Halloween reading lists

These are some trades I usually read around this time of year.

X-Men Inferno: Basically the start of Cyclops collapse into the bad husband period. His first wife gets controlled by demons and um, all hell breaks out. It links all the X-related characters at the time as they try to save the day. It shows how people are used, unfaithful, and how the characters own good intentions damn themselves. Plus a few bits that we'll all find ironic like Jean Grey freaking out over how powerful Iceman is.

Fantastic Four Unthinkable: While this story has pretty much been ignored since Dr. Doom shreds his honor to get revenge on his enemies it's a disturbing tale. It finally has Doom use the skill he excels at that Reed Richards can't hope to match: magic. What he's willing to do to achieve his goal is chilling, something that will make the face Joker wears in Death of the Family seem kind of tame. But it hits hard because Doom hurts the family the most through their children.

Spider-Man Revelations: I'm sure Marvel likes to pretend most of this never happened since a bulk of it had to do with Peter and Mary Jane Parkers' marriage and the child they were expecting. On Halloween night it all goes down as the Green Goblin comes back for revenge. Not only does he take away baby May (with her parents never knowing she lived) Ben Reilly faces his final fate as he defends his "brother." I know a lot of people hate the clone saga but this trade had a lot of the things I loved about it. The family Peter and Mary Jane were creating, which sadly Marvel broke apart. It also had extra scenes showing Ben fighting and the funeral the Parkers hold for their loved ones. Still if you're a fan of this period the great (but cancelled) Spider-Girl series shows baby May grown up and honoring her father and uncle Ben.

Anything else I'm missing?

When Social Services went after Bruce

A series of events lead a social worker to look into Jason Todds' death and the "unseemly" relationship Bruce seems to have with his adopted sons. It was an interesting read although the ending was a little weak. Below Tim has his interview and starts to clue into what the social worker expects.

Short Reviews: I, Vampire & Batwing

I got these trades for my birthday. I will say that even though I loved both of them their the kind of books I think I rather trade wait for because I believe the issues will read better back to back.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Not again Morrison...

Wingmans' ID. There's only one reaction to this.

SPOILERS for Batman INC. and mild-spoilers for DOTF (nothing big.)

Starfire Friend or Lover? Part 1 Kori and Jason

This has been bugging me for awhile because most seem to assume a lot based on the first issue and what critics against the series say. Let me start off by saying, no Kori does not have random sex with any guy that passes by. I was actually surprised by the lack of attention Kori gets from most of the opposite sex compared to some issues pre-relaunch where her sex appeal is almost always brought up. Of course since the first issue started it begs the question: What exactly is Roy Harper and Jason Todds’ relationship with Princess Koriand’r?

Red Hood and the Outlaws #13

I'm kind of curious why some tie in titles for Death of the Family are labeled as such for just a page tying in and others aren't.
SPOILERS AHEAD

Didio talks about Stephanie Brown & other missing characters

That bit about her being Robin just to kill her off is still a crappy move. But anyway interview here.

Sword of Sorcery #1

SPOILERS AHEAD

Batman #13

I'm glad I don't get all my comics through subscription. The wait is a killer.

SPOILERS AHEAD although this comic has been out for awhile.

Finally some Booster Gold news!

A mini bust based on his new costume! I call fowl for no Skeets but I guess we can blame Johns since he's apparently an anti-virus system now.

Another add onto my bat collection

Yea! They're making a new Huntress figure! (Though it's unpainted in the pictures.) It's about time she got a update!

Boo! They made yet another figure featuring Jason in a costume I hate! Really how hard is it to make a character in their most iconic costume? I detest the whole Morrison Red Hood arc and that outfit is horrible. Sigh.

EDIT: Wait Huntress seems to be Jim Lees' costume. Crap.

When Nightwing killed the Joker

During Last Laugh the Joker was killed/murdered by the hands of a member of the bat family. Yep, it actually happened in the main canon though only for a brief period of time. Believing Tim's dead Dick starts to wail on Joker. Thinking the whole thing is rather funny Joker puts salt on the wound driving Dick over the edge.

Tim shows up but by then Jokers' "gone." Someone (likely Batman) gives Joker CPR and Dick feels bad for breaking the rules.

The first page is Another example of why I believe Joker always knew who they were. I don't know why so many people are mad about the implication in newer stories. It's nothing new.

Early Bat-family solicits

SPOILERS I guess

Mothers of Robins

I have another week until I get Batman #13 so here's some more shots of Robin childhoods.

Both Jason and Damian grow up learning from their parents. But they differ because right from the start Jason learns what not to do based on his parents behavior. As a kid he has to take care of both of them. Damian doesn't really change until Dick starts showing him a new way. But even now he struggles with letting go of the things his mom taught him.

BTW did anyone notice Damians' teachers are the ones he's looking at in the sub scene?

Baby Robins

It's always neat to see how different characters start out.

Wait, Talia is how old?

Morrison apparently alluded to Talia being 26 based on an update on the event Ra's met her mother at. If that's true then Talia got pregnant with Damian when she was 16? Yeah, that's kinda of awkward.

Brett Booths' teaser image for TT #16

More DOTF art this time from one of the artists on the RHATO/TT crossover. Without context this does remind me of the first Spider-Man movie.

All in the Family

Skimming through my zero collection it occurs to me that here was a pretty big change to the bat books that’s not really talked about as a whole. In the new 52 the family has changed. Their no longer a group of orphans that end up together. Nope, more family members are mentioned and with them comes the potential for more stories.

The Die-Cuts Covers for DOTF

I like them but I'm not sure how their going to look over the normal cover. There's a hint of the characters' personalities (although I don't think Selina would have this reaction if the Joker was gunning for her.)

The coloring for Tims' mask isn't what it normally is, I actually thought it was Jason at first. Speaking of I guess we have another artist that's not a fan of the Rocofort face mask for Red Hood. Nevertheless great work.

I won't be getting Batman #13 until a week or so after it's released so it looks like I'll have to avoid spoilers for a little longer than I normally do.