Funko has revealed Bat-Mite as part of their Vinyl SODA line of figures. Bat-Mite is available for pre-order now.
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Gen Con is not too far in the future with the “best four days of gaming” taking place August 17 to August 20 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Knight Models has revealed a convention exclusive… Bat-Mite which will be playable in both their DC Universe Miniature Game and Batman Miniature Game.
The strictly limited edition miniature will only be available at Gen Con 2017, so get it while it’s hot! The game company hasn’t yet said which booths will be selling the figure.
There are invariably going to be comparisons between this series and Bizarro. Both are less serious looks at the DC Universe, one looking at a weird road trip, and the other of a Batman-like imp that is trying hard to emulate his inspiration. Both series have come out the same week for DC thus far in their short two-issue runs and thus the comparison is even all the easier. The first issue of Bat-Mite could be said to have a better story while Bizarro was funnier. While the second issue of Bizarro proved that the series needs a bit more focus and a bit more humor, this series continued the same standard set in the first issue as the character has some zany adventures, although they are not particularly funny.
The story here continues on the same plot of the mad plastic surgeons, with the somewhat unrealistic goal of trying to inhabit the body of Hawkman, as was discovered at the end of the previous issue. What follows are what can best be described as hi-jinks as Bat-Mite comes and goes from captivity as he tries to free the hero from the grasp of these villains. While it ends almost as expected, there is a bit of a meta-humor here as well, as the character seems to have come and gone without being there at all, or did he? Regardless the story here makes a lot more sense than it does in Bizarro, even it is not supposed to really make sense.
This series proves once again that it is a good idea to introduce a bit of lightheartedness into its DC titles, but also that the idea still needs to be refined to a certain degree. In going for Bat-Mite the creative team might have even handicapped themselves a bit as the story somewhat demands some consistency with the past as opposed to being able to completely break free. The end result is that this is a bit mediocre even though the promise of something more exists.
Story: Dan Jurgens Art: Corin Howell
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Pass
It was new comic book day yesterday! What did everyone read and enjoyed?
Around the Tubes
Publisher’s Weekly – 13 Great LGBTQ Comics – Some great suggestions.
DC Comics – Download the Official Bat-Mite Photobomber App – This got me to laugh.
Calgary Herald – Artists come to comic book shop owner’s rescue after thieves break in and steal merchandise – Fantastic to see this happening.
iO9 – Finally, A Hulkbuster Toy That Can Fit An Iron Man Figure Inside Itself – This figure is awesome.
Around the Tubes Reviews
Comic Vine – Action Comics #41
Comic Vine – Airboy #1
The Beat – Airboy #1
Comic Vine – Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #1
Comic Vine – Armor Wars #1
Comic Vine – Batman Beyond #1
The Outhousers – Brides of Helheim #6
Comic Vine – Darth Vader #6
Comic Vine – Green Lantern #41
Comic Vine – Justice League #41
Comic Vine – Secret Wars #3
Talking Comics – Secret Wars Journal #1
Comic Vine – X-Tinction Agenda #1
Comic Vine – Years of Future Past #1
In its endeavors to create humor related titles, DC Comics has gone to what are undeniably its zaniest two characters who have something to do with the mainstream universe – Bat-Mite and Bizarro. The problem with humor in the main universes is that superhero comics try to maintain a degree of seriousness. Although Bizarro has been around for a while and has factored into some serious stories does not stop him from being a funnier character. Bat-mite on the other hand is a bit more of an anomaly. First appearing in the silver age as Batman’s version of Mr. Mxyzptlk, he was not kept around as long. The match was never a good one for the character who has always been a bit darker than Superman, and so while always kind of around, the character has also been mostly ignored. In the past forty years he has only shown up a handful of times as writers try to keep Batman’s stories a bit more organic and gritty.
That all changes with the release of this issue, as the Bat-Imp is thrown into the DC spotlight with his own title. Though it is not really described in full detail here, the character is actually one that is somewhat powerful, more or less as capable as Mr. Mxyzptlk at reality bending. He ends up involved with Dr. Trauma, the world’s pre-eminent and most nefarious plastic surgeon, skilled at full body swaps. She toys around with Bat-Mite as does he with her and her assistant, and he ends up jailed in her dungeon waiting for someone interested in swapping out their brain for his. There is an interesting tie-in to the mainstream DC Universe as well at the end of the issue, which gives this story a bit more grounding as to what is going on outside of the humor title.
A humor title has to above all be funny, and this is where this issue fails to deliver. Although it is whimsical in outlook, there are not really any moments that will cause the reader to laugh out loud. At the same time although there are not any real hilarious moments, the story is held together a lot better than one might think, with the structure of a decent plot to drive the action in this series forward. This first issue ends up being defined by those two facts, as the humor is mostly missing, even while the zany plot holds this together.
Story: Dan Jurgens Art: Corin Howell
Story: 7.2 Art: 7.2 Overall: 7.2 Recommendation: Read
Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!
We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.
Brett
Top Pick: Midnighter #1 (DC Comics) – Steve Orlando takes on the brutal character, who also happens to be gay. Orlando is a talented writer and to see him take on such an important series is fantastic. Can’t wait to read this one.
