Two-Face Tuesday! An exhaustive, long-overdue look at the infuating waste that is "Face the Face"
May. 24th, 2011 12:03 pm![[personal profile]](http://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
thehefnerThis is a big one. Grab a snack.
I've been putting off reviewing Batman: Face the Face for five years now. Every time I started, my criticisms melted down into curses and incoherent ranting, until my computer screen became obscured by rabid spittle. Okay, it wasn't THAT bad, but still.
In some ways, it's actually an ideal introductory trade paperback to get into Batman. Like Hush, it's a murder mystery that also serves as a tour of Gotham's inhabitants, and it was immediately followed by Grant Morrison and Paul Dini's runs. Unfortunately, it's also deeply frustrating, especially if you're a fan of Harvey Dent.
This was the first story to use the character in the three years since Hush, since Loeb supposedly had plans for Harvey hich kept him in limbo until those plans would reach fruition. They never did, and I think folks at DC wanted their precious status quo back in place. I also understand that Two-Face is Dan DiDio's favorite villain, which may have been a factor. In any case, Face the Face is one of the most significant Two-Face stories in canon, and also one of the most painfully frustrating. After five years, I finally have the words to explain just why.
( The lost year of Gotham's Unknown Protector, Harvey Dent )
Batman: Face the Face can be purchased here if you wish to read the story in full, including the Tim Drake subplot, several other Rogues doing their Rogue things, and the entire issue dedicated to Harvey and Two-Face's discussion. As mentioned above, it also serves as a gateway to the comics which are coming out today, leading directly to Dini's Detective Comics and Morrison's Batman.
I've been putting off reviewing Batman: Face the Face for five years now. Every time I started, my criticisms melted down into curses and incoherent ranting, until my computer screen became obscured by rabid spittle. Okay, it wasn't THAT bad, but still.
In some ways, it's actually an ideal introductory trade paperback to get into Batman. Like Hush, it's a murder mystery that also serves as a tour of Gotham's inhabitants, and it was immediately followed by Grant Morrison and Paul Dini's runs. Unfortunately, it's also deeply frustrating, especially if you're a fan of Harvey Dent.
This was the first story to use the character in the three years since Hush, since Loeb supposedly had plans for Harvey hich kept him in limbo until those plans would reach fruition. They never did, and I think folks at DC wanted their precious status quo back in place. I also understand that Two-Face is Dan DiDio's favorite villain, which may have been a factor. In any case, Face the Face is one of the most significant Two-Face stories in canon, and also one of the most painfully frustrating. After five years, I finally have the words to explain just why.
( The lost year of Gotham's Unknown Protector, Harvey Dent )
Batman: Face the Face can be purchased here if you wish to read the story in full, including the Tim Drake subplot, several other Rogues doing their Rogue things, and the entire issue dedicated to Harvey and Two-Face's discussion. As mentioned above, it also serves as a gateway to the comics which are coming out today, leading directly to Dini's Detective Comics and Morrison's Batman.
Tags:
- char: alfred pennyworth,
- char: azrael/jean paul valley,
- char: batman/bruce wayne,
- char: batwoman/kate kane,
- char: great white shark/warren white,
- char: harvey bullock,
- char: jim gordon,
- char: kgbeast/anatoli knyazev,
- char: killer moth/drury walker,
- char: mad hatter/jervis tetch,
- char: magpie/margaret pye,
- char: orca/grace balin,
- char: question/renee montoya,
- char: question/vic sage,
- char: robin/red robin/tim drake,
- char: tally man,
- char: two-face/harvey dent,
- char: ventriloquist/arnold wesker,
- creator: andy clarke,
- creator: barry kitson,
- creator: dennis o'neil,
- creator: don kramer,
- creator: greg rucka,
- creator: leonard kirk
thehefnerAll good things, and all that.
If you haven't been reading these strips, you can find them all at over here, which I figure will be easier than giving you a whole bunch of links. For those who have been reading it, thanks for all your comments. This has been a labor of love, and I'm gratified by all the thoughtful responses for this lost gem I've been obsessed over for the past month.
I don't know why the Batman strip ended on what I can only assume was due to cancellation. Poor response from readers? The impending release of Batman Returns? Some editor didn't like it for whatever petty reason? Maybe we'll finally get the answers should this strip ever see print someday.
Either way, it's strange that the strip should end with a Mad Hatter story. But even still, Messner-Loebs manages to bring the story to an end which I found surprising and moving. As with the entire strip, this final story is not without its flaws, but it's also more bold and intriguing--in its own quiet way--than many Batman stories in recent memory.
