Batman’s relationship with Lucius Fox now that a certain presence is no longer around to help him with his war against crime. It’s interesting to see how Tynion is able to really dig deep with how Batman feels about his current environment as he struggles to stay focused on the present while dwelling on the tragedy of yesterday. Tynion provides an interesting direction for Batman that will leave readers eager to see what he’ll do next within this title.

In regards to the art department, Tony Daniel brings his A-game to this issue, providing fantastic scenery with each panel and page. His art style is striking and will immediately catch the eyes of readers as they travel through the pages. Daniel demonstrates that he is still fantastic at displaying mundane scenes such as people chatting at a gala in a way that doesn’t come off boring while also delivering awesome action to match. Daniel’s artwork coupled with Miki’s inks, Morey’s colors and Cowles lettering, the art department successfully set the tone for this new run as the pages are filled with energy, atmosphere, and power that will leave readers wanting more from this book. It’s safe to say that this is a solid issue within this title that promises many things to come for Batman and readers alike. I absolutely recommend picking this issue up for new comic book day.

Detective Comics # 1019 Review By Anthony Andujar Jr

Batman’s search for the holiday murders had finally come to an end.

Now face to face with the cult behind all of the countless deaths within Gotham City, Batman will face his greatest challenge yet. What secrets will Batman discover? What is this cult’s mission? Why are they carrying out these acts of violence that shake Batman to his core? And what will it take to stop them?

What I enjoyed this issue is that even though Batman often succeeds in solving the cases that he is tasked with, he is still a man that understands that even he has his limits. There are some things that are beyond comprehension, and there are some things that no one can prepare themselves for, and I feel that Tomasi really highlighted that in this issue. I really enjoyed this two-part murder mystery story, where Batman faces off against pagan Norse cults and beings. While Batman had faced off against cults, demonic beings, and godly beings, it’s not often that Batman faces off against the level of villainy that stems from the darkest parts of Norse mythology. But what makes this book worthwhile is Batman recognizing his humanity and vulnerability throughout the entirety of this case.

In regards to the art department, Godlewski’s art delivers in providing art that matches the tone and atmosphere that Tomasi was aiming for in regards to this story. Godlewski succeeds in providing layouts and scenes that showcase introspective moments that rival the bombastic action within this issue. Coupled with Baron’s beautiful winter coloring and Leigh’s lettering, the art team sticks the landing in crafting a holiday detective story that is enjoyable from beginning to end.

You can read my reviews on other comics here: http://fanboyfactor.com/author/anthony-andujar/

Happy New Year! Detective Comics issue 1018 Review by Anthony Andujar Jr

First of all, Happy New Year! Its 2020 and I figured I'd try to be consistent in my review posts on here! I hope you all have a good start to this year and do your very best! Now, lets get to the review!

As Batman wraps up his nightly patrol, apprehending criminals and muggers alike, a string of murders have occurred, leaving a trail of mangled bodies throughout the streets of Gotham.

But who is behind these murders? What ancient evil is plaguing the citizens of Gotham during the holidays? What are they after? Can Batman solve this case before the holidays turn into a funeral service?

This is a fun holiday two-parter that Tomasi and company have put together just in time for the holiday season. It’s interesting to see Tomasi introduce a new character that despite possibly being a villain of the week bad guy, could possibly reappear in future holiday issues. For some reason, this ancient villain seems like he could have appeared in the 90’s Batman animated series due to his overall appearance, but then again, that’s what makes this story great since the whole issue itself feels like it could have been an episode within that classic Timm/Dini series. There are some nice interactions between Batman and the GCPD in addition to some cute moments with Batman and his dogs, Ace and Titus. What makes this issue interesting to me is how Tomasi continues to maintain the duality of both Bruce Wayne and Batman despite acknowledging the fallout that occurred within the main title.

