In the words of one John “Hannibal” Smith, I love it when a plan comes together. This is a great issue that left me breathing a sigh of relief and wanting more all at the same time. A number of details are tied up and yet I want to go back a reread every related story Grant Morrison has written since Final Crisis just to see what I’ve missed between the lines. Loved it. -Scott

Batman #702

Joe the Barbarian #6

Five issues of quality delivered with stunning visuals and a story that may have made certain stone faced reviewers shed a tear. Yes it was me.

Then… Well issue 6 isn’t what we’ve been lead to expect.  I know, right?  The consistent art is there, the story, for what it is, is well told.  And perhaps that’s where the problem lies.  This 6th chapter of Joe’s adventure in the the fractured recesses of his mind (or are they…) revolves around his arrival at a city of apathy towards the war.  We know it to be the hearth in his lounge room but his vision portrays it somewhat like a sleeping nation, aware of war on all sides but seeing itself as strong enough to lack participation.

In truth it’s unfair to call this issue a stumble.  It was inevitable that this content would have to be covered, not every issue can be about dodging sword bearing shadows and tumbling along in make-shift submarines.  At some point adversity had to be encountered of a bureaucratic  kind.  Joe struggles against this pervasive force vainly until he simply runs out of puff.  It’s at this point that the story feels to be at it’s lowest.  An argument could be made either way as to whether this is deliberate or just a piece of good sport on the part of Morrison.  Regardless, unlikely friends (unlikely to have survived) make it to the citadel and rouse Joe with words of whimsy.

You should certainly read this like one should always read Dickens: It’s not always enjoyable, but you’ll feel better for the experience. -Bretzke

Joe the Barbarian #5

Spoiler alert!

Damn you Grant Morrison!  I haven’t cried because of a comic in forever.  A curse upon your soul.  Now that’s out of the way…

Vertigo continues to present the bleeding edge in what comics should be with this update of Joe.  As we read on the story was almost becoming formulaic in installments 1 through to 4, the book breaking into a cycle of recount, explore, new device, cliffhanger.  This issue breaks the mold however.

What was new from last issue is quickly dumped, Jack and Joe are on their own and there is a deep, dark evil on their tails (well, tail, the rat you know).  While the story deviates away to the fate of the other compatriots, your mind never wands far from the fate of Joe and Jack.  I almost feel stupid for not realizing this was coming months ago.  The amount of empathy that we are lead to feel for Jack, his torment at not being the warrior of his brothers.  It was never really a question of if he would stand up, but when.

In a sequence reminiscent of a certain Bridge born battle with a Balrog (Alliteration!), Jack becomes all he can be.  Morrison brings his writing muscle to the fore and what could have been trite or static is a dynamic and heart wrenching sequence.  If you don’t mist up during this, you don’t have a heart.  Or at least you never had a pet rat.  I did, and I did.

Joe had always been a safe title for me, always enjoyable and a romp through an imaginary(?) world with a furry best friend.  Now it’s a dark and troubled title I shall have hesitation to pick up straight away.  That isn’t a bad thing, its the consequence of excellent storytelling. -Bretzke.

Joe and Jack need to get up and out from down and below.  How do you do that?  Go to an odd little guild of coward inventors of course!  Cue entry of cute female side-kick.

Consistent quality.  But hey, this is Vertigo.  Did you honestly expect anything less? -Bretzke

Joe the Barbarian #4

How neglectful of me to leave this review so late, but in honesty, what do you expect this to say?  It’s amazing!  The art is perfect, the story is insightful and the delivery cannot be corrected.  If only more titles existed like this. -Bretzke

Joe the Barbarian #2

Beyond compare this is simply stellar.  The developments continue as Joe sinks further and further, but into what, we don’t quite know. -Bretzke

Joe the Barbarian #3

It would be a mistake to treat this like a regular comic.  Nothing contained within is fluff, everything is placed exactly where it is for a reason.  Don’t just idly skip through the pages reading, look at the panels, devour them.  This is a series that should will stick with you.  Joe is a young man attending a school he hates, holding bitter feelings for the things done to him.  Its only natural he should want to escape.  Pitty for him, he does… -Bretzke

Joe the Barbarian #1

This issue opens with one of the best contemplative sequences so far, highlighting what could have been but wasn’t, showing some real reflection and growth within the character in question.  They’ve worked out why they’re stuck on this earth and best of all, they know the bad guy – a giant Cnidarian! (Note: Not a race of aliens, remember your biology). -Bretzke

The Authority: The Lost Year #3

This book picks up the same theme from Uncanny X-Men, First Class (That of alien visitors that are all powerful) but does two things differently.  1.  This is from the perspective of the visitor. 2. They do it right!  Highly enjoyable with what can only feel like a Michael Criton “Sphere-esque” tinge.  Read it, you’ll see what I mean. -Bretzke

The Authority: Lost Year

The crazy train has once again made a stop in Gotham, and let off plenty of new faces. This book is as scary as some of the more disturbing horror movies from our childhood, so it makes sense that Dick Grayson needs to spend some time in “therapy.” And it looks like issue #3 is titled Mommy Made of Nails (seriously), so it doesn’t look to be letting up at all. The show must go on indeed! Although I may end up with nightmares.

Batman and Robin #2