BATMAN #19

[ GIMME A F*CKING DISCOUNT ] 

Why would Bruce Wayne use an actual gun? He's nothing like the killer, Attila the Hun! Maybe Gordon's pissed him off? Or maybe he has a very bad cough? That he'll remove once the job is finally done! BANG-BANG! Or else, it could be something to do with the creative team of Scott Snyder, Gregg Capullo, James Tynion IV, Alex Maleev; and Publisher: DC Comics, in March, 2013.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 5 questions about this STORY entitled 'Nowhere Man'.

• WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: Six day prior to Bruce Wayne turning into a complete and utter fully-armed nutter, his alter-ego, Batman, tries his best tries to figure out who is behind the apparent suicide of his recent business associate, Brian Wade.
• ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: Yeah. In part I'd say they were.
• ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: Bruce recollects a floral encounter he and his son once had with the masked vigilante known as the Reaper.
• HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With Bruce Wayne having mud thrown in his face. Ha!
• WHAT'S THE BACK-UP FEATURE ABOUT: Superman goes to console Batman about the death of his son, Robin, and they both end up getting entangled in a very spooky adventure.

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

By in large most of the dialogue on show in this issue was very nice to read. Granted, it was a tad too exposition heavy on occasion. But overall I enjoyed the earthy nature to its subtexts, especially that part where Batman mused to himself by saying...

'Practically every culture in history has stories about people like C***f*** -- shape-shifters. There are thousands of examples, from the Raskshasa to the Kumiho. Norse folklore tells of berserkers, who turn into wolves and bears. More recently, the Navajo told legends of skinwalkers, men and women who could change their flesh, and only be killed by bullets dipped in ash.'

See? Don't you find a piece of prose like this gives a story some sort of contextual gravitas?

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) Now at best, some comic books start off with a bit of a bang. You know, just a little roll up and trot towards the up and coming adventure ahead. This issue though -- well -- it started off by blowing out my f*cking brain. POW! I mean, I'm without words to describe how I felt about this issues initial introduction. I suppose I can only compare it to being emotionally beaten up by a couple of great comic book creators. Ha!

(+) It's about bloody time Superman and Batman started to pair-up again. Alright, I know that this is most probably due to the new 'Superman / Batman' title being launched. Still, it was very nice to see them here on the same page together. Also, it was great seeing the one time 'Daredevil' artist, Alex Maleev, pencilling this tale as well.

(+) I loved the Reapers brief cameo appearance in this adventure. In fact, I loved it so much; I honestly want more-more-more. Come on DC. Stick your finger out. I need to know who this cloaked bad guy actually is in the New52.

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) Without giving too much away, the only thing I can fault with this tale, is once it is revealed who the actual bad-guy is, after that, you can understand what really happened to 'Bruce' at the beginning of this yarn. Apart from that though -- nah -- this issue was faultless.

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

FOREST WHITIKA AS BRIAN WADE: OK, so maybe this is a visual thing, but I honestly feel Forest and Brian both look fairly similar in stature and grace.

JOHN TRAVOLTA AS SUPERMAN: Wait a minute! Before you start yelling at you're screen. Try to imagine John back in the day, slightly more ripped, and slightly more pristine. There, now you see where I'm going with this super comparison, don't you.

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

'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee' -- Cassius Clay

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

'NOWHERE MAN' BY 'THE BEATLES': Look, if the story is called 'Nowhere Man', what other song do you expect me to compare it to? 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da'? Ha!

ANYTHING Else?

Without a shadow of a doubt this issue of 'Batman' was a really great read. The story was very intriguing to follow. The art was very dynamic and bold. Plus the back-up feature enhanced the main-tale in tone if not in substance.

Honestly. This book is my 'Book of the month'. And I can hardly fault it whatsoever.

Furthermore, what about DC's folding-covers, huh? I have to admit, as an addition, I've enjoyed every single one of these 'enhanced features'. Don't you agree, folks? If so, please leave a comment down below, telling me what one you thought was the best of the bunch. And if you do, I promise that I will relay my findings onto DC post haste.

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: If This Comic Book Was Something You'd Find In a Ambulance, It Would Be One Of Those Electric Heart-Resuscitating Do-Dahs! Vvvzzzt!