One thing that got me curious is the ramifications that happened from the main Batman title subtle being referenced within this title as a certain character doesn’t seem to appear within this issue. Yet despite the acknowledgment of the mainline title, Tomasi does a great job at moving the story forward without drowning the reader with heavy exposition, making this a fun two-part murder mystery. The art by Godlewski is great and coupled with David Baron’s colors in addition to Rob Leigh’s lettering, makes this issue a good murder mystery to read for the holiday season. It’s a perfect addition to the holiday season, and when you read that while having Batman Returns be apart of the holiday marathon, how could you not add this to your pull list?

Batman: Last Knight on Earth Book 3 Review by Anthony Andujar Jr

As Batman stumbles through the dystopian landscape of Gotham, he and his allies must prevent Omega from initiating his plan to take over the hearts and minds of life on Earth.

But who will side with Batman? Who will help Batman in his confrontation against Omega? Who is Omega and what is his ultimate goal? As Batman charges towards Omega, will he survive this fight? Who lives? Who dies? What will be left of Gotham when the dust settles as this epic Snyder/Capullo saga comes to a close?

When reading this 60-page final, I had to pace myself, trying to digest what I read. On my first initial reading of the final issue, I was surprised at some of the decisions that were taken by Snyder and Capullo, because some of those decisions were expected, while others were unexpected. So you’re probably wondering whether or not I think that this was good or not and the answer is, it’s actually not bad at all. I can say I definitely prefer this book over The Batman Who Laughs mini-series given that it does a better job at executing the concept of a Batman-inspired character gone evil. I think it’s safe to say that I’ve been a bit fatigued by the Batman Who Laughs since he’s been somewhat overly exposed to a point where it doesn’t feel as special as he once was. That doesn’t mean that he’s not a cool character, it’s just that when he’s overexposed and overused, it starts to lose any feeling of importance due to that overexposure. Omega is something different, and that is a good thing. I kinda had predictions on who or what Omega was and it wasn’t a surprise in regards to who he was. What was a surprise is how Snyder revealed Omega and how he came to be that actually surprised me more than I realized. I won’t go into spoiler territory since I feel it’s better for readers to have the chance to discover the reveal themselves. Now, what I can say is that this book was actually good. When I thought about all of the concepts, the reveals, some of the twists and character relationships, it all felt natural to the development of all of the characters, and given that it’s a Black Label book where Snyder and Capullo get to take liberties that they couldn’t entirely do in their main Batman books, it was cool to see them experiment with their ideas and execute it onto the page.

I feel that this is a fitting conclusion to what Snyder has to say about Batman, and after everything that he has developed since his Batman run, it feels like a huge farewell (maybe) to Batman. I don’t know if this will necessarily be Snyder’s literal farewell to Batman entirely, but with what he has laid out within this book, it definitely feels like it is and that is good. Admittedly there are some things that could have potential to be a backdoor pilot should Snyder ever have that itch to tell another Batman story, but given what he and Capullo crafted for this story, it just feels right to end it the way it did.

The story and the pace of the plot flowed nicely making it hard for me to not speed through it all due to how well it’s written. The characters are all fun to see, and the interactions between Batman, Diana, and all of the other allies that he has rediscovered throughout this journey is handled really well. The confrontation between Batman and Omega is brutal and enjoyable to read. My only gripe is that in some ways I wished Omega was someone else, and I only say this because I’ve noticed a trend that’s been happening within the last few years where there is always an evil future version of a character that is under the guise of the predecessor which is kinda been done a lot. I feel that Snyder does a better job on this book than he did on Dark Nights Metal. Looking back on Dark Nights Metal, it has a lot of cool concepts, and a ton of awesome stories came from that book, but some of the concepts like Barbatos didn’t really stick the landing like it should have compared to other concepts like the Batman Who Laughs, and the Dark Multiverse. But with what Snyder was able to accomplish it felt appropriate to the story that he was weaving since this is a Batman story about Batman, and why he is and always will be an interesting character regardless of the time and era that he resides in.

