Batman: Li'l Gotham Special Edition #1 (2013)

Batman: Li'l Gotham Special Edition #1 (December, 2013)
"Halloween/Thanksgiving"
Writers - Dustin Nguyen & Derek Fridolfs
Artist - Dustin Nguyen
Letterer - Saida Temofonte
Editor - Sarah Gaydos

Heyyy, it's October!  This is the month where Autumn hits full swing... except in Arizona, where it's known as the month where we might not break three-digit temperatures every day.  It's also the the month we celebrate Halloween!

Gonna try and stick to a primarily spooky theme this month, but I'm making no promises.  Just came into some odd wacky stuff I'm just itching to cover, that has nothing to do with horror... though, may be horrifically bad.  One'a my best blog buddies is also making an event of October.  Mike Carlyle over at the Crapbox of Son of Cthulhu is going DAILY all throughout this month, digging some real gems out of the deepest darkest corner of the ol' crapbox.  He always does great work, so definitely give him a visit!

--

Our first (of two) chapters features Halloween in Li'l Gotham.  Batman and Robin are perched atop a building, and Batman mentions that Halloween is the one night that the Bat-Signal is on the entire night.  Robin spies what he believes to be criminals down on the street... and swoops down to kick some butt!  These are not bad guys, however... it is simply people dressed as Two-Face, the Joker and the Riddler.  I gotta say, that's kind of in poor taste, right?  It's like dressing as a serial killer... which, I know people sometimes do for Halloween... but it's still kinda weird, right?

We then go to an amazing page, where Batman shows Robin that on Halloween people dress up in costume.  Here we see kids dressed as all sorts of DC heroes and villains.  Really a pretty page!

Robin doesn't seem to get it, so Batman gives him the quick 'n dirty on the history of the holiday.  Sensing Robin's obvious disinterest, Batman sighs, and tells him it's all about dressing up and getting candy.  Now you're talkin', Bats.  Damien throws a batarang at a gumball machine... to which, Batman says "No."  He then trips a trick-or-treater, and steals his candy... again, Batman shakes his head.

Batman kneels down beside his son, and explains the concept of trick-or-treat.  Damien thinks it sounds stupid, but trudges up the walkway to a neighbor's house anyway.  He comes back completely annoyed... after all that work he comes away with... one piece of candy.

We shift scenes to an Italian restaurant where some real-deal Batman rogues-gallery members are dining.  In walks Batman and Robin, and it's like that moment where the needle skips on a record.  Batman orders two calzones for take-out... which is the same thing the wife and I order when we get Italian.  He then turns to the villains... and smiles.  He compliments them on their "costumes" and says dinner is on him.  To which the baddies cheer!

Outside the restaurant Commissioner Gordon and the Gotham City Police Department are there to apprehend the villains.  Batman asks that they give them a few minutes to finish their meal before arresting them.

The next chapter has to do with my absolute favorite holiday... Thanksgiving!  We open on a scene where the Penguin is celebrating the big day with... well, a bunch of penguins... er, make that a "raft" of penguins... thanks, Google.

At Wayne Manor, Alfred is hard at work on Thanksgiving dinner while Bruce and Damien watch the big parade.  Both Batman and Robin are represented in the parade as balloons.  Damien laughs that Batman looks more like Fatman... but grumbles over the enormous size of the Robin balloon's head.  It's a very cute scene.

Suddenly, the Penguin... dressed as a Pilgrim hijacks the event.  He threatens to subject Gotham to "Turkey Wrath"... which is exactly what it sounds like.  Bruce and Damien spring into action.

A fight is on... Batman and the Penguin get down and dirty, while Robin gets tickled by the turkeys... until he spots a trumpet and pied-pipers the gobblers away.

The Penguin attempts to flee by popping open a hover-umbrella (?).  Thinking quickly, Batman throws a 'rang into the big Batman parade balloon... which comes down right atop the baddie.

That evening at Wayne Manor, the entire Bat-Family shows up for a Thanksgiving Feast.  Of particular interest, Barbara Gordon is in her wheelchair here.  Of further interest, nobody saved a seat for poor Jason Todd.  Ain't that always the way?

We wrap up our tale in prison, where inmate Cobblepot is led to the dining hall for his turkey dinner.  After the day he's had, the last thing he wants to see is turkey!

--

Good God... how fun was this?!

