Comic Book Reviews (Week September 7, 2022): Batman Issue 127, Immortal X-Men Issue 6 & More!

Welcome to my comic book reviews for this week (September 7, 2022). I will be covering Batman issue 127, Immortal X-Men issue 6, Dark Knights of Steel: Tales From the Three Kingdoms issue 1, and more.

Let’s begin by talking about Batman issue 127 by writer Chip Zdarsky. With the Failsafe contingency plan going wrong and Bruce’s life on the line, Zdarsky decided to bring back Batman of Zur-En-Arrh to fight the threat. I liked how Zdarsky handled the “switch” with Batman of Zur-En-Arrh trying to handle the dire situation and Bruce Wayne being on the verge of losing control. The current arc continues to dive into Bruce’s emotions and his sense of family and I’m here for it. Tim Drake shines too as the Robin that remains the closest to Bruce during a very tough time.

I highly doubt Bruce will be able to triumph without his Batfamily and friends. And the introduction of an iconic friend at the end has me very interested in seeing what Zdarsky will do next.

As for the accompanying Catwoman-centric side story, also by Zdarksky, it came to a conclusion by revealing some information about the Penguin and what lies ahead for Selina, Bruce, and Oswald’s kids. Zdarsky made use of his emotion-fueled storytelling with this chapter, too. There’s just something about Gotham that refuses to allow people like Selina, Penguin, Batman, and others from walking away. I have my fingers crossed that Zdarsky makes Selina and Bruce meet in one of his stories because I just know the emotions exuding from those pages will be everything!

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: Pick it up!

Dark Knights of Steel: Tales from the Three Kingdoms Issue 1

Serving as a spin-off to the main Dark Knights of Steel comic book series, the first issue of DKoS: Tales from the Three Kingdoms served three enjoyable little stories. We got to see a very young Supes, Supergirl, and Bruce uncover the mystery behind a giant winged creature kidnapping orphans in ‘Arkham Orphanage’ (written by Tom Taylor). The way the reveal linked to what readers have come to expect from Amanda Waller‘s thought process was awesome.

The second story, titled ‘The Flock’ by writer Jay Kristoff, was about teen Supes and Batman accompanying an always enthusiastic Harley to a local festival so Supes could be closer to the people he’s supposed to rule. It also offered as a backstory for a bunch of Robins and how they began working for Batman.

‘King’s Bane’ by writer C.S. Pacat was the third story and it explored a kid Bruce’s loyalty to the Kryptonians against a faction that would like to destroy said alien family.

I really want this spin-off series to continue. Tom Taylor has created an enjoyable fantastical world in his Dark Knights of Steel series and I want as much world-building as possible. Fingers crossed we get a tale exploring how Harley and Ivy met and fell in love with each other.   

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: Pick it up!

Immortal X-Men Issue 6

Even though I’m not the biggest fan of the current AXE Judgement Day event occurring in the Marvel Comic Book Universe, I still picked up Immortal X-Men issue 6 by writer Kieron Gillen because I heard it had a good Storm-centric moment. The issue focused on the members of the Quiet Council and what Shaw had in mind as a businessman. The entire thing didn’t reveal anything new about Shaw as a character, in my opinion, but I still think it was a serviceable installment overall.

As for the Storm-centric moment, we got to see Ororo putting her foot down in front of the Quiet Council, telling them that making huge decisions in her absence will have consequences. I also really liked how the members turned to her and Emma when trying to answer Shaw’s question, acknowledging the two women as the HBsIC.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: Up to you. 

Golden Rage Issue 2

After a stellar debut issue, the second chapter of Golden Rage by writer Chrissy Williams offered a lot of information about how certain things were handled on the island, especially the burial rituals. With the elderly ladies taking Jay to see the “witch”, I liked the emotional beats through Lottie’s narration as she remembered losing her wife.

There’s a mystery surrounding Jay that I would like to learn more about. Also, the danger on the island, due to the Red Hats, does come across as quite real. I don’t want any of the main characters to die or get hurt.

Does it have obvious queer characters? Yes.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Basilisk Issue 11

From writer Cullen Bunn, I’m not sure, but Basilisk issue 11 did feel like the penultimate installment. We got answers about the birth of the Chimera and how Regan and her group got involved in everything. With Regan getting ready to face her dangerous ex-teammate, Barret’s out there planning the reconstruction of the Chimera. I’m actually looking forward to seeing the characters getting to fight each other in one big battle. Regardless of Bunn being able to offer a satisfying conclusion or not, I think the body horror during the confrontation will be more than satisfactory.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

The Vineyard Issue 2

From writer Brian Hawkins, the second chapter of The Vineyard continued with the visually engrossing horrors of what two members of our main family had to do to appease Dionysus.

And while I liked Sophia coming back to help her mother, making her fiancé Calum tag along for a trip was such a bad move. It’s not like Sophia doesn’t know about her father and brother’s religious extremism. Why would she put Calum in such danger? I don’t know about you, but if anything happens to Calum (which it will), it’s on Sophia, as far as my opinion goes.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

Shock Shop Issue 1

From writer Cullen Bunn, Shock Shop issue 1 served as an enjoyable debut to a horror anthology series. We’re introduced to our host, Desdemona Nimue Moreau, as she shared two tales. The first one, titled ‘Something in the Woods, in the Dark’, followed a bunch of friends as they tried to offer support to two characters facing trouble in their marriage during a camping trip. As far as my opinion goes, cheating on your spouse is a more messed up thing to do than the person you’re married to being involved in financial trouble at work. The supernatural threat to the campers did look quite dangerous. So, let’s see who survives the ordeal.

The second story, titled ‘Familiars’, focused on a divorced man named Trevor moving into a new house haunted by supernatural beings. The way Trevor accepted the situation so quickly and also involved his two little kids made no sense to me, but I guess certain things had to happen for such a story to exist. Having said that, I am interested in seeing when and why the “helpful” beings will turn on Trevor and his children.

Does it have obvious queer characters? No.

Recommendation: Pick it up.

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Which comic books did you read this week? What did you think of Batman issue 127?

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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