Broken World #1 (BOOM! Studios) – With a meteor days away from causing an extinction-level event on Earth, time is running out for Elena Marlowe. While most of the planet’s population and her family were approved by the government to escape on one of the giant spaceships headed to another planet, her application was denied due to her mysterious past. With the meteor fast approaching, Elena tries desperately to find a way to fake her way onto the last ship or else be left behind to die with the rest of Earth’s rejected denizens.
The Bunker #11 (Oni Press) – Three months later. Grady begins his political campaign while Billy sits in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. But once again, everyone is at the mercy of their future selves. An amazing series.
Jupiter’s Circle #3 (Image Comics) – Mark Millar’s prequel series has been fantastic the first two issues. This third continues to look at how power corrupts.
Secret Wars #3 (Marvel) – The series really kicked off with the second issue. While I’m still a bit cautious about this major event as a whole, so far the main series, as well as the tie-ins, have all been very good. Marvel’s events have had a habit recently of starting strong than tanking, here’s hoping we don’t see a repeat.
Edward
Top Pick: Suicide Risk #25 (BOOM! Studios) – This is it! The finale to this gripping series. We finally get to find out the final fates of all involved and whether the heroes can save two worlds.
Bat-Mite #1 (DC Comics) – DC has been taking more risks than usual in the past year, and this series continues that streak running. It will be interesting to see what they can make of this series.
Justice League #41 (DC Comics) – After a lead-in like the last issue, it is evident that the creative team means big things for this series.
Morning Glories #46 (Image Comics) – The series should be heading towards another big moment some time in the next few issues. Will this issue be the linchpin?
Wonderland #36 (Zenescope) – Zenescope’s best series returns for its monthly dose of Wonderland infused madness and mayhem.
Elana
Top Pick (tie): The Wicked + The Divine #11 (Image Comics) – Stunning art, emotionally compelling characters a big fat mystery and a whole lot to say about being young and about pop culture and fandom.
The comic has been picked up by DeConnick and Fraction’s new TV production company so you better start reading this book before it hits the small screen so you can brag about liking it before it was mainstream.
Top Pick (tie): The Humans #5 (Image Comics) – Bikersploitation meets apesploitation meets 70sploitation. This new issue puts us on the road to trucksploitation too (yes that’s a genre! Haven’t you seen Convoy? I haven’t but whatever).
This underground comic styled book is one of the best comics of the year. Neely’s art is evocative, expressive and funny but it is also technically outstanding. He’s a remarkable draftsman and inker. Reading this book will remind you why hand lettering and coloring makes such a big difference.
Oh and there’s sex and drugs and violence and monkeys and a soundtrack to download.
Airboy #1 (Image Comics) – Robinson is a strong writer who’s known for excavating emotional resonance and intellectual stories out of overlooked gold and silver age heroes.
And that’s the joke here.
The preview makes it clear this comic has a different project in mind. He’s created a meta comic about the making of an air boy comic (air boy being a square golden age hero) and the drugs one takes to do so– starring non other then James Robinson & Greg Hinkle (this book’s creative team). There are Hunter S Thompson references.
Sure! Why not!
Spiderwoman #8 (Marvel) – Hopeless’s run has always been a fun read but as of last issue it’s turning out to be a comic that has something to say. Last issue included a big reveal that makes us question a lot of our assumptions about criminals and about women. I want to see where this goes and I’ve never been as intrigued with this book as I am right now.
Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #6 (Marvel) – I love that front headline of this comic always states that she has all the powers of a squirrel and all the powers of a girl. Because both girls and squirrels have more power then anyone gives them credit for and this book wants you to remember that. Also it’s hilarious fun and totally beginner friendly.
“Big Daddy Cool” Johnny Dellarocca
Top Pick: Bat-Mite #1 (DC Comics) – It’s freaking Bat-Mite! What else do you need?
Airboy #1 (Image Comics) – Another great pulp hero by another established “classic” creative team (see a pattern here?). I am particularly interested in the concept behind this series, and the previews suggest that this is a “breaking the 4th wall” type of series that will have healthy does of action, adventure and comedy. Well, see but it is definitely worth a look!
Justice Inc.: Avenger #1 (Dynamite) – I’m going to be honest and upfront. I have never been a fan of The Avenger. I was hoping the Justice Inc. series from Dynamite would change that, but it didn’t. That series for me wandered and was too disjointed. Plus The Avenger was written like a spoiled whiner. Saying that, I wasn’t a Daredevil fan either. Until Mark Waid took over the book. Now mark Waid is writing The Avenger. I’m a little excited.
The Phantom #3 (Hermes Press) – There are two Phantom books out this week. While I love the concept of Dynamite’s King series, it hasn’t quite hit the right notes (unlike Flash Gordon). However, Peter David’s series from Hermes Press not only hits the right notes, it is an orchestral work of a master!
Princess Leia #4 (Marvel) – Another Mark Waid title, and in my opinion the best of the Star Wars line, and my top pick of the month. It’s a shame the series is only 5 issues. Waid and Dodson have created magic with this one!