I'm hard-pressed to think of a recent time where I've had so much fun reading a comic book.  I mean, I've read some great stuff of late, but this was just a hoot!  Had a stupid smile on my face the whole time I was reading it.  It's totally silly, sure... but a real treat.

The stories were just holiday-themed episodes, without a whole lot of consequence.  They were harmless, and wildly fun... jeez, I think I typed "fun" more times in these past two paragraphs (likely with more to come) than I have throughout my blogging career.

We're not going to worry about folks being "in character" here... that's really not the point of all this.  These are just cute throwaway stories... showing a lighter side of the brooding Batman (and company).  Watching Batman try to teach Robin about the history and customs of Halloween... man... amazing!  Seeing the whole Bat-Family gather at Thanksgiving table (except poor Jason, who never seems to get a seat) was wonderful.

The art here is amazing.  I've mentioned before that I'm not really a fan of the "animated series" style in comics.  I'm cool with it on the screen, but feel it doesn't really translate all that well.  This, cute watercolor deal absolutely works wonders in the book and absolutely pops off the page.  It's almost impossible not to want to read this after seeing it.

The good news is I had a great time reading and discussing this issue... the bad news is, now I gotta track down the rest of the Li'l Gotham run.  Most definitely recommended... put a smile on your face and grab this book if you can.  As luck would have it, the entire series is available digitally.

--

Interesting Ads:

Butcher #1 (1990)

Butcher #1 (May, 1990)

Writer/Co-Creator - Mike Baron

Artist/Co-Creator - Shea Anton

Letterer - Steve Haynie

Colorist - Julia Lacquement

Development Associate - Katie Mann

Editor - Mike Gold

Cover Price: $1.50

Here's a series I'd totally forgotten about.  I usually associate The Butcher with a Brave and the Bold miniseries he shared with Green Arrow... it completely slipped my mind that he actually had his own solo miniseries.

It's written by the character's creator, Mike Baron... who I kinda had fun with when I recently reviewed Sonic Disruptors... or one of the most unsubtle satires I've ever read.  Let's see how this one goes...

--

We are on board a train zig-zagging through the Canadian Rockies.  There is a large Native American man selling cigarettes and candy to the passengers... he's wearing a name-tag which reads Jonathan Butcher.  Suddenly a sharp-dressed pair enter the car, and bump our man out of the way.  They find an attractive young mother, and after confirming she's a Canadian, invite her to dinner in their personal train car.  One of the two reveals that the work for a Mr. Loftus.

Butcher's ears perk up after hearing that name, and after twosome depart he questions the woman's wisdom in accepting a private dinner-date with a perfect stranger.  She's pretty oblivious to the potential danger of such a thing... not thinking that anything could possibly go wrong on a Canadian train.  Is this a known thing?  Are Canadian trains famous for their safety?  I dunno...

Butcher heads to... okay, this is a bit confusing... either his own room... or Loftus' private room.  Not really clear as to which.  Either way, once inside he disrobes and enters into a trance.  He focuses in on a story his sister Sue Ellen had told him about a... sharp-dressed pair who tried to forcefully buy his family's gas station and convenience store.  When his father refused... they blew up the shop.

Butcher reflects on how his research following the occurrence.  After a month of checking into dummy company after dummy company, he landed at one name... Loftus.  He decides it's time to exact a bit of revenge, and dons his formal "dinnerware".  I gotta say, this get-up doesn't look nearly as cool as I think they thought it would.

We advance to dinnertime, where our Mrs. Karen McLeach is dining with creepy Mr. Loftus.  The young Audrey McLeach is tired from all the frivolity... and Loftus offers to let them have one of his (many) extra rooms... just how big is this car anyway?  Here we meet Loftus' bodyguard... a giant Korean man with a wildly unfortunate haircut called Kam.  Loftus explains that he wants to open a casino in Vancouver... where gambling is illegal.  But, oh ho... nothing's illegal for the Loftus's's's.  It's around now that our gal finally starts getting the heebie-jeebies about her dinner-date.  She makes sure to inform him that her husband is a Mountie... which doesn't impress him all that much.  She tries to politely leave... and that doesn't go all that well either.

Kam grabs her, and Loftus begins... threatening her, saying that he can make her do anything he wants, as touches her face.  She nails him with an open hand slap.  She's got some long-ass fingernails that make it look like Loftus was just in a scuffle with Wolverine.  This scene is pretty uncomfortable...

