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By: Scott Synder
Art By: Greg Capullo
Batman is by far one of the most popular comic book characters ever and his status and legend is only increasing with Scott Synder’s Zero Year. In Zero Year we are given yet another Batman origin story but this time Synder re-imagines the world’s most well known origin to something that feels new an inspiring. We see Bruce Wayne plant the seed, grow into a sapling, and now he is starting to branch out and embrace his new role as the city’s Dark Knight.
Batman 24 is the conclusion to Bruce’s showdown with the infamous Red Hood Gang. After scrupulous detective work and dangerous undercover jobs, Bruce has finally solved the mystery of the Red Hood Gang and their plan to destroy the city. Now he must suit up as Batman for the first time and take down the gang and its notorious leader before they poison the city with a flesh eating gas. In doing so Batman will not only establish his legend but will also create a monster that will haunt him forever.
Synder and Capullo have done it again with Batman 24 creating a near perfect ending to a near perfect story. Synder had an impossible task with Year Zero in creating a new origin story for a character than has had it told time and time again. He did the impossible and crafted a story that feels familiar as well as exciting and new. Batman 24 along with the whole Zero Year arch has been a suspenseful joy ride delving into the nuances that make Batman and Bruce Wayne special. Character is Synder’s focus through and through and it shows with each conversation, each narratio. Envery word spoken holds weight, meaning and is essential to developing the characters and story. This arch is carefully thought out and skillfully plotted as Synder tries to engage you in a story you have most likely seen or heard throughout your lifetime. He is a true story teller and his work on Batman will be is crowning achievement.
Batman 24 and the Zero Year arch in general is a must have for any Batman fan. It’s also a great point of entry for new readers as you are given the most complete origin for Batman yet. Synder and Capullo are re-writing the Dark Knight’s history and a front row seat is well worth the price of admission. From Court of Owls, to Death of the Family, and now Zero Year Synder and Capullo are establishing themselves as DC’s own dynamic duo.
By: Jonathan Hickman
Art by: Jerome Opena & Dustin Weaver
Marvel’s latest event dubbed Infinity is a universe sprawling story that encompasses a cataclysmic war between all the races of the universe and the god like beings known as builders. On earth, Thanos the Mad Titan leads an invasion to wrong a past mistake and once again appease Death. While the war in deep space rages as Captain America and the Avengers do all they can to save the universe. Black Bolt and the forces of earth are battling Thanos to hide the location of his target.
Jonathan Hickman is known for his big stories and even bigger ideas and Infinity is no exception. This story is massive and encompasses almost the entire Marvel Universe and all of its characters. World’s have been destroyed, millions of lives lost and we still have two issues left. If there is one thing Hickman knows it’s this grand scale. This book’s ideas are so big it’s almost hard to comprehend all that has been won and lost.
This plot line is what I like most about Infinity as we get to see heroes like Black Bolt step up in the absence of the Avengers and we are treated with a rare glimpse at his awesome power. In fact in you are a Black Bolt fan this book was written for you. The character takes center stage in Infinity #4 as he battles Thanos for 5 pages. It’s a gorgeous display of both of their power sets. Artist Opena and Weaver plot a battle scene with exposition that is worthy of film. This is the scene all Infinity readers have been waiting for and it’s magnificent.
Infinity is not for new comers as its story encompasses more of the Marvel Universe than most can handle. If you can get past the enormous scale, all the characters and plot lines; Marvel Infinity is an extremely exciting and action packed roller coaster through the Marvel U. It’s an event worthy of its title and hopefully it will have the lasting effect on the universe and the inhabits of the story would suggest.