Streets of Gotham #19 review

Streets of Gotham #19
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen, Derek Fridolfs, and John Kalisz
Lettering by Steve Wands
Published by DC Comics
Review by Lan Pitts

"Remember what Aristotle says, 'a common enemy unites bitter enemies.'" -- Tom Elliot, aka Hush

For the past twenty years, Paul Dini has more than penned great Batman stories; he's added to the overall mythos of the character. His and Dustin Nguyen's Heart of Hush arc from three years ago, remains one of my favorite Bat-stories of the decade. Dini and Nguyen and company may have caught lightning in a jar once again with the ongoing House of Hush arc.

The thing about this particular issue is that there is so much character depth added, that it makes the overall story that much enjoyable and lively. From Hush's past, to his ties with the Wayne's and the rise of his criminal factions, to even a scene that ties Thomas Wayne and John Zatara together, it's more fleshed out than how most comic writers handle Batman and company. Batman just isn't Bruce Wayne, Prince of Gotham. Batman is also about the city he protects and how each denizen has a thread that weaves a bigger web.

Streets of Gotham #19 gives a good deal of insight to the Anthony Marchetti character as Dini establishes more of the character's past and tells the story of a one-time encounter with Gotham's favorite clown, the Joker. Truth be told, this issue is more of a character piece that explores a little-known character and expands what we should know, adding to the criminal underground, and also adds to what we already knew: the Joker is bat-nuts crazy. There is not a single fight scene or action sequence. Just a story of a child that grew up in the crime business in Gotham, but still somebody who Hush considers valuable to align himself with. Batman (Bruce Wayne) doesn't show up until almost at the end, where the Thomas Wayne/Zatara scene comes into play.

This creative team is one of the best working in comics today. Dini never disappoints, and Dustin Nguyen is a workhorse that knows no limits. His use of painted art-deco backgrounds adds that extra bit of beauty that certainly makes it stand out. Derk Fridolfs inks over Nguyen's pencils are superb. I've seen others try to handle Nguyen's style, but none quite capture the angular look that Nguyen brings without looking jagged or too sharp. John Kalisz adds the perfect color pallet that complements both Nguyen and Fridolfs, but that's exactly breaking news, as he's another colorist who is always on top of his game.

With Streets of Gotham coming to a close soon, I'm sure the finale will deliver the proper curtain call that this book has deserved.

a few reviews up in here: Zatanna #7 and Streets of Gotham #17

Streets of Gotham #17
Written by Paul Dini, Fabian Nicieza
Art by Dustin Nguyen, Derek Fridolfs, Szymon Kudranski, John Kalisz, and Nick Filardi
Lettering by Steve Wands
Published by DC Comics

"Selina. It's me."

Those three words tell the whole story.

I guess it's no surprise now that Bruce Wayne is back as Batman (or one of them at least) and trying to re-emerge himself in the daily aspects of being Batman. While I enjoyed Batman, Inc, Paul Dini's Batman is the one I favor the most of the past five years or so. He's collected, intelligent, cool, and always makes time for his favorite feline fatale. He just comes across as more human, than the almost quasi-deity I've seen him elsewhere.

The issue is split in half with Bruce having his moment with Selina and Tommy Elliot, aka Hush, on the loose. While Batman (Bruce) is on the case on who is causing people to sleepwalk via tiny insects. The villain, the Bedbug, is seen briefly, but I'm sure will be back. Elliot, who is still being mistaken for Bruce Wayne, gets taken hostage and his kidnapper retells a story about Bruce's father and Leslie Thompkins. There's quite the flashback on a failed assassination where we see an amazing Alfred scene that invokes his days in RAF. Of course, Elliot's kidnappers are dealt with pretty easily and he actually offers them a position to align themselves with him. Bruce has only been back a few days and already the cards are stacking up against him.

The Ragman story, who I always considered DC's answer to Ghost Rider, isn't all that bad. Fabian Nicieza is one of my all-time favorite comic writers because his style adapts to the situation, especially with this haunting dialogue. There's an interesting use of colors here that give it an anime-like look to it. It might turn some people off, but I think it works for the story.

It's no secret that I love the combination of Dini, Nguyen and Fridolfs. They are what made Detective Comics so incredibly good two years ago with the Heart of Hush arc (which I gave my Silver Medal to at our end of the year awards). It just always seems like when this team is good, they are the epitome of what I want in a Batman story. I have to admit, I've been slacking in picking this book up like I should since I've been overwhelmed by Bat-mania v.2.0. It's good to see Bruce back.

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Zatanna #7
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Chad Hardin, Wayne Faucher, and John Kalisz
Lettering by Pat Brosseau
Cover by Jesus Saliz
Published by DC Comics

"Hollywood. Where the curtain never comes down."

My love for the character aside, I think Zatanna is one of the best ongoing that DC has to offer these days. The simplest reason for that is that it is self-contained. In the world of the market adapting a trade-ready format, this book is pretty easy to pick up, have a coherent idea of what is going on, and enjoy Zee fighting mystical forces. Ta da!

