BATMAN #24

[ COWL ON A COUPON ] 

Now if you think about it, folks, would changing the color of the Red Hood Gang's, token-hoods, make them any less sinister? You know. Something like the 'Pink Hood Gang' for example. Nah! Not sure? Alright then. Let's ask Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo about what they think. Maybe they and the Publisher: DC Comics, could come up with an answer for us, sometime in October, 2013.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 5 questions about this FIRST PART of 'Dark City'.

• WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: As soon as he puts on the cape and cowl, a somewhat balding Bruce Wayne does his damndest to stop the Red Hood Gang from poisoning the inhabitants of Gotham City.
• ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: No. I'm not saying anything. Or else I might spoil the surprise, Hahahahahahahhahaha!!!!
• ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: Yes. We finally find out the final fate of Uncle Philip. KA-POW!
• HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With an ending and a beginning both rolled up into one.
• WHAT'S THE BACK-UP FEATURE ABOUT: After Bruce fails to figure out the real identity of Red Hood One, The Riddler shows up, ready for some fun and games.

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

Ouch! Now this one's a toughie. As there was so much to like 'dialogue-wise' about this issue. Yet, at a push, I'd say the one piece of prose that made me smile the most, was in the final scene between Batman and Red Hood One, where Hoodie said to Bat's...

'It's only just beginning'...

... before falling into a vat of chemicals. SPLASH!!!! Well! What's not to like about that? Huh?  

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) Now where do I begin with this? Do I start off by saying that I loved the implication that Red Hood One is going to be the Joker? Do I pontificate how much I enjoyed that scene where Bruce asked the people of Gotham why they love living in this City? Or do I scratch my own nuts -- SCRATCH-SCRATCH -- and say something like, 'I can finally see a purple glove wearing Batman who's got the balls to shoot Gordon with a dummy gun' -- KA-POW! Who's your Daddy now, be-yatch!!!!

(+) They've done it again, folks. Scott and Greg have once again created a bloody magnificent issue that blew me away more than any prostitute hurricane with a stutter ever could. The art was on point. The story was both engaging and thrilling. And by in large there wasn't very much to gripe about at all. Well. Not in this section anyhow.

(+) Alfred is always a pleasure to read wherever he turns up in a comic book. This time though he was more than a pleasure. He was a star. A star who made me grin from cheek to cheek because of his 'Down to Earth' stature and vibe. Splendid.

(+) Wasn't it a bloody shame to see Uncle Phil pop off like that? Still. At least this way we now know why he's not currently around today. Sob!

(+) Riddle me this, Riddle me that, I can't wait to see more of that green suited twat! Say no more.

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) The only thing I wasn't too keen on was how the overall narrative was structured and paced. An introductory sequence led into a segway into a diversion and then back into the main tale again. Whilst dipping and parrying between action scene and exposition scene at a drop of the hat. Now don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to imply that this hindered my enjoyment one little bit. It's just that I would have liked the conceptual arc to have been more evenly balanced. Giving each section a better slice of the pie than it was allowed to do.

(-) $6.99 for a single comic book, DC? Tut-tut-tut! Don't you find that a bit too expensive in today's climate? Heck, I remember when this was the price for a whole weeks worth of comic books.Not one! Boy! Those were the days!

Choose TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and then compare them to WELL KNOWN WOMEN.

MERYL STREEP AS BRUCE WAYNE: I don't give a rat's ass as to what anybody has to say about our Meryl. Back in the day this great lady could stand with the best of them without even breaking a sweat. Hand's down.

JUDI DENCH AS ALFRED PENNYWORTH: Hey! Come off it. This one seems like a no-brainer for me. Both Judi and Alfred share an authoritative and caring vibe that just won't quit.

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

'Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is far the best ending for one' -- Oscar Wilde

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

'THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN' BY BOB DYLAN: Now doesn't the title of this song say it all, folks? As the times are defiantly a changin' for Bruce and company. Big Time!!!!!

ANYTHING Else?

In this instalment, Bruce Wayne asked the people of Gotham City a very important question I wish to... coff-coff... elaborate on myself. So without any further a do -- Hey! --- People of Gotham City -- Why the f*ck do you all love living in this berg?

• It reminds me of home -- Count Dracula
• The caves there are very spacious -- Osama Bin Ladin
• The parking is easy. Especially when the entire city is in lock-down -- A squirrel
• When I first visited Gotham, I thought the Scarecrow dosed me with his fear toxin -- Superman
• You can easily kill someone there without anyone moaning afterwards -- Jack The Ripper
• It makes me laugh -- The Joker
• It's the only place I know that's more depressing than seeing me on TV -- Lindsay Lohan
• I once knew of a girl who lived there that allowed me to touch her -- Bill Clinton
• Never drink the water. I'm sure Batman has pissed in it -- Aquaman
• I'm Batman -- Batman

Anyway. That's enough of my stuff and nonsense for this month, folks. All I have left to say is that this issue of 'Batman' reminded me of swimming in candy-floss. It was a little bit sweet. It was a little bit hectic. But by in large I had my mouth wide open throughout the whole experience.

Nuff said.