Reviews: Batman & Robin Vol. 3- Batman & Robin Must Die; City of Dust- A Philip Khrome Story

BATMAN & ROBIN- THE DELUXE EDITION: BATMAN & ROBIN MUST DIE (DC, 2011; Hardcover)

Collects Batman and Robin Nos. 13-17 and Batman: The Return No. 1 (cover dates August, 2010- January, 2011).

Writer: Grant Morrison

Artists: David Finch and others

This is decent, but I'm done with Batman for now. I'll wait for the Chronicles trade paperbacks to catch up. I've enjoyed Grant Morrison's run (what I've read of it) but have no interest in Batman, Inc. There are loads of different artists involved in the issues in this book, and all of the are above average in terms of quality. There are many super violent, over the top fight scenes.

I am not crazy about seeing heroes kill villains, although I do realize that this routinely happened in Batman's earliest adventures. It probably wouldn't bother me if I didn't have a 5 year old son. It's too bad that the 'real' Batman titles aren't in that middle ground where they can appeal to us adults, yet I wouldn't cringe giving them to my son to read. In any case, this was a fun read, and Pyg and the whole contagious addiction thing was a trip to say the least.

The OCD zone- This book has decent paper and glued binding, but it does lay reasonably flat. This can rest comfortably in one hand while reading and lay flat on the bed as well. I can live with glued binding on skinnier hardcover collections like this.

CITY OF DUST: A PHILLIP KHROME STORY (Radical, 2009; Softcover)

Collects City of Dust Nos. 1-5 (cover dates October, 2008- March, 2009)

Writer: Steve Niles

Artist: Chng

I like Steve Niles' writing, but I am sick and tired of dystopian views of the future. This series riffs on a number of familiar stories (1984, Farenheit 454, Blade Runner) but is decent in its own right. The artwork and computer coloring are breathtaking, which is par for the course for Radical Publishing's output. I have no problem plunking down cash for their products. My major gripe is that the title of this series has nothing to do with the events that occur here. Yes, it takes place in a city, but there is no mention of dust. No metaphor, no dust superpower, no drug called dust...nothing. It's as dumb a name as the movie Murder By Numbers with Sandra Bullock, in which the story had nothing to do with numbers.

The OCD zone- Heavy duty, high quality coated stock paper really brings out the artwork and colors. This book also has sewn binding, which makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. I am ill, but at least I don't hurt anybody. 

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