How does Batman, a guy about punching, detecting, and arresting, celebrate Christmas, a holiday about sharing, loving, and giving? That’s the focus of this week’s Batman annual from DC Comics, an anthology featuring a bunch of stories ranging from the cheerful to the tearjerking, and there isn’t a weak installment in the bunch.
The lead story, and the strongest, is the heartbreaking origin of Ace the Bat-hound, as told by Tom King and David Finch. It turns out that Ace, before he joined the Bat-team, was a dog owned by the Joker, and Alfred has to try and train Ace to be a good dog. It’s an oddly touching story, and a reminder that no matter how broken an animal, or a person, may be, we have to keep trying to help them heal. Scott Snyder, Ray Fawkes and Declan Shalvey are close behind with a rare moment of peace in Gotham City. And if that weren’t enough, Paul Dini and Neal Adams step out to show Batman giving Harley Quinn a break on Christmas. Well… sorta.
Anthology comics can usually be hit or miss, especially holiday anthologies, but this is a strong set of Batman stories anybody can pick up and enjoy. If the holidays have you down, or you need a dose of unusual holiday cheer, make some time with Batman.
Savage #1, Valiant
B. Clay Moore, Louis Larosa and Clayton Henry deliver a book that riffs on, and updates, the story of Tarzan. Instead of Lord and Lady Greystroke, it’s the soccer star Kevin Sauvage, his supermodel wife and business manager Veronica, and their son, KJ. It’s an interesting update of an old story, not least in that it’s a little more open to the pulpier aspects of this kind of tale, and our hero’s parents don’t exist solely to die. It’s not breaking new ground, but it’s highly promising, and another interesting take from a smaller publisher.
Peepland #2, Dynamite
Christa Faust’s story about a peep-show sex worker who stumbles over some explosive blackmail takes on a much more sprawling canvas in this issue, which spans the mayor’s office to the interrogation rooms of the NYPD, and touches on the city’s ugly history with the Central Park Five. It’s an exploration of a New York that doesn’t exist anymore, although in places it appears that some things never change, no matter how much we try. One of the best noir comics on the stands, and a great argument for Hard Case’s shift to comics.
Ms. Marvel #13
G. Willow Wilson and Takeshi Miyagawa address a pretty common problem with superheroes: They can punch the hell out of everything, but they may not necessarily be able to make everything better. So what’s a neighborhood vigilante to do? Get out the vote, naturally! Wilson rather tackles some very real issues in a way that helps explain not just why voting is important, but how voting can be compromised unless you pay attention, and that makes this issue all the more important.
Jughead #11, Archie
Ryan North and Derek Charm wrap up Jughead’s solo title with a touching, funny final issue about Sabrina and Jughead, and how Sabrina’s oddball actions turn out to be the result not of magic, in the end, but a mistake. We’ve all been where Sabrina turns out to be, having screwed up and regretting in ways we didn’t realize would hurt at the time. And the recovery is a sweet and thoughtful end to an excellent book. We doubt Jughead will be without a solo title for long.
Seven To Eternity #3, Image: Rick Remender and Jerome Opena deliver that rare thing: an incredibly original high fantasy.
Great Lakes Avengers #2, Marvel: The lovable band of losers are back and funnier than ever in a second issue that delivers on the promise of the first.
Tarzan/Planet Of The Apes #3, Dark Horse: Tim Seely and David Walker deliver some good campy fun that balances both the classic pulps and the ’60s franchise.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #9, BOOM! Studios: Kyle Higgins and Hendry Prasetya deliver, once again, a comic that feels just like the live-action show of yore, but a lot smarter and funnier
New Talent Showcase #1, DC Comics: DC shows off some new talent behind the keyboard and the drafting table in a fun mix of short stories starring everyone from Deadman to Superman.
This Week’s Collected Editions
Vision Vol. 2: Little Better Than A Beast, Marvel (Softcover, $18): One of Marvel’s best books in years delivers its second and final volume as the Vision’s family falls apart.
Paper Girls Vol.2, Image Comics (Softcover, $13): This affectionate tribute to the SF movies of the ’80s goes back to the future as our scrappy team of newsgirls gets sucked into a vortex to the strange world of… 2016.
Superman: The Golden Age Vol. 2 (Softcover, $20): If you ever wondered what Superman was like back when your grandpa was a kid, these reissues are a great way to find out.