Luckily, the Butcher is nearby.  He is sitting atop the train car in full meditation.  He thinks back to a time he'd spent with his grandfather.  They spent four days fasting atop a butte.  On the final day, Butcher was left alone.  He watches as a lamb wandered into the path of a snake... the snake wrapped itself around the poor lamb.  Butcher felt the need to intervene, however could not move.  Suddenly a hawk swooped down and tore the snake to ribbons with its talons.  Butcher awakens, and finds that he is holding the remains of a snake and has blood dripping from his mouth.  Ew.  The grandfather informs him that there was no hawk... Jonathan himself was the hawk.  It is his fate to rend snakes.

It is now time for our man to spring into action.  There is a bearded man guarding the doorway to the private Loftus car... and so, Butcher uses his way with words to sweet talk his way inside.  No, he doesn't do that at all... he snaps the poor fool's neck.

Inside there is yet another guard.  This one's packin' heat... Butcher is able to kayo him, but not before taking some hot lead to his side.

The gunshot gets the attention of our flattopped bemulleted pal Kam. The two engage in fisticuffs until, during a grapple, Butcher plunges a knife into Kam's gut.  This only seems to tick the giant off.

Kam removes the knife and starts wielding it himself.  Butcher is quickly able to disarm the monstrous Korean... and then plunges the knife into Kam's chest.  Butcher... livin' up to his name!

With Kam... well, not dead... but out of commission for a moment, Butcher uses his glass-cutter to make his way into the car's bathroom.  Kam manages to crawl his way into Loftus' room, and informs him that there's an uninvited guest using their toilet.  Loftus then unloads his gun into the bathroom door... yeesh.

Loftus backhands Karen and tells her to check the body.  She refuses and... well, Loftus decides to check it out on his own.  Maybe this dude can be reasonable.  I did mention he looked as though he had a tussle with Wolverine a bit earlier... here I would have to imagine he got some of Logan's healing factor as his facial wreckage has all vanished.  As he approaches what he believes to be the dead body of the Butcher... our man... and this is pretty gross... kicks him square in the kneecap.  This is rendered really very well on panel, and is a pretty stomach-turning sight.

Butcher mounts Loftus and demands he spill the beans on the people who hired the Loftus's's to murder his family.  After a bit of coercion, he finally comes clean.  It was the Namdorph Corporation in San Francisco... specifically one Edward Gryzinski, who apparently works on the 35th floor.  Now armed with the information, Butcher slams Loftus in the chest... not sure if that was a killing blow, but soon that will be a moot point anyway!

Suddenly, a loud "chuck" rings out, and it becomes clear that the car has been disconnected from the train.  Outside we see Kam... yeesh, again with this guy... physically separating the trains with his own body.  Damn.

Butcher tells Karen to grab her daughter, as things are about to get bumpy.  They have no choice but to jump, for if they don't... they gon' die in a fiery crash.  Karen is justifiably reluctant... but Butcher... and the thought of plummeting off a cliff prove to be pretty decent motivators.

Once the trio collect themselves, Butcher informs them that Loftus' men will soon be there to make them all dead... and so, they must flee.  He promises them he will deliver them safely, and despite her reservations, Karen appears to be thankful.

--

Okay... well, I liked this a whole lot more than Sonic Disruptors.  It's got similar subtlety issues, but overall it's not bad at all.  In fact, the story actually somewhat engaged me... and I can see myself tracking down the other four issues of this arc.

The character of the Butcher is a lot more interesting than I thought he would be.  I like that, while he's a violent bloodthirsty type, he's also something of a tactician.  I was afraid we were going to go one of two ways... either a complete savage, or a tranquil peacenik (which would be ironic given the fella's name, right?).  Thankfully, he falls somewhere in between.

The villain during this issue is a bit one-note... but, that's all he really needed to be.  We get the impression that he's just a spoke in the wheel, and the real bad guy is going to be our man's ultimate target.

The violence is ratcheted up pretty high here (that broken knee... yikes!).  I actually had to recheck the cover date... I'd have sworn, from the contents, that this would have been circa 1993... post-Image launch, and all that... but, no!  This came out in very early 1990... which really made me take pause.