( Final showdown in Arkham Asylum, behind the cut )
So at the end, what is there to say about the Batman comic strip? It wasn't perfect, partially due to the daily nature of the format, and partially due to creative inconsistencies. The series ended abruptly, with little in the way of a last word for major characters like Dick, Alfred, Jim Gordon, the Joker, or even Alice Dent. Even Bruce's own arc seems only sketched out at best, leaving us to fill in the blanks.
But as I said before, the true protagonist of this strip--at least, ever since Messner-Loebs and Infantino took over--was actually Harvey Dent. His arc frames the entire strip, which ends exactly when his own story does. Warts and all, this is one of the greatest Two-Face stories I have ever read.
If you haven't been reading these strips, you can find them all at over here, which I figure will be easier than giving you a whole bunch of links. For those who have been reading it, thanks for all your comments. This has been a labor of love, and I'm gratified by all the thoughtful responses for this lost gem I've been obsessed over for the past month.
I don't know why the Batman strip ended on what I can only assume was due to cancellation. Poor response from readers? The impending release of Batman Returns? Some editor didn't like it for whatever petty reason? Maybe we'll finally get the answers should this strip ever see print someday.
Either way, it's strange that the strip should end with a Mad Hatter story. But even still, Messner-Loebs manages to bring the story to an end which I found surprising and moving. As with the entire strip, this final story is not without its flaws, but it's also more bold and intriguing--in its own quiet way--than many Batman stories in recent memory.
( Final showdown in Arkham Asylum, behind the cut )
So at the end, what is there to say about the Batman comic strip? It wasn't perfect, partially due to the daily nature of the format, and partially due to creative inconsistencies. The series ended abruptly, with little in the way of a last word for major characters like Dick, Alfred, Jim Gordon, the Joker, or even Alice Dent. Even Bruce's own arc seems only sketched out at best, leaving us to fill in the blanks.
But as I said before, the true protagonist of this strip--at least, ever since Messner-Loebs and Infantino took over--was actually Harvey Dent. His arc frames the entire strip, which ends exactly when his own story does. Warts and all, this is one of the greatest Two-Face stories I have ever read.
Tags:
Batman Master Series & Question
Aug. 20th, 2010 10:11 pmTags:
- char: batman/bruce wayne,
- char: black mask/roman sionis,
- char: jim gordon,
- char: joker,
- char: lady shiva/sandra woosan,
- char: mad hatter/jervis tetch,
- char: poison ivy/pamela isley,
- char: robin/red hood/jason todd,
- char: robin/red robin/tim drake,
- char: sarah essen,
- char: ventriloquist/arnold wesker
Tags:
- char: batgirl/oracle/barbara gordon,
- char: batman/bruce wayne,
- char: black bat/batgirl/cassandra cain,
- char: catwoman/selina kyle,
- char: harley quinn/harleen quinzel,
- char: hawkgirl/shiera sanders,
- char: hawkman/carter hall,
- char: mad hatter/jervis tetch,
- char: poison ivy/pamela isley,
- char: robin/nightwing/dick grayson,
- char: robin/red robin/tim drake,
- char: spoiler/batgirl/robin/steph brown,
- creator: j. m. dematteis,
- creator: keith giffen,
- creator: kevin maguire,
- medium: video,
- nsfw: language,
- publisher: dc comics
Tags:
Two-Face Tuesday! Harvey reunited with Jim Gordon! Two-Face vs. a werewolf! ... What, really?
Jan. 26th, 2010 12:42 amthehefnerLast week's post on Harvey's sides(s) in NIGHTWING: THE GREAT LEAP provoked some absolutely awesome discussion, which was so great to see after all the work I put into that'un. I realize that most of these posts are catering to a specific niche, and will usually just get a handful of comments.
But hey, I love the character. And besides, when it comes to being the best damn comics-discussion community in the world... well, what can I say? I believe in![[community profile]](http://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
scans_daily.
That said, this week's entry is gonna be much lazier. No essays or opinion pieces, just a sampler from two Harvey-centric short stories, both of which s_d old-timers will remember from the original community. In the first one, Harvey and his old buddy Commissioner "Jimbo" Gordon briefly reunite to track down none other than "Boss" Moroni himself (still alive in this story, natch).
In the second, Harvey fights a werewolf in Arkham. Because really, why not?
( Unusual Two-Face pairings behind the cut! )
But hey, I love the character. And besides, when it comes to being the best damn comics-discussion community in the world... well, what can I say? I believe in
scans_daily.That said, this week's entry is gonna be much lazier. No essays or opinion pieces, just a sampler from two Harvey-centric short stories, both of which s_d old-timers will remember from the original community. In the first one, Harvey and his old buddy Commissioner "Jimbo" Gordon briefly reunite to track down none other than "Boss" Moroni himself (still alive in this story, natch).
In the second, Harvey fights a werewolf in Arkham. Because really, why not?
( Unusual Two-Face pairings behind the cut! )
Two-Face Tuesday: The Charlatan, Part 2
Jan. 5th, 2010 09:56 pmthehefnerThe second and final part of "Dead Reckoning," a seemingly-forgotten six-part DETECTIVE COMICS story by Ed Brubaker featuring one of the most intriguing (and since unused) new villains to appear in BATMAN comics over the past decade.
( Seriously, what the heck did the Rogues DO to this poor(?) guy? )
It kind of boggles my mind that no one's done anything with the Charlatan since this story, back in July 2003. He hasn't even gotten so much as a cameo in an Arkham cell! Such a shame. Just think of the potential for an insane method actor and master of disguise with the inability to feel fear!
Plus, just imagine: he could have an in-Arkham romance with Jane Doe... assuming the two could find one another. And maybe since he's a lover of Lon Chaney and Boris Karloff, perhaps Sloane's an admirer of Basil Karlo! I could totally see the Charlatan and Clayface putting on a grand theatrical production of crime and horror. But then, maybe that's just the ham actor in me.
( Seriously, what the heck did the Rogues DO to this poor(?) guy? )
It kind of boggles my mind that no one's done anything with the Charlatan since this story, back in July 2003. He hasn't even gotten so much as a cameo in an Arkham cell! Such a shame. Just think of the potential for an insane method actor and master of disguise with the inability to feel fear!
Plus, just imagine: he could have an in-Arkham romance with Jane Doe... assuming the two could find one another. And maybe since he's a lover of Lon Chaney and Boris Karloff, perhaps Sloane's an admirer of Basil Karlo! I could totally see the Charlatan and Clayface putting on a grand theatrical production of crime and horror. But then, maybe that's just the ham actor in me.
Tags:
Two-Face Tuesday: The Charlatan, Part 1
Jan. 5th, 2010 12:02 amthehefnerIn last week's post about Paul Sloane--the second Two-Face--lbd_nytetrayn asked if Paul's made any appearances since his brief return in 1987. The answer is yes(ish), thanks to the generally-great Ed Brubaker.
In early 2003, while "Hush" was well underway in BATMAN, DETECTIVE COMICS writer Ed Brubaker penned his own six-part murder mystery that tied together all of Batman's rogues in a secret conspiracy to kill the caped crusader. And unlike "Hush," which brought in a brand-new character to fulfill the double-cliches of being "long lost childhood best friend" and "totally obvious red herring," Brubaker dusted off the concept of Paul Sloane for "Dead Reckoning," but with a modern twist. In doing so, he created a far more interesting original villain than Hush himself, one with tons of potential who, of course, hasn't been seen nor mentioned since.
For that and many other reasons, I lament that this story was utterly ignored in favor of "Hush." Not that this story isn't without its flaws--oh my, it has them--but we'll get to those inside.
( If anyone actually still uses dial-up, then beware! 21 pages behind the cut! )
If this story had a more appropriate artist, or a superstar on par with Tim Sale or Jim Lee, I can't help but wonder if it might have gotten far more attention. For all its flaws, I think this is still a superior story than "Hush," even if much of the superiority comes from untapped potential. But I'll let you decide when I post the finale later today.
lbd_nytetrayn asked if Paul's made any appearances since his brief return in 1987. The answer is yes(ish), thanks to the generally-great Ed Brubaker. In early 2003, while "Hush" was well underway in BATMAN, DETECTIVE COMICS writer Ed Brubaker penned his own six-part murder mystery that tied together all of Batman's rogues in a secret conspiracy to kill the caped crusader. And unlike "Hush," which brought in a brand-new character to fulfill the double-cliches of being "long lost childhood best friend" and "totally obvious red herring," Brubaker dusted off the concept of Paul Sloane for "Dead Reckoning," but with a modern twist. In doing so, he created a far more interesting original villain than Hush himself, one with tons of potential who, of course, hasn't been seen nor mentioned since.