In regards to the art department, Capullo, Glapion, and Plascensia must have had a fun time drawing, inking and coloring this whole series because man oh man does this book look amazing! This might be their best work on Batman (that is if it is their final stint in Batman). It’s surprising that they have managed to one-up themselves and maintain consistency surpassing what they have done before in regards to Batman. From the page layouts to the action, to the intimate moments with characters who are seeing each other again for the first time in a long time, it’s all wonderfully illustrated, inked and colored perfectly. There is no complaints to be found and gladly there doesn’t have to be since the art department really brought their A-game to his finale.

This book seems to be a fitting farewell to Batman, Snyder, and Capullo. Snyder, Capullo, Glapion, and FCO have created a story that encapsulates all of the things that make Batman who he is as a character amongst comic fans and the pop culture landscape. It’s amazing to see that this team has stayed with Batman for a decade, with a style that is recognizable to many Batman fans of this day and age. If I were to look at this entire Batman run that Snyder and Co has built, I’d say it rivals Bendis’s entire Ultimate Spider-Man run. It’s very rare in this day and age to get a team of people to have a consistent run from beginning to end. Even though Last Knight On Earth is a Black Label book that can be considered a self-contained story, it is also the kind of book that concludes everything that we had seen from this team since the beginning of their time on Batman. This might be their most crowning achievement and they should be commended for it. If it isn’t obvious, add this to your pull list for new comic book day. If you’re a Batman fan, if you’re a Snyder/ Capullo fan, if you’re a fan of big stories that are self-contained but could easily blend in seamlessly as a finale to a series written and drawn by your favorite writers/ artist team, then I think this is the book for you. I definitely recommend getting this book. And if this is Snyder and Capullo’s last time on Batman, what I can say is thank you for giving your all on this book, it’s been a hell of a run.

You can read all of my latest reviews here: http://fanboyfactor.com/author/anthony-andujar/

Justice League issue 38 Review by Anthony Andujar Jr

The War between Justice and Doom is nearing its conclusion, and with a renewed sense of power and hope, the Justice League are able to shift the tides against the cosmically powered Lex Luthor.

Although the heroes are successfully staving off Luthor’s army, there is still one powerful threat than the army of Perpetua and that is Lex Luthor himself. Can the League succeed in defeating the divine power of Lex Luthor? Will they succeed in bringing hope back to the universe? And who will die to save their own?

I think it’s safe to state that while this arc has been fantastic, it had its moments where it dragged on at times, but that doesn’t make this arc bad. In fact, for the majority of this Justice/Doom arc, it has been a stellar read. But I feel that after the last issue, Snyder and company are letting loose and giving everything they have into these last two issues, and man does the team on this book deliver. Finally, readers get to see the league go toe to toe, exchanging fisticuffs with the newly power Lex Luthor, and man does he make quick work of many of his foes. It’s interesting thinking about how much Lex Luthor has grown and changed as a character. During Johns’s new 52 run, readers had the opportunity to witness Luthor become one of the best heroes and now, we get to see Luthor on the extreme end, prove himself to be an even more terrifying villain than ever before.

Snyder provides a ton of fast-paced action, and great moments with characters throughout the book (Jarro included) that continues to prove why this might possibly be the best Justice League run thus far. Now admittedly, there are times where the dialogue can be a little cheesy at times, but it doesn’t detract from the plot itself. Despite that minor nitpick, I think Snyder and company did a good job at building up to this huge slugfest between the League and Luthor, making it a fun read from start to finish. This issue is the kind of issue that you could read so fast and not realize it, which is a good sign since the book was well-paced and provided a lot of payoff with everything that Snyder and Tynion built from the beginning.