Overall, yeah... this was pretty good.  You may need to be in a very 1990's mindset to fully appreciate this... but luckily, that's like second-gear for me.  The art is a touch on the blockier side, but fits the story quite well.  It reminded me a bit of Larry Stroman's work on X-Factor.  I'd say this won't rock your socks, but it's definitely worth a flip through.

--

(Instead of the) Letters Page:

--

Interesting Ads:

Flash #333 (1984)

Flash #333 (May, 1984)
"Down With the Flash!"
Writer/Editor - Cary Bates
Penciller - Carmine Infantino
Inker - Frank McLaughlin
Letterer - Ben Oda
Colorist - Carl Gafford
Cover Price: $0.75

A few months back I reviewed the first part of the Trial of the Flash... it's funny, I always considered that story to be one that was universally reviled.  Perhaps that's a bit naive, as it seems that every story has its fans, regardless of what the "popular" or "loudest" opinion may be.  I have taken to reflipping through the SHOWCASE Presents volume devoted to it, though I'll concede I haven't revisited it in depth.

Learning that this issue is somewhat divisive... I went ahead and suggested this storyline to the Divisive Issues podcast to cover.  It's a fun show that covers some of the more controversial comic book stories of our time, and is definitely worth checking out if you have a free moment.  Don't know that they'll find time to cover the behemoth that is the Trial of the Flash... I mean, you can choke a whale with the collected edition!

Figure it's as good a time as any to pop back in on our scarlet speedster as he prepares to take the stand... in about a year.  Okay, that was pithy, I apologize.

--

We open with three shadowy masked individuals standing outside the Flash Museum.  They blow up the door and charge inside... their destination, a statue of the Flash.  We see the curator, Captain Kangaroo on the phone with the police, as the explosion got his attention.  It's funny, the vandals cut the alarms, but still used loud heavy explosives to break through what appears to be a glass door.

Once at the Flash statue, the trio starts gleefully smacking it with their blunt instruments.  Captain Kangaroo Dexter Myles makes an appearance wielding a firearm, but gets pelted in the noggin by a piece of the Flash statue before he can do anything useful.  The vandals, which includes an old man... who mocks the curator for being... an old man, decide to leave... but not before tossing a firebomb into the Flash Photo Gallery with hopes that the entire building will go down in flames.  Luckily the Police show up and drag Myles out.

We shift scenes to attorney Cecile Horton and her client the Flash as they lounge in Horton's family mountain hideaway.  They discuss a recent event in which Flash's first attorney Peter Farley was the victim of the ol' exploding office gag.  Somebody out there does not want the Flash to have decent representation.  Barry grabs Cecile and runs her to Farley's side... and this may be the only scene where we see Ms. Horton crack a smile... either that or the art is just wonky.

At the hospital, Farley is recovering.  Horton goes cold-fish again and pretty much tells Barry to beat it.  She tells him she'll be in front of City Hall later that evening, and he is welcome to meet her there.  A doctor enters the scene to inform the Flash about the going's on at the Museum... this is news to our scarlet speedster, so he jams out with the quickness.

Once there, the Flash checks in with Myles before running inside to try to minimize the amount of smoke damage to the exhibits.  He does so by creating a whirlwind.  Once the smoke is expelled he returns inside to survey the damage... luckily just in time to catch a poor firefighter who falls through the weakened roof.

We shift scenes back to our three vandals.  They are standing in an empty room aside from an empty table.  They hear a voice over a loud-speaker that commands they remove their "micro-sonic devices" which look sorta like hearing aids, and leave them on the table.  It then commands them to return to their normal, law-abiding lives and forget about everything they had done on this night.  They all leave separately... and we see the legs of a pixie-booted individual... I'm guessing we're in for some Pied Piper shenanigans.

We now join an in-progress police chase.  A car speeds over a rickety wooden bridge, however, due to an errant oil slick, skids right into the drink.  The car lands upside down in the muddy lake, and it looks as though those inside are doomed.  Ah, but this is Central City... home to the Fastest Man Alive!  The Flash arrives on the scene and saves the day.  Afterwards, an officer thanks him and expresses surprise that the Flash is still "in action"... ya know, because he's a cold-blooded killer and all.

The next day... well, I think it's the next day, the sky is... er, yellow... the scuzzy looking pair Mace and Spike roll up on the Woodside Psychiatric Clinic.  Mace has brought Spike here for some head-shrinking due to violent outbursts against his mother... who has been dead for six years.  Our poor young cretin thinks all women he sees are his mother, who by all accounts he has some unresolved anger toward.

