Tag Archives: mike hawthorne

Preview: Batman #132

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Batman #132

(W) Chip Zdarsky (A) Mike Hawthorne, Adriano Di Benedetto (CA) Jorge Jimenez
In Shops: Feb 07, 2023
SRP: $4.99

The mean streets of Gotham City have gotten meaner as the likes of Harvey Dent and Killer Croc roam free, brutalizing the population. Where is Batman and why hasn’t he responded to the cries of a city in peril?! Can Bruce Wayne find the answers before the mysterious Red Mask captures him? And in the backup story, Tim Drake’s hunt for Batman continues. Will Metropolis’s newest Superman, Jon Kent, be able to help the Boy Wonder with this Multiversal mystery, or will they both run afoul of an overpowered Toyman?!

Batman #132

Batman #131 is fun but we’ve seen this before

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Batman #131

At the end of “Failsafe”, Batman was seemingly blasted into the unknown. Batman #131 kicks off the next arc, “The Bat-Man of Gotham” that takes us on the journey of where Batman is, unfortunately it’s a story it feels like we’ve seen before.

Now on an alternate world where Batman doesn’t seem to exist, Bruce/Batman is seeing a skeleton version of Gordon while he attempts to get his bearings. This Gotham is one that seems to have the heavy hand of justice with police that have no problem acting as executioner. Everyone seems to be scared and few seem to be willing to stand up to fight the fascist police. But, where there’s injustice Batman will rise and he does exactly that here.

Writer Chip Zdarsky seems to channel a few Batman stories with this new arc. It partially feels like “Future State” mixed in with “The Return of Bruce Wayne”. And so far, it hasn’t presented too much that stands out from either. The police of this world are tough as nails, juiced up on Venom making them difficult to defeat.

In the DC universe, no Batman means greater crime which forces Batman’s team to step up and fill in the gap. Of course there’s discussion that they truly don’t believe he’s dead… and it feels like something we’ve seen before multiple times. All that’s missing is for one of Team Bat to put on the Batman costume and take up the mantle.

The main story features art by Mike Hawthorne with ink by Adriano Di Benedetto and color by Tomeu Morey. The alternate Gotham is interesting with slight tweaks to make it stand out. The redesigned police force is interesting with an almost religious fanatic aspect about it. But, even that reminds me of the comic turned movie Priest. There’s some good action sequences and Bruce looks like he’s sore and beat down, it really sets the tone and mood of the opening arc.

The backup story features Miguel Mendoca with color by Roman Stevens and lettering by Dave Wielgosz. It looks good with some solid action and emotion flowing. There’s clear anger and frustration from Team Bat as they not only have to fight but also deal with a missing Bruce. It’s a nice contrast from the opening portion of the comic.

Batman #131 is a decent opening to the second arc in Zdarsky’s run. But, it feels like it’s something we’ve seen before. It really needs to show how it’s original and can stand out from what has come before. Overall, not bad but also nothing that really excites.

Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Mike Hawthorne, Miguel Mendoca
Ink: Adriano Di Benedetto Color: Tomeu Morey, Roman Stevens
Letterer: Clayton Cowles, Dave Wielgosz
Story: 7.5 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

Preview: Wild Cards: Drawing of Cards #2 (of 4)

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Wild Cards: Drawing of Cards #2 (of 4)

(W) Paul Cornell (A) Mike Hawthorne (CA) Steve Morris
RATED T+
In Shops: Aug 31, 2022
SRP: $4.99

THIRTY MINUTES OVER BROADWAY!
The story that set the stage for the Wild Cards universe – the tale of the Wild Card virus being released on Earth – concludes here! Jetboy, hero of World War II, finds himself back in action over New York City as a madman holds the city hostage with an alien weapon! Adapting Howard Waldrop’s classic story into the comics medium for the first time!

Wild Cards: Drawing of Cards #2 (of 4)

Preview: Wild Cards: Drawing of Cards #1 (of 4)

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Wild Cards: Drawing of Cards #1 (of 4)

(W) Paul Cornell (A) Mike Hawthorne (CA) Steve Morris
RATED T+
In Shops: Jul 27, 2022
SRP: $4.99

THE LEGENDARY GEORGE R.R. MARTIN SUPER HERO SERIES COMES TO MARVEL!
Spanning more than 25 novels, more than 20 short stories, released over three decades and written by more than 40 authors, the Wild Cards series tells the story of an alternate history in which the Earth is home to super-powered individuals. When a human is infected with the alien “Wild Card” virus, the odds are that they will be killed…which is referred to as “drawing the black queen.” Of those who survive, the bulk of them become “jokers,” left with some strange mutated form. A lucky few are called “aces,” those gifted with super-powers they can put to use toward heroes goals…or villainous ones. Now, for the first time in comic book form, see how the Wild Cards universe began with an adaptation of the very first stories in the original Wild Cards novel. Based on stories by Harold Waldrop, Roger Zelazny and series mastermind and editor, George R.R. Martin, Wild Cards is a stellar introduction to a whole new world reshaped by the emergence of superpowers.