Jorge Jimenez and Daniel Sempere must have had a heck of a time illustrating this issue because man, you can feel the passion through every page layout and panels. Anytime a character is exchanging punches or moving across the page, it felt like it was made with a labor of love, which is why this issue was fantastic. Jimenez and Sempere, coupled with Albarran’s inks and Sanchez’s colors might be one of the best issues throughout the series. Its vibrant looks astonishing and is iconic enough to leave a strong lasting impression. Napolitano does an excellent job at making the lettering fun to read through, which provides the reader with a reading experience that is enjoyable and not a chore to get through.

It’s safe to say that if you have not read this Justice League series, then it is imperative to get your head checked and go back to reading this run. There hasn’t been a single issue in this series that has been a letdown. It has been consistent in its quality of pacing and storytelling that it would be impossible to not binge through. With one issue left, it is without a doubt one of the best Justice League books in a long while that is worth your time and investment. This is a definite recommendation for new comic book day.

   You can read all of the latest reviews here: http://fanboyfactor.com/author/anthony-andujar/

Doomsday Clock issue 12 Review by Anthony Andujar Jr

The fate of all existence rests in the hands of Dr. Manhattan and Superman. Everything across time and space has lead to this very moment.

What transpires after this fated meeting, will change everything, forever. The final chapter to this modern epic finally comes to a close.

Looking back on this entire series, it is amazing how much time has passed since issue 1 all the way to this final issue. In regards to the concept of time and the themes and narratives that Johns has been writing throughout this series, I’d say it’s effective since time helps to provide perspective, causing readers to have a different outlook with each installment that was released. But now we’re finally here, and without spoiling everything, It is safe to say that not only will this read better in trade, but, I think this series successfully sticks the landing in ways that met expectations, while also surprising readers in ways that will surpass what anyone could have imagined things to turn out. If there is anything that I can say that this book does so well, is provide perspective.

Throughout the entirety of this series, Johns has been exploring the different perspectives of the Watchmen characters and the DC Universe, while also providing perspective from a meta standpoint, that makes this an enjoyable series that was full of genuine twists that I don’t believe many saw coming, and that is a good thing. I don’t know how Alan Moore would feel about this book, but I’d like to think that this would be something that he’d actually appreciate…(maybe). I feel that Johns did an amazing job channeling Alan Moore’s characters, while also blending those concepts and narratives seamlessly with the DC Universe in ways that felt, unbelievably natural.

It is an odd time to live where there are two sequels to Watchmen, such as the HBO series, and this mini-series, both of which are refreshing commentary on the characters of both universes, while also providing interesting commentary that reflects the world we live in. Despite the huge delays between each issue, and some of the doubts that developed and was reassured throughout the entirety of this series, it was surely worth the wait. Johns shows his absolute appreciation for the various characters of these existing universes, and I can’t help but feel that no one would have been able to achieve a feat such as this.

Johns has written something that feels complementary to a piece of work that for the longest time, was thought taboo to make a sequel. I was very concerned that this book wouldn’t be able to fulfill the amount of story needed to give it a proper conclusion, but miraculously, Johns managed to stick the landing in a way that makes anyone and everyone that is a fan of both universes find appreciation for what has been achieved here. I have no doubt that this book will possibly divide people, but I also have no doubt that this book will be talked about for years to come as an amazing book. I’m definitely in the positive camp that feels that this was a worthy successor to Watchmen in the same way that Fury Road is to Mad Max as 2049 is to Blade Runner. It is interesting witnessing properties by legendary creators have successful follow-ups by worthy successors that genuinely care for the worlds that was crafted and try to expand on them that feel natural and not gimmicky.

It is a testament to what Johns is able to do as a writer, who is capable of taking on characters that have such weight to their name and succeeding in making something that was nearly impossible to fathom as a book, let alone a concept. What Johns, Gary Frank, Brad Anderson and the rest of the team on this book has accomplished is truly a sight to read. If it hasn’t been obvious I’d highly recommend this book as one to add to the pull list for new comic book day, but even better, get it in trade because it will read better. This was an amazing book that many times provided many doubts and fears, yet despite delays, exceeded expectations, and delivered a story that will be talked out for many years to come.