It just so happens that this clinic is where Barry Allen's one-time fiance, Fiona Webb is working through some issues... not the least of which, her would-be husband standing her up at the altar... and seemingly disappearing off the face of the Earth.  Oh, yeah... and the Reverse-Flash tried to kill her during her wedding too... only being saved by the Flash breaking the yellow speedster's neck.  She claims that she no longer feels anything for Barry Allen, and the Doc thinks she's making real progress... but sadly not with her lazy eye.

Outside in the waiting room, Mace and Spike walk in and... oi, pull a gun on a nurse... demanding to be seen by "the nearest shrink in the joint"... I mean, I don't think you needed the gun here, ugly.  I bet the nice therapist wouldn't have any problem talking to you.  Anyhoo, they burst into the Doc's office.  Spike hops onto the couch and begins telling his sob-story.  The Doc, being held at gunpoint, carefully listens.  The lad talks about his mother, and begins glaring at Fiona.  He stands up, ready to attack.

Luckily, the Flash is in the house.  Dude's got some great timing, no?  He makes Spike do the spins by pulling his belt off.  He kicks the Kinison-looking Mace after catching a handful of bullets that had been squeezed off in his direction.

After the bruhaha, the Flash takes a moment to chat with Fiona.  She doesn't know that he and Barry are one and the same, so she holds no ill-will toward the costumed crusader.  She considers him her savior, having killed the Reverse-Flash to save her.  She says she'd be happy to testify on his behalf should his case go to trial.

Speaking of the trial, we now rejoin Cecile Horton outside City Hall.  She is approached by N.D. Rednik, who I'm assuming would be the prosecuting attorney for the Flash's trial... and potential Farley fire-bomber.  The Flash rushes in to carry Horton somewhere they may talk... and we come to learn that Ms. Cecile absolutely hates the Flash... and will always hate the Flash.  Ruh roh...

--

I'm really torn in how I feel about most things Flash-related from this era.  This issue comes... nine issues after the apparent murder of Reverse-Flash... and seven issues before the trial begins... and the gavel only hits on the final page of that issue!  I still can't help but have a soft-spot for this, even if it just drags on so relentlessly.

Gonna try to judge this one evenly... 

On one hand, the story isn't bad... but there is almost a tangible dragging-on involved.  Not going to blame any of that on Bates, as I'm guessing this was all editorially laid out to ensure the story roll on and Barry does what he does come Crisis on Infinite Earths... but still, it feels as though the story is on a leash, and just isn't being allowed to proceed.

On the other hand... if I waited an entire month back in 1984 to read this, I'd have to figure I'd be disappointed month after month with nothing much actually happening.  Reading this story in one fell gulp is one thing, but at twenty-odd pages every four-weeks?  No thanks.

Looking at the cover, it appears as though the "grateful" people of Central City have had a change in heart in regards to the Flash... likely due to the manslaughter charge hanging over his head.  Inside, however, we learn that's not the case at all.  Instead it's three mind-controlled people who trash the Flash Museum.  There isn't any animosity involved at all... excepting our green pixie-booted friend who's giving the orders.

I did dig that we got to check in on the poor jilted Ms. Webb while she convalesces at the clinic.  I know throughout the trial she kinda wavers insofar as her sanity is concerned, but I really like that we get a glimpse as to the psychoanalysis she's been receiving here.  Can't speak for the quality of it... but, I'm sure it's great comic book head-shrinkery.

We learn that Cecile Horton hates the Flash.  It's been awhile since I read this arc in toto, so I can't off the top of my head remember what her beef is... however, I'm guessing it's predicated in a silly misunderstanding.

Now, saving the hardest thing to talk about for last... the art.  Man, Carmine Infantino did some great stuff... however... unfortunately, this issue is pretty uneven... we go from a really nice looking page to... Oy, those are some ugly faces, several times here.  I always hate bagging on art, but I gotta say there were some rather unpleasant pages and people in this book.

Overall, I dunno.  Really can't suggest anybody go out of their way to check this one out... though by the same token, can't suggest anyone actively avoid it either.  The story is stretched, the art is uneven... but it's still the Flash, and I still consider it somewhat important.  I know I'm riding the fence and talking out of both sides of my face pretty hard here... but I think that's where I'm gonna have to leave this one.

--

Letters Page:

--

Interesting Ads: