Tony Daniel is a decent artist. I always liked his highly detailed style. Unfortunately as a writer his stories always seem cliche. Four issues into this arc and it feels like Batman just keeps fighting the same Joker clones over and over again. This story is stuck in quicksand.
When compared to what is going on over in Batman or even Batman & Robin this title just doesn't have the same sizzle. If Daniels teamed with a better writer Detective could be just as good as it's sister titles.
I liked the misdirection on the cover introducing Steel as a potential villain but as the story unfolds the traditional version of John Henry Irons makes his debut. I was never a big Steel fan but I liked the redesign of his costume and I thought the backup story was a nice touch. I usually hate these backup stories that DC puts at the end of their books but this one really worked.
Avenging Spider-Man #2
Zeb Wells and Joe Madureira hit it out of the park again. The Red Hulk is an awesome character. He maintains the same personality of his alter ego, General Ross, so instead of a rampaging and mindless brute this version of the Hulk is cunning and strategic. I always hated that big idiot so this new spin is intriguing to me. I'm so thankful to once again have a Spider-Man title that I'm truly excited to read.
The Defenders #1
This team has long been the butt of many jokes in the comic community. A team consisting of Dr. Strange, She-Hulk, Iron Fist, Namor and the Silver Surfer doesn't make much sense. It's as if Stan Lee put all the names of Marvel heroes in a hat and these were the ones he picked out.
This team has long been the butt of many jokes in the comic community. A team consisting of Dr. Strange, She-Hulk, Iron Fist, Namor and the Silver Surfer doesn't make much sense. It's as if Stan Lee put all the names of Marvel heroes in a hat and these were the ones he picked out.
Still, this new spin on the group has promise. The first few pages reminded me of Justice League Dark as Matt Fraction set the stage in an insane asylum. The appearance of the Black Hulk has the universe acting up. The next scene was just as good as Doctor Strange wakes up the morning after some inappropriate late night studies with a beautiful undergrad student. Doctor Strangelove indeed! Writers always play Strange as a boring, dry straight man. It's refreshing to see some of his flaws. But after the first couple of pages its pretty much your standard "let's get the band back together" story.
I did like Fraction's take on each of the members of this version of The Defenders. Doctor Strange is like a college professor trying to bang every woman in sight. Namor is his usual royal, snobbish self. The Silver Surfer is laid back and spiritual. Iron Fist is a big rich kid, more concerned with comic books than the mission and She-Hulk is just pissed. Overall it's a great mix of personalities that could prove to have great chemistry. Hopefully they will get some quality villains to battle.
My major complaint with this book is that it has no real direction. There's no niche for this team, no specific threat to defend the Earth from. Just a rag tag bunch of dudes out to fight......whatever. The talent on this book is outstanding and it wasn't a bad read. It just lacks focus. I'm anxious to see where Fraction and the Dodson's take this book -$
Panel of the Week: The Joker is going to have a hard time laughing about this.
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