 You can read all the latest reviews here: http://fanboyfactor.com/author/anthony-andujar/

Detective Comics issue 1017 Review by Anthony Andujar Jr

An orphan runs away from the Wayne Orphanage, scared for his life, lost and alone in the cold snowy streets of Gotham.

In the midst of a case, Batman is alerted by Lucius about the runaway and decides to investigate. Why did the child run away? What was he running away from? And what can Batman do to help an orphan in search of security?

Tom Taylor is writing this one-shot, and if there is one thing that Tom Taylor is superb at, is writing one-shots that are heartbreakingly good. Whether it’s his work on Injustice or Batman, he always delivers in telling street-level stories that have heart. The story focuses on Orphans, a topic that Batman is far too familiar with, and one that Taylor centers the narrative on. There are plenty of great moments throughout the book that parallels past and present experiences in Batman’s life, that provide introspective moments between Batman, and his family. This is a very grounded, very human Batman story that doesn’t have any supervillains, just real-life issues. It’s a breather issue which is a nice break for people who probably want to jump right in before a new arc starts.

In regards to the art department, Fernando Blanco’s layouts are superb. His art style has aesthetic elements that feel timely yet modern. The way he draws action and subtleties make this issue worth reading. Coupled with John Kalisz colors, and Travis Lamham’s lettering, they’re able to deliver a very heartfelt story. One that reminds readers why they like Batman after all these years. It’s safe to say that this is a worthwhile one-shot that readers should definitely add to their pull list for new comic book day.

You can read my latest reviews here: http://fanboyfactor.com/author/anthony-andujar/

Justice League issue 37 review by Anthony Andujar Jr

It’s part 8 of the Justice /Doom War, and for all intents and purposes, it is a literal war as all of the heroes and all of the villains from all of time and space clash!

With the armies of Doom and the armies of Justice face-off, the core members of the League hatch a plan to reconnect with the people of Earth and restore hope in the midst of cosmic despair. What becomes of the Legion of Doom? What becomes of the Justice League? How can the league successfully restore faith into the universe amongst the grips of Doom?

We’re only two more issues away from Snyder wrapping up his run on Justice League, and it certainly feels that way. Everything that Snyder has developed since the beginning of his run has culminated to this last arc, cramming in as much as possible within this issue. Whether it’s interactions with the various Leagues from time and space or the power of Perpetual and Luthor, Snyder attempts to dump as much story as possible to get the very best out of this arc.

This issue definitely has some fun moments where readers get to witness the various armies of Justice trade blows with the armies of Doom. There are some very quirky moments with other characters and some very enjoyable scenes between different characters that made this series worth reading since its inception. If there is anything that I’d complain about, it’s that the Year of the Villain tie one just feel disconnected from this series, making it feel as though there isn’t as much impact as there should be. At times it feels like it wore out it’s welcome to a certain degree, but that doesn’t mean there was no good stories that came out of that neither (such as Detective Comics to name a few). Snyder swings for the fences and tries to deliver everything that he had in development, providing some good payoffs for majority of this book. But what really makes this issue shine the most, is the stupendous art!

Jorge Jimenez returns in this issue to provide his amazing illustrative work, that always makes any issue of Justice League enjoyable. Jimenez renders each action set piece and character interactions with fantastic line work, delivering some solid layouts that continue to make this book appeal, especially in this issue. Coupled with Alejandro Sanchez’s vibrant colors and Tom Napolitano’s letters, Jimenez’s work just leaps off the page, making everything that Snyder has written to be ten times more enjoyable. There’s no denying that this issue is worth adding to your pull list for new comic book day, and with two issues left, it’s one that is not to be missed as this series nears the end.