Now, Paul Dini is DC's, and probably the world's, biggest fan of Zatanna. It's no secret he married a stage magician, and just loves writing her, so I'm always a bit skeptical when there is somebody else's name in the writer credits. Though to Adam Beechen's credit, I've seen his name pop up around a lot more these days, even on a Mystery, Inc episode recently. The scenario is Zatanna is attending magical museum opening where a lot of artifacts from mystics from the DCU will be showcased. Of course, some of the artifacts take a life of their own and Zee is face to face (sort of) with an old rival of her father's. A quick fight with magical fisticuffs and problem resolved, with a little assistance from the spirits of the former bearers of the artifacts, including Zee's father, John Zatara.

The thing that is most notably different from the first few issues of the series is the art team. Stephane Roux and Karl Story made one hell of a team. Roux's sultry version of Zee is one I most harken back to, that and Adam Hughes'. So, not to belittle Chad Hardin here, but something about it hasn't clicked with me. This issue is far better than his previous ones. You can tell his improvements in panel construction and just how Zee moves. She has that grace she was lacking before. I love Faucher's inks. I think him and Hardwin make for a good comic team, but there is still room for improvement. It's not boring by any means. Just the bar was set a bit too high, I suppose. That happens from time to time.

If you're not already picking up Zatanna, I have to ask why not. It's fun storytelling that doesn't require purchasing eight tie-ins and whatnot. While I prefer Dini to Beechen's style, it's still worth a read through if not outright buy.

New Zatannas on the collection? Sure I do!

By Dustin Nguyen, Karl Story and Laura Martin


By Jamie Cosley


By Anthony Clark, aka Nedroid

I decided to just bite the bullet and get a Zatanna-themed sketchbook. My sketchbook that I started two years ago on FCBD is almost filled up. It was a good choice.

King Coco

The country is no longer divided between red or blue states. No more Team Edward or Jacob.



but no matter what side you stand, I want to make sure you know where I (and DC artist Dustin Nguyen stand)

Do it for Coco.

Heart of Hush conclusion: Detective Comics 850

Detective Comics #850
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen, Justin Fridolfs, and John Kalizs
Cover by Dustin Nguyen
Edited by Mike Marts
Published by DC
Review by Lan Pitts

"Heart of Hush" concludes in this anniversary double-sized issue, which I cannot suggest enough you go out and buy for yourself. Since the "R.I.P." event started, I've started reading only the main "R.I.P."-related stories from the main two Batman books: "Batman" and "Detective Comics". However, I slowly became less interested in the main story and became entranced by what the Dini/Nguyen team-up was bringing to the table. Dini's story is completely separate from Grant Morrison's, and luckily he managed to take one of the lamest villains in the history of Batman, Hush, and turned him into a formidable adversary for the Batman. Despite the odds, the "Heart of Hush" arc developed into a well thought-out chapter in the life of Bruce Wayne.

The action begins immediately and almost never stops. Even Alfred all have a skirmish with Hush before the issue is over, and one last flashback seals Dini's deal on just how demented Dr. Tommy Elliot really is. Dini then took what should have been an obvious story point for any past scribe who tinkered with the Hush character, and played upon the doctor drawn to evil element in Tommy Elliot's life. He's an accomplished surgeon and that should've been a major plot point when he first arrived in Gotham, or even when he was given a second go around. The double sized issue helped out with the story; the flashbacks, the final battle inside the Batcave, everything. Without it, it probably wouldn't be as better in terms of pacing and what Dini provided. In terms of Hush himself, what Dini did here was prove to us that Dr. Thomas Elliot was not a murderer at first, but someone who had reasons. How his mother treated him was enough for me to say "no wonder he hated his family, look at them". Obvious, Elliot's mother was spoiled and sees things right if under her rules and influence. And if Elliot doesn't do at least one or two things right, she does something horrible that wasn't needed like take away his money. No mother does that, and I found myself liking Hush and understanding him, but only from those flashbacks.

With the pencils by Nguyen, inks by Dustin Fridolfs, and colors by John Kalisz this art continues to be a winning combination. Nguyen's costumed heroes and villains have never looked cooler, nor have his women ever looked so beautiful. And, as always, he's equally adept at staging dynamic action and calmer moments both quiet and creepy. Kalisz brings a perfect palette of colors to the mix, and he knows when to let loose and when to hold back. Nothing seems out place, and as I mentioned Dini's pacing before, everything meshes well together. I loved the cameos by Dr. Mid-Nite, Mr. Terrific and Zatanna. Even though Bruce considers himself a lone ranger, he knows his limits and knows when he needs help.

When writing this review, I tried my best to remain spoiler-free. There's an endearing scene between Bruce and Selina near the end that will please all the hopeless romantics, while still playing entirely true to their relationship and where they both are at this specific point in their lives. It's just beautifully constructed. The ending is almost Shakespearean and the issue had several moments where I found myself either laughing or wanting to jump and down. It's that good. The double-sized format really assisted and gave the proper length for such a worthy conclusion. Also to add: the scene in the Batcave gave several nods to Bat-fans: the good-ole Batboat, "Whirly-Bat", and the Batmobiles from the '40s, Burton era, B:TAS, as well as the "Tumbler".

Heart of Hush ends with something worthy of Hollywood and a Greek drama, and with that, I give you an Aristotle quote that seems quite fitting to the Batman universe: "Great men are always of a nature originally melancholy."