Comic Book Reviews (Week April 21, 2021): Catwoman Issue 30, Batman/Fornite: Zero Point Issue 1 & More!

Welcome to my comic book reviews for this week (April 21, 2021). I will be covering Catwoman issue 30, Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point issue 1, Power Rangers issue 6, and more!

Opening with Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point issue 1 from writer Christos Gage and pencils by Reilly Brown, I kind of enjoyed the latest crossover. Even though I don’t play Fortnite, I know quite a lot about it. That’s why I think the creative team did a good job of capturing the overall vibe of playing said online game, where you have to shoot at everyone you see while running away from the constricting barrier (created by a toxic storm).

As far as my opinion goes, Batman fit right into the debut issue’s Fortnite shenanigans. I liked the creative decision to wipe his memory and making him unable to talk. There’s also mystery surrounding who kicked him through the portal. A couple of other characters from Gotham City, including Harley Quinn and Catwoman, already went in before him.

Due to being a Batman/Catwoman fan, I enjoyed the two faintly remembering each other even after their memories got erased. Seeing their muscle memory kicking in as they worked together to take down characters from the Fortnite franchise was fun.

With how things ended on a cliffhanger, I’m looking forward to reading the next issue. However, I can understand if such a crossover isn’t for every Batman fan. Having said that, each issue comes with a digital code Fortnite players can redeem for exclusive in-game outfits and gear. So, yay!

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: Up to you.

Catwoman Issue 30

From writer Ram V and artist Fernando Blanco, Catwoman issue 30 is all giving Selina another important task to handle. Even though Bruce and Selina are on a break and doing their own thing in their solo runs, their respective narratives are slowly converging. While Batman is busy in Gotham (which just saw the debut of a Poison Ivy-related new character named the Gardner), Catwoman is checking out a trail to help rescue a kidnapped Ivy from a rich dude named Mr. Roy. She knows her current mission involves stuff Bruce usually handles, but I liked her resolve to first do what she can on her own to ensure the safety of Alleytown.

As a fan of Selina, I’m quite interested in the current arc. Fingers crossed she’s able to help Ivy. And while I get she doesn’t want to get Bruce involved (yet), couldn’t she call Harley? Ivy’s her girlfriend, after all. Also, if you have any theories about the identity of the mysterious guy who gave Selina the invites to Mr. Roy’s party, let me know.

Does it include obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Captain Marvel Issue 28

Am I salty over Marvel Comics deciding to explore Carol (who has no natural affinity for magic) venturing into the occult while the X-Office still hasn’t done a similar storyline for Storm (who has magic in her bloodline!!!!)? Of course, I am!

However, having said that, I’m a fan of writer Kelly Thompson, so I picked up Captain Marvel issue 28 to see what she’s got planned for Carol. With Jessica Drew bringing Carol to Dr. Strange for help, it becomes clear he’s hesitant to assist her. Carol doesn’t understand magic and wanting to grow stronger or be invulnerable to magic to try and prevent a disaster in the near future, while heroic, is accompanied by a lot of risks. Magic isn’t a plaything or a weapon to be used as one pleases. There are rules that need to be followed. It takes years to master one’s craft, and Carol wanting a crash course rightfully leads to Dr. Strange warning other magic wielders to not help her. 

I loved the panel (above) where Carol contacts all of the magic users she knows to try and get at least one of them to teach her. However, being desperate and out of options, the reveal of the person she finally reaches out to makes for a very exciting cliffhanger.

Here’s hoping someone over at the X-Office decides to explore Storm’s magical heritage, too, or at least find a way to make me pick up an X-Men comic book again.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Power Rangers Issue 6

Writer Ryan Parrott continues his epic world, or I should say galaxy-building with Power Rangers issue 6. Due to Trini, Jason, and Zack separating themselves from Zordon and spending too much time with Lord Drakkon, I’m enjoying Parrott making the young heroes realize that good and evil aren’t always clearly defined. As shown in this book, sometimes you might have to do the wrong thing for the right reasons.

Even though the current issue had some morally hard-hitting stuff, Parrott made sure to add in a lot of action. The mission to rescue Jason, Zack, and Astronema from the police train came across as quite fast-paced due to artist Francesco Mortarino and colorist Raul Angulo.

Drakkon’s clearly planning something, and I can feel a lot of things not ending in favor of the Power Rangers as they continue trekking the galaxy on the hunt for the Empyreals.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP!

The Old Guard: Tales Through Time Issue 1

While we wait for The Old Guard 2 to be released on Netflix and the final installment in the main comic book series, at least we have the six-issue The Old Guard: Tales Through Time anthology to provide us with enjoyable content. The first story, ‘My Mother’s Axe’, is by writer Greg Rucka and artist Leandro Fernandez. It focuses on Andy telling Nile about her Labrys. Serving as a retelling of the ‘Ship of Theseus‘, we get to learn about the origins of Andy’s weapon and how it ended up in its current state. For Andy, it’s the same weapon her “mother” gave her even though, according to Nile, none of the original parts remain. But I guess, for a person like Andy it’s the memories that matter the most.

The second story, ‘Zanzibar and Other Harbors’, is by writer Andrew Wheeler and artist Jacopo Camagni. Set in Berlin, November of 1932, it has Joe and Nicky visiting a bar and realizing that for minorities (especially the queer community), the more things change the more they stay the same. Every era will have those who wish to oppress or destroy others. Joe and Nicky have tried to help numerous people through the years and while it can get tiring, they know they can’t stop because that’s just who they are. I liked how the mini-story made them realize that even if they can’t see it, for those they have saved, Joe and Nicky will always be looked at as guardian angels.

Does it have obvious queer representation: Yes.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP!

Specter Inspectors Issue 3

From writer Bowen McCurdy and Kaitlyn Musto, Specter Inspectors issue 3 gives us quite a bit of information about what our young leads are up against. A trip to the local museum to find clues about what the Mayor was up to turns into a haunted mansion experience when the building separates the four into pairs.

As Gus and Astrid try and find their way back to Noa and Ko, we learn about Astrid’s feelings for Noa. I liked how Astrid used the vision of the ghost possessing her to figure out how to find hidden pathways in the building. While that’s happening, Ko and Noa’s interaction shares Ko’s true feelings about why he’s hanging around with the group even though he doesn’t like scary things.

As for the cult that wants to exorcise the demon, even though the members are human, I do think their leader has some kind of supernatural ability. The kids now know who’s after them. So, I’m excited to see them try and solve the current mystery while being chased by the cult.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: PICK IT UP!

–

You can read Jessica’s review of Nightwing Issue 79 here.

Which comics did you read this week? Did you enjoy Catwoman issue 30?

Let us know.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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