You can read all of my latest reviews here: http://fanboyfactor.com/author/anthony-andujar/

Detective Comics issue 1016 Review by Anthony Andujar Jr

Free from the grips of Mr. Freeze, and all that oppose her, Nora Freeze is calling the shots. With the city under her cold grips, Mrs. Freeze wastes no time in creating an icy graveyard for her husband Mr. Freeze and Batman.

Will Mr. Freeze cure Mrs. Freeze? Will Mr. Freeze find compassion in the heart of the one he once knew? Or will he receive the cold shoulder and the harsh reality of once was and will never be?

Tomasi has possibly written one of the best Mr. Freeze stories in recent years. Throughout this arc, Tomasi has explored the ramifications of the long-held goal that Mr. Freeze had based his entire existence on, while gloriously displaying the disappointing reality of when the goal is finally realized. I’m glad that Tomasi found a way to make this story standalone without all of the Year of the Villain content that is happening across the DC books overshadow this story. Mr. Freeze is conflicted and is desperate to help his wife become the woman that he once recognized, and it’s refreshing to see a different approach to Mr. Freeze that feels natural to his character. In some ways, this feels like it’s more of Freeze’s story than it is Batman’s story which is pretty cool given that it adds more layers to Batman’s rogues gallery. What makes this book even more enjoyable is Batman behaving as the detective that many have come to know and seeing just how demented Mrs. Freeze has become since her revival. He is vicious, vile, and pretty terrifying in every facet. It is interesting how much Mrs. Freeze has become a foil of what Mr. Freeze once was compared to who he is currently, and seeing how conflicting of a challenge it is for Mr. Freeze to come to terms with the current state of things.

In regards to the art department, Mahnke’s artwork is consistently amazing and does a great job of illustrating Batman in his cold-resistant suit. Makhnke does a fantastic job at displaying the rapport between Batman and Mr. Freeze as they work together to save Mrs. Freeze. Each of Mahnke’s pages are superbly inked by Chris Alamy and Kieth Champagne, giving a crisp aesthetic that continues to make this book shine in all the right ways. Kirkham is a guest illustrator on this issue and does a fantastic job at creatively drawing out panel layouts while maintaining visual continuity of this story. Mark Irwin does a good job at inking Kirkham’s pages, which is also handled well by Kirkham as well. David Baron’s colors blanket the entire book providing a vibrant sense of energy and power throughout the book as Leigh delivers beautiful dialogue placement amongst the art team’s work. This is a worthwhile title that delivers to provide good character development, exciting action, and story that leaves you wanting more. If you’re a Batman fan, then this is worthwhile Batman title to pick up especially for new comic book day.

You can read all my latest reviews here: http://fanboyfactor.com/author/anthony-andujar/

Justice League issue 36 review by Anthony Andujar Jr

Doom has won. The Legion of Doom now armed with the powers of Perpetua are now unstoppable, or so they think. Despite the victory against all that is just and good, is there truly paradise in a world of Doom? Is the victory worth having?

As the Justice League are in a state of desperation, and impossible odds, is it possible that they may have a fighting chance against the insurmountable odds that face them across time and space? Or is all of time lost in Doom?

Man, I didn’t think Perpetua would be as imposing aside from appearance, but I feel that in this issue, along with the last issue, readers finally understand the fear of what she is truly capable of. It’s one thing to hear about what Perpetua is, alluding to what she can do, and what she has done, but I feel that these last two issues really showcased how powerful of a being that she truly is, especially on a larger scale. Yes, Doom has won, Luthor and his Legion have succeeded but to what end? And that’s what Snyder decides to showcase within this issue, and man does it have some curveballs. Now, it’s not as if readers didn’t expect for things to go wrong for everyone including the Legion of Doom, but it’s how it is executed that I feel readers will find surprising. It’s amazing that after a year and a couple of months of build-up that we’re arriving at the final act of Snyder’s run, and It is still a good read.