Wild Cards: Drawing of Cards #1 (of 4)

Celebrate 650 issues of Daredevil with Daredevil #2

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Writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Marco Checchetto’s Eisner-nominated Daredevil run continued with a radical new saga that will explore both Matt Murdock and Elektra Natchios’ journeys as Daredevil. Daredevil #1 was an extraordinary debut issue that welcomed readers to the darkest Hell’s Kitchen era to date. And next month, the most legendary artists from throughout Daredevil history will join Zdarsky and Checchetto in Daredevil #2 for a giant-sized celebration to mark the milestone 650th issue of Daredevil including Rafael DeLatorre, Alex Maleev, Paul Azaceta, Phil Noto, Chris Samnee, Klaus Janson, and Mike Hawthorne.

In the aftermath of Devil’s Reign, everything it has ever meant to be Daredevil has changed. Thanks to Elektra and her newfound role as the Woman Without Fear, Daredevil is more ambitious than EVER. With a who’s-who of creators from across the fabled character’s history (and some can’t-miss surprises along the way), this oversized epic will kick off the next year of Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto’s landmark run on Daredevil off in explosive style!

Daredevil #2 comes to shelves on August 17th!

Preview: Wonder Woman: Evolution #8 (of 8)

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Wonder Woman: Evolution #8 (of 8)

(W) Stephanie Phillips (A) Mike Hawthorne, Adriano Di Benedetto
In Shops: Jul 12, 2022
SRP: $3.99

The finale of Wonder Woman: Evolution arrives as Diana faces off against a new and insidious DCU villain whose plan could rewrite all of humankind! The trial for humanity’s future comes to an end, but the battle for Earth’s survival rages. Will Wonder Woman make the ultimate sacrifice? Stephanie Phillips and Mike Hawthorne create a startling conclusion that will change Wonder Woman forever.

Wonder Woman: Evolution #8 (of 8)

Preview: Wonder Woman: Evolution #7 (of 8)

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Wonder Woman: Evolution #7 (of 8)

(W) Stephanie Phillips (A) Mike Hawthorne, Adriano Di Benedetto
In Shops: May 17, 2022
SRP: $3.99

On trial for the fate of humanity, Wonder Woman has fought to prove herself to cosmic gods. But with the verdict near, is this trial everything Diana believed, or is there even more at stake than she could have realized? As the gods reveal their true nature, Diana learns that the greatest threat to humanity might just be…Wonder Woman? The truth is discovered in this penultimate issue, but is it already too late?

Wonder Woman: Evolution #7 (of 8)

Preview: Wonder Woman: Evolution #6 (of 8)

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Wonder Woman: Evolution #6 (of 8)

(W) Stephanie Phillips (A) Mike Hawthorne, Adriano Di Benedetto
In Shops: Apr 19, 2022
SRP: $3.99

Can even Wonder Woman save a world without hope? Diana faces her toughest trial yet as she is flung into the future to save an Earth on the verge of complete collapse. Guided by a future version of Donna Troy, Wonder Woman must question the reality of her surroundings, while accepting the reality of the consequences. All this, plus the reveal of a major new villain!

Wonder Woman: Evolution #6

Preview: Wonder Woman: Evolution #5

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Wonder Woman: Evolution #5

Written by: Stephanie Nicole Phillips
Art by: Mike Hawthorne

The trial to determine the fate of humanity barrels toward a verdict as Wonder Woman is brought to Themyscira to face the wrath of the Amazons. After her battle with the Justice League, Diana is confronted with an angry sea monster, courtesy of Poseidon. But when Diana turns the tables on her Amazonian sisters and tries to escape the island, she’s faced with someone from her past who brings difficult news that makes Diana question her own reality!

Wonder Woman: Evolution #5

Preview: Wonder Woman: Evolution #4

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Wonder Woman: Evolution #4

Written by: Stephanie Nicole Phillips
Art by: Mike Hawthorne

Wrenched away from Earth and marooned on an alien world, Wonder Woman must stand trial as Earth’s proxy as alien gods determine if humankind even deserves to exist. Diana believes she’s the equal to any challenge placed in front of her, but even she is not ready to take on the entire Justice League in a battle with no quarter asked and none given! Wonder Woman goes cosmic with writer Stephanie Phillips (Harley Quinn) and artist Mike Hawthorne (Deadpool, Daredevil).

Wonder Woman: Evolution #4
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