For that and many other reasons, I lament that this story was utterly ignored in favor of "Hush." Not that this story isn't without its flaws--oh my, it has them--but we'll get to those inside.
( If anyone actually still uses dial-up, then beware! 21 pages behind the cut! )
If this story had a more appropriate artist, or a superstar on par with Tim Sale or Jim Lee, I can't help but wonder if it might have gotten far more attention. For all its flaws, I think this is still a superior story than "Hush," even if much of the superiority comes from untapped potential. But I'll let you decide when I post the finale later today.
Tags:
- char: batgirl/oracle/barbara gordon,
- char: batman/bruce wayne,
- char: jim gordon,
- char: joker,
- char: killer moth/drury walker,
- char: mad hatter/jervis tetch,
- char: penguin/oswald cobblepot,
- char: question/renee montoya,
- char: riddler/edward nigma,
- char: scarecrow/jonathan crane,
- char: spectre/crispus allen,
- char: two-face/harvey dent,
- creator: ed brubaker,
- title: detective comics
Gotham City Sirens, Who They Are and How They Came To Be, Part 1: Poison Ivy
Mar. 17th, 2009 06:34 am![[identity profile]](http://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
ebailey140.insanejournal.comWith the upcoming series starring Gotham's three most prominant bad girls, I figured I'd spotlight each of them in current DCU continuity, their origins, motivations, what they have in common and what sets them apart. We'll start with everyone's favorite psychotic eco-terrorist, Dr. Pamela Isley, aka Poison Ivy.
Poison Ivy was introduced during the Silver Age, and was typical of the gimmick villains of the time. Her original origin was she was a botanist who assisted Marc LeGrande in stealing ancient Egyptian poisonous herbs. He attempted to kill her with them, but she survived and discovered she was immune to all poisons and diseases. She was a femme fatale with a plant theme.
After Crisis of Infinite Earths, many characters and series had their continuity rebooted or revamped. In Ivy's case, the revamping for the new era was done by a then up and coming writer named Neil Gaiman.
Needless to say, the result was a more complex, not to mention much darker, Poison Ivy.
( Read more... )
Poison Ivy was introduced during the Silver Age, and was typical of the gimmick villains of the time. Her original origin was she was a botanist who assisted Marc LeGrande in stealing ancient Egyptian poisonous herbs. He attempted to kill her with them, but she survived and discovered she was immune to all poisons and diseases. She was a femme fatale with a plant theme.
After Crisis of Infinite Earths, many characters and series had their continuity rebooted or revamped. In Ivy's case, the revamping for the new era was done by a then up and coming writer named Neil Gaiman.
Needless to say, the result was a more complex, not to mention much darker, Poison Ivy.
( Read more... )
Tags:
- char: abigail holland,
- char: batman/bruce wayne,
- char: floronic man/jason woodrue,
- char: harley quinn/harleen quinzel,
- char: joker,
- char: mad hatter/jervis tetch,
- char: poison ivy/pamela isley,
- char: riddler/edward nigma,
- char: robin/red robin/tim drake,
- char: swamp thing/alec holland,
- char: two-face/harvey dent,
- creator: greg rucka,
- creator: neil gaiman,
- event: no man's land,
- publisher: dc comics
filbypott.insanejournal.com
This is the first in a short series of posts about one of my favorite Bat-villains, the Mad Hatter. But first, a short history of the character. (If beyond all hope, our LJ community comes back online, I'll repost there.)
( Click for more! )
So that's the end of that Hatter. Like I said, his existence hasn't been acknowledged since, and once "our" Hatter appeared in Knightfall, was cemented as the Hatter.
Next (if I get around to it), the introduction of the modern version of the Mad Hatter. See ya soon!
filbypott.insanejournal.comWelcome back to my series of posts on my favorite Bat-villain, the Mad Hatter. Previously, I posted scans from a story featuring "the other Mad Hatter", a mustachioed maniac who was retconned to be an impostor playing at being the macrocephalic menace we've come to know. But now, let's go back to the Golden Age to see the origin of the "real" Jervis Tetch. I was surprised to learn that this story not only introduced the Hatter, but also Bruce Wayne's long-time Lois Lane ripoff lady friend Vicki Vale as well.
( 11 more scans behind the cut (and no worries, the book was 40 pages long.) )
Coming soon, the modern incarnation of the Mad Hatter - same Hat-time, same Hat-channel!
( 11 more scans behind the cut (and no worries, the book was 40 pages long.) )
Coming soon, the modern incarnation of the Mad Hatter - same Hat-time, same Hat-channel!
