BATMAN #18

Now what rhymes with the name 'Kubert'? Maybe 'Schubert'? Or better yet 'Hubert'? I'm sure Batman will know. Although at the moment he's a no show. Because he'd rather play the old video game called, 'QBert' Yeah! He's first. And then comes Writer: Scott Snyder; Artists: Andy Kubert and Alex Maleev; plus Publisher: DC Comics, in April 2013.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 4 questions about this STORY entitled 'Resolve'.

WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: After they visit their f*cker of a Father in Blackgate Penitentiary, Harper leaves her brother Cullen at home, and then heads on out to track down Batman, to save him from himself.
ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: Err... at first -- no -- not really. All Harper gets for her troubles is a kick in the stomach and a broken nose. However, with a bit of help from Bruce Wayne, she eventually gets the Dark Knight to see the light. One way or t'other.
ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: Batman fights with a mutant pack of dogs.
HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With a light in the sky that allows a father to morn his dearly departed son.

All in all, what is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

The majority of the dialogue-driven scenes in this story were really-really amazing to read. Heck, they were so good; I can't even pick one out of the bunch I liked the most. So what I'll do instead is op for the paragraph that's easiest for me to type, OK? Specifically that bit where Batman says to Harper...

'Your training isn't worth anything to me. There are people who've trained their entire lives and fallen in this war. Did you really think that it was as easy as picking up a taster? What did you think? That I would see how much you've grown and take you back to my base? Tell you my real name? Give you a car and a cape and let you fight by my side? This isn't a game, Harper! If you pursue this, you will die, do you understand me?'.

Wow! Hard hitting stuff! And makes me think that Batman isn't only talking to Harper, he's also talking to himself, Damien, and us -- the readers -- all at the same time.

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) Honest to God! There was so much about this comic book I enjoyed, I don't know how to start praising it. The story was a personal one. The art was out of this f*cking world. And in my eyes the overall package was just a thing of beauty.

(+) The first time a Robin died -- i.e. at the end of 'A Death in the Family' story-line -- for the next couple of issues after this event, there were a few self-contained tales -- like this one -- depicting similar adventures where the Batman had to be talked down by Gordon because of his more 'harder edged' antics. Now not to take anything away from this issue -- because it was a great one -- but I do like seeing Batman shown in this way: as a man who is as mortal as anybody else.

(+) It's always a pleasure to see Harper and Cullen in a book. Nuff said.

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) One the only thing I can fault with this adventure was the overt segway between the two different artists on it -- Andy Kubert and Alex Maleev. One minute there was Andy's polished and dynamic visuals. And the next minute there was Alex's more moodier and starker visuals. Please note: I do not have a problem with the art in itself. No way Jose. It was the sudden transition that I wasn't too pleased with.

Choose TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and then compare them to two REAL LIFE PEOPLE.

SHIRLEY TEMPLE AS HARPER: Just like our ever loving Harper, back in the day Shirley would be the archetypal 'no-nonsense' kid, who played gutsy both on and off screen.

LAWRENCE OF ARABIA AS BATMAN: Without beating around the bush, old Lawrence was one of those chaps who'd beat himself up more for what he did wrong, rather than for what he did right. Hmmm? Remind you of anyone?

What QUOTE would be appropriate to sum-up this story?

'In each individual the spirit is made flesh, in each one the whole of creation suffers, in each one a Savior is crucified' -- Hermann Hesse

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?

'ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE' BY MONTY PYTHON: Alright. I know that I could have picked a more modern song to compare this comic book too. Nevertheless, the essence behind this melody does complement the sentiment behind this story an awful lot. Just think about it.

ANYTHING Else?

Not so long after this issue of 'Batman' came out, I noticed on one of my favourite facebook forum's a rumor alluding to Harper becoming the next new 'Robin'.

Now to me -- personally -- as much as I think she's one hell of a great character, who seems to be building up one hell of fan-following, she isn't really Robin material at the moment. In my eyes Harper is a free spirit. An imp. Who darts about from place to place helping those in need in the only way she knows how. Furthermore, she and her brother are such a great team in their own right; they don't really need Batman spoiling their dynamics either.

What do you folks think, huh? Too soon? No way? One day? Or a way-hey-hey? Drop up a spam, and I'll drop you a piano.

THUNK!

Be sharp.

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: If This Comic Book Was an Animal, It Would Be That Cute Little Monkey I Saw On The Hangover 2.