Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Batman Rebirth 1


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By Andy Doan
June 15, 2016 - 08:22

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Batman Rebirth 1
I would first like to say that it is a privilege and an honor to be reviewing comics again at the Comic Book Bin. I have been away for a number of years so I was thrilled to be invited back. I have been a comic fan for three decades it feels good to get back into weekly titles again.

What better place to start than with DC’s rebirth. I have not been following the recent continuity of DC so I will be reviewing these books on their self contained value and not based on how they fit in with the grand scheme of things.  I am very interested in seeing how these titles stand on their own. Hopefully someone basing their comic purchasing decisions on a tight budget or limited free time will find value in what I have to say here.

No spoiler alert necessary! I will not reveal details of the story here. Almost every character you encounter is pictured on the cover of the book. The story centers on the title character as he is faced with the type of catastrophe we more commonly associate with cosmically inclined heroes (Green Lantern, Superman).  Gotham is about to be destroyed and the only hero available is the hero they deserve. Everything here is action (and math) based. Batman races to lower the body count with his tech and brain power alone.

This book is a very small piece of what will obviously be a bigger story. I describe is as small because the entire narrative takes place within a three minute period of time. Small but not insignificant, within the tiny confines of a few moments we are given hints of larger developments. What role will Duke Thomas play? Who are the two blue and grey masked figures who are seen once on the cover and once again on the pages? What lead to the catastrophe we find Batman risking his life to prevent? Who is involved?

The art work here fits well within the Batman world. Dark and gritty eternally night? Check! Here we have a mix of Breyfogle and Lee. Finch is no stranger to Batman, he offers a very utilitarian take on the character that works well and doesn’t stand out. That’s a requirement on a bi-weekly title I believe, you don’t want your artist getting cramps as you’re trying to re-launch a major title.

A good start not without small faults. So many times in fiction they labour over technobabble. I wish someone would find a creative way to leave it out. When I’m reading stuff like that I start to automatically jump over words and sentences. In the case of this book it amounted to two full pages of skipped text. “If i’m able to  ionize the dorsal nitrogen containment field at just right frequency....” how about “According to the Batcomputer I have to jump right now!” The other trap the writer seemed fall in was one common to almost every DC product featuring the big three (Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman). They constantly refer to each other by their first names! They have to get good at not doing that! I’d love to see a storyline where a lackwit criminal is able to figure out who Superman is because he hears Batman say “Clark!”.

If you are wondering whether you should buy the new Batman rebirth please check out my handy guide.

    Q: Do you love Batman?

    A: Buy the book. It’s good Batman. You get Batman, Commissioner Gordon, maybe Robin, Batmobile, a shadowy figure and more. Classically constructed yet not necessarily a classic. Where the storyline ends up does not hinge on this issue but it’s a great place to start.

    Q: Do you want to start loving Batman?

    A: Buy the book. For the reason listed above and because the story doesn’t count on you knowing much else at the moment. A great place to start. Also grab some back issues I’m thinking anything Detective Comics between issues 601-621.

    Q: Are you a bitter fanboy looking to rage on social networking channels about how DC got it wrong?

    A: Buy the book. There’s plenty here to nitpick. Besides it’s not like the you have phone calls from friends to distract you.

So in conclusion I’d have to say this book is a buy for me. It’s fun and light like a comic should be and it contains all the elements of a classic adventure book. We’ll need about three or four more issues before we know what’s happening here but luckily with the aggressive release schedule we won’t have long to wait. Also the title is released with a $2.99 price tag. Not exactly the $1.25 of my youth but less of a drag on your expenses than other modern books.


Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12

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