DETECTIVE COMICS #6

[ BARGAIN BATMAN ] 

If you treat your life as a game. You have to take note of the refrain. Some times it goes up - other times its a strupp - but always diverse and un-tame. Just like my Bat-buddy, as depicted in this tale Written and Drawn by Tony Salvadore Daniel; and Published by DC Comics in February 2012.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

'Kill Game' is a three strand story involving criminal, Jill Hampton, journalist, Charlotte Rivers, and the most popular Bat inspired Bat character in the world, Plastic man.

Err... I mean Batman of course.

JILL'S STORY:  Jill and her face-changing aide, Snakeskin, are on a mission to penetrate the Penguins newly opened 'Iceberg' Casino and Hotel, so that they can then swindle every penny that this pug faced gimp has.

CHARLOTTE'S STORY: During her investigation into the Penguin's nefarious schemes, Charlotte is surprised to see that her sister, Jill, has also got a gripe to pick with the Penguin as well. Thankfully, their brief confrontation is a somewhat amicable affair all in all, because both siblings continue to penetrate this bird themed bad-guy's complex in their own way.  

BATMAN'S STORY: After tearing up Gotham's underworld one punch at a time, Batman eventually figures out that Jill and Snakeskin are about to infiltrate the Penguins property. Regrettably, though, just as soon as he slips inside the Casino, he comes across Snakeskin stabbing Charlotte in the back.

Batman-Smash! To be continued...

 

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSTION spoken in this issue?

I found it very relatable when Charlotte said to Jill after she had hit her 'If you knew it was your own sister would you have hit harder?'.

Anybody with a sibling can relate to that statement, huh?

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

This story had a very nice and plodding detective-like quality to it. It just zipped about from character to character, as if it had a life of its own. Moreover, I did like the majority of Batman's segments in this tale too, as it goes to show that writer, Tony Daniel, wants to get the Frank Miller out of his Dark Knight, hint, hint!

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

I am afraid to say that the 'lead villains' in this story, Jill and Snakeskin, do feel like they have come out of a Patricia Cornwall romanticized detective novel. Now you can take this in either a good way or a bad way. Personally speaking, I find that it just feels a little too much like a tried and tested archetypes myself - especially the whole Charlotte and Jill being sisters thing.   

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: As I said before, I did like it that this book was a detective book - as it should be. Plus in addition to this, I also enjoyed the notion that Penguin is trying to 'teach' new villains the tricks of the trade - very original.

ART: I really do like Tony's art-work on this book. In many ways you can see him trying to experiment with different styles and tones to his layout and his panelling. And even though this may appear somewhat inconsistent in places, by in large experimentation is the spice of life.

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

JILL: She has black hair. She is skinny. And it looks like she has sucked too many lemons too. Model / Actress, Megan Fox, is a perfect match for the one eyed vixen with a firm ass.

SNAKESKIN: Well, because he is on the same page as Megan in the Transformers stakes, why not have Shia LaBeouf as her face-changing ally. Makes sense, right?

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

He Should Have Known Better Than To Date Another Journalists - Bat-Attack The Revenge. 

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

There was a piece of music floating through my mind whilst reading this comic book, Nina Simones 'My Baby Just Cares For Me'. Well, they are both sultry, sullen, stylized, and looks good with an eye-patch on.

FINAL thoughts...

I am wondering if Tony is wearing too many hats on this series. Don't get me wrong, his art is great, and his stories are improving by the issue. But I would prefer a more personable writer to take over this book, just to instil a bit more personality into the proceedings.

Sorry Tony - please prove me wrong.

MARKS out of 10? 7.5