It was the slap felt around the world as Alfred slapped Bruce in the second chapter of “Zero Year.” (Artwork by Greg Capullo; Property of DC Comics)
By: Jacob Elyachar
Warning! Spoilers are ahead!
This was an incredible week in DC Comics!
Barbara Gordon went on the date, two big allies physically hit the Caped Crusader and The Trinity War began!
Batgirl Vol.4 #22 (Creative Team: Gail Simone/Fernando Pasarin/Jonathan Glapion/Blond)
This issue showcases Barbara Gordon on a date with a former car thief named Ricky, who she saved from the villainous Knightfall during the first couple of issues of Volume Four. Despite a fight between one of Ricky’s enemies, it turns out to be a great first date and suggests that Ricky and Barbara have great chemistry together. Meanwhile, Commissioner Gordon is acting strangely (especially taking Barbara to a gun range and punching Batman at the end of the issue) and declares his war against Batgirl. So far, Gail Simone’s Batgirl is finally picking up speed and the art team of Pasarin, Glapion and Blond delivered a strong issue. This is a great jump on point for any reader interested in reading about Barbara Gordon. B+
Batman Vol. 2 #22 (Creative Team: Scott Snyder/Greg Capullo/Danny Miki/FCO Plascencia)
Scott Snyder’s massive Zero Year storyline continued as Bruce continued to thwart the Red Hood Gang, met one of his deadliest (and iconic) foes for the first time and learned the hard way that it was time to reevaluate his approach on trusting people. This story featured several eye-popping moments courtesy of the Batman art team that will be talked about for years to come and demonstrated why Scott Snyder continues to be one of the Caped Crusader’s best writers of the 2000s. A
“The Trinity War” began this week as Justice League of America confronted the Justice League and Shazam! (Artwork by Ivan Reis & Property of DC Comics)
Justice League Vol.2 #22 (Creative Team: Geoff Johns/Ivan Reis/Rod Reis/Oclair Albert)
The Trinity War began this week! Geoff Johns cleverly brought all of his building subplots (the Superman/Wonder Woman romance, the Justice League of America’s formation, Shazam’s appearance and the Secret Society’s behind the scenes manipulations) together in one explosive issue! In addition to the snappy dialogue, the Justice League art team delivered impressive two-page spreads and showed the designations of the characters in this storyline. This was a great first chapter and I hope that this waiting will pay off! A
Superman Unchained #2 (Creative Team: Scott Snyder/Jim Lee/Scott Williams/Dustin Nguyen)
The epic creative team of Snyder and Lee has produced a superb sophomore issue of Superman Unchained, which is filled with tons of action, interesting confrontations and a guest appearance by a certain Dark Knight. Between the manipulations of Lex Luthor and General Lane, the Dubai battle and the aftermath that Dustin Nguyen brilliantly drew at the end of the issue, Superman Unchained continues to be a delight to read and a book that both old and new Man of Steel fans should pick up. A-