What I enjoy about this issue is aside from all of the cosmic scale action, and superpower battles that all readers such as myself often enjoy, there is a real sense of struggle, but not with superpowers, but with ideologies. And I think Snyder does a nice job at incorporating that idea of conflicting ideologies within this book. Because Lex Luthor is a villain, but in his eyes, he perceives that he is doing things for the greater good, that he is the savior, and that is often what makes a good villain, an enjoyably well-written villain. Now, I don’t want to go too much in-depth about that since I don’t want to give away potential spoilers about this issue, but what I can say is that the characters are written is satisfying, especially with the league and the many other members across time and space that they have interacted with through the Justice/Doom War arc thus far. Now one thing that I will admit is that if Snyder hasn’t challenged any wacky inspiration from the very series that influenced this series before, he definitely swings for the fences in regards to making the book go off the rails in fun, creative ways that made me wish that the issue was a little longer since he is wrapping his run-up by issue 39.

In regards to the art department, Manapul’s artwork in this issue is arguably some of his best work thus far throughout this series. It’s interesting to see how much his art style changes with each project that he lends his hands to. Each of the scenes are illustrated skillfully, and the panel layouts are wonderfully crafted, giving the book an aesthetic flair. Porter also does a good job in regards to the anti monitor segments which help to keep the visual style consistent to the story of the book. Hi-Fi does an amazing job in providing vibrant colorwork that helps the book glow in the eyes of the reader, and Napolitano’s lettering is the icing on the cake. I genuinely enjoyed this issue and wished that there was a little bit more jam-packed into it, but given what Snyder and company delivered with this issue, its worth picking up for new comic book day.

Detective Comics issue 1015 review by Anthony Andujar Jr

Mr. Freeze and Mrs. Freeze are creating a new definition for a cold day in hell as they wreak havoc on the citizens of Gotham.

Meanwhile, Batman, Lucius, and Alfred rush to find cure the victims that were altered by Mr. Freeze, in hopes to reverse the damage that Freeze has caused. With a new lease on life, Nora Freeze settles into her new reality, but is all too good to be true? Mr. Freeze has received his lifelong dream of reviving his wife, but was it all worth it?

I’ve said it many times before, but I feel that Tomasi continues to prove time and time again why he is one of the best Batman writers of the 2010s. His fundamental understanding of Batman as a person and the practicality of the character really loves up to the title of this series. Tomasi’s understands that Batman is less about action and explosions, but more about problem-solving. Batman’s need to find solutions that lead to the best results, where more lives can be saved instead of just beating up bad guys is what makes this title so great. The rapport between Batman, Lucius and Alfred is portrayed as it should be, which is a working think tank that works towards the greater goal of making effective methods and decisions that benefit Batman’s mission.

Tomasi is able to display the relationships of these characters in a manner that feels natural to the core of these characters, which makes it a pleasant read throughout the book. What’s more enjoyable is the dynamic between Mr. Freeze and Nora Freeze. Witnessing the downward spiral of Mr. Freeze’s mission to revive his wife, and seeing the consequences unfold before his eyes has to be one of the most beautiful trainwrecks thus far to any of the rogue’s gallery in comics. Tomasi finds new ways to add more layers to Mr. Freeze that will be discussed for years to come.

In regards to the art department, Mahnke continues to deliver with his gritty yet clean pencil work. Jose Luis provides additional artwork and manages to do a good job, so there is no complaints on that. Alamy, Champagne, Irwin, and Santorelli do an effective job with the inks that coat the amazing pencil work of Mahnke and Luis. Coupled with Baron’s colors, and Rob Leigh’s letters makes for an enjoyable installment in this amazing arc. I definitely recommend picking this issue up. It’s one of the best Batman titles out and continues to live up to the namesake of Detective Comics.

 You can check the rest of my reviews at: http://fanboyfactor.com/2019/11/comic-review-detective-comics-1015-dc-comics/