Like most artists past their prime, Jim Lee recycles his older dynamic poses and iconic set pieces to mixed results. I won't say it looks bad but it's definitely derivative of his own earlier work and it stands out. Loeb's writing is much the same. This is definitely post Loeb peak. He's harder, his stories darker in tone, vocabulary and scope. He went through trauma. It makes sense. What doesn't is this story's existence. I'm happy to read more Batman but this story should have been written 20 years ago. This came out of nowhere.

One thing stuck out to me very specifically and I think it is very telling about Loeb's approach to storytelling and his perception of Batman. I don't think he has a lot of reverence for him which isn't a horrible thing. You don't have to worship a character and keep every part of their core tenets uniform forever, that's how characters change. But here, in the first two pages Batman kicks the mask off of a Joker henchmen, activating some form of Joker toxin/acid killing him. After yelling at their corpse asking where the Joker is Batman immediately turns around and kick the mask off of the other goon, again killing him. That's not even plausible deniability of murder or manslaughter on the second guy. Come on man. The first I can let slide. In the moment, he wouldn't know but considering that he's the world's greatest detective and this is once again somewhat of a detective story, he would easily be able to deduce that kicking the mask off of the second guy would result in the same reaction as the first one!

Overall, I do like this. I takes me back to a Batman that I've been missing for a long time but unlike some people, I would rather just read the old stuff than beg for what is new to be old again to eternally be disappointed or to actually get their wish and have two men who have really no business creating a sequel to a book 23 years later. It's well drawn. For Jim Lee, it's a bit disappointing. It's fairly well written. For Jeph Loeb it's disappointing. In total it's derivative and unnecessary.

One final note, I'm calling it now, this isn't about Hush. It's about Jason. They're going to make him a villain again. more

I am a huge Jeph Loeb fan. This underwhelmed. I re-read the original Hush to prep for this. It's a masterclass in comic book writing. Although, truth be told, it takes a bit for everything to click.

As such, I have faith this will increase in quality. I'm not going to write it off in 1 volume like an inflammatory child with an agenda against the writer.

Wow. Sometimes feeling like you’ve gone back in time when reading a comic is good. While some are hoping that Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb’s return to the pages of Batman for a sequel to their seminal “Hush” storyline will be a return to great comics of 20 years ago, it actually does more than that. This comic manages to grab the feel of Batman comics from even further back to the Bronze Age. There’s some Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams here as well as Gerry Conway, Len Wein, Jim Aparo, Don Newton and Doug Moench. This is a great start to a storyline and while it references recent status quo that has happened since the original Hush story, it blends it into the classic much more effectively than Batman or Detective Comics has in a while. There’s no B.S. in this issue. It’s just great comics. There’s Batman as detective in this issue, the Bat-family is firmly in play, and Loeb has an angle on the Joker that’s certainly not seen often. Jim Lee is doing some great work in this issue, he’s never been a favorite, but his storytelling is quite good here. This is going to be a special storyline and I believe it will live up to hype and expectations. Don’t be surprised if Batman surpasses Absolute Batman as the sales juggernaut for DC! more

Let's start this out by saying that the standards are pretty high going into Hush2. If that's fair or not, IDGF, it is what it is, and I can't help it. HUSH is probably one of the best Batman stories that has been told. The story is just starting, so I can't really fault much, about that. I had a hard time following the panels in different parts of this book. This is why I rated it an 8. The art was good, I loved the look of Batman, but lets be honest, Jim Lee isn't going to disappoint. I'll be in for the long haul on this one. It has all the things you want in a Batman book, the BatFam. No spoilers, go buy it!

Check out Lunchbreak Reviews to hear this and other reviews in audio format, and reach out if you want to be part of the show! more

Absolute Batman #6 maintains the all gas no breaks approach as the story presses on through a break neck pace of action laced panels. Nick Dragotta and Scott Snyder have made a genuinely funny series within a bleak premise and I applaud them for it since it is a rare feat worthy of praise.

usually don't give out 10 out of 10. But this is just because of how entertaining and fun this series is. Nick Dragotta's art finally won me over, I think he might be the next definitive artist for Batman if he keeps this out. Legit, this run can be the 2020s version of New 52 Batman. Absolute superman may be my favorite, Absolute Wonder Woman may be the best. But Scott Snyder? He's the reason why I became a Batman fan and got me reading comics like crazy. Absolute Batman is the most entertaining out of the Absolute series. In my opinion Scott Snyders the best Modern Batman writer of all time. more

Arc one is done. Arc two is a go! This picks up and continues Absolute Batman's story. The story is Epic, the art is fantastic, and he literally punts a baby... thingamabob! IDK. This is a good fun ride, and I'm here for it. I hope this one is in your pull box for sure.

Check out my podcast LUNCHBREAK REVIEWS, I go over the good & bad reviews, and then I go through the book on my own review system, the Lunchbreak point system. more

probably a cold take but this is my favorite Absolute universe series of all time. This is like if Superman wasn't self-less and was driven by vengenance of righteous rage. I am happy that Rafa Sandoval is the artist because this is his best work. I like Jason Aaron, the coloring, and Jason Aaron's vision of a different Superman. I think I am going to re-read this and the previous 5 issues so I can fully appreciate it. This was a knockout punch, and I hope this series will end on a very strong note. more

I've been reading Superman nearly all my 61 years. Long before I could read words , I could look at the wonderful pictures of a man that came to save us all. The story so far I have enjoyed but the art today by Rafa Sandoval brings me full circle to why I love comics. His art alone is worth everything to a real fan of Superman
.Absolutely the best interior art yet. Before anyone says this or that. Remember we all love comics and we all love what we love so let the nay sayers say nothing for a change....JM more

This was the book’s first perfect issue as we see the end of Krypton brought to vivid, horrifying life thanks to the incredible creative team. I was brought to tears witnessing Kal experience the gut-wrenching loss of his parents, his dog and his planet in a way that countless earlier DCU retellings have failed to measure up to. It also gives this Superman a clear mission statement that the regular DCU Superman lacks: to ensure that the horror of what befell Krypton doesn’t repeat itself, and which he sees already happening on Earth. I can’t wait to see where things go from here! more

This is the one I've been waiting for since the launch of this title. We get to see the destruction of Krypton, done in such an amazing way that will make you look at the world we are living in and wonder... and HOPE. The Absolute titles is my favorite part of the DC world currently, and I hope they keep it up.

If you want to check out a podcast that covers critics and user reviews together, check out Lunchbreak reviews. more

You know. Although Absolute Wonder Woman is the best, and Absolute Superman is my favorite. Batman used to be my favorite hero, and most of that aws because of Scott Snyder. I can easily say that Absolute Batman is the coolest of the bunch, and I love the world-building and Nick Dragotta's art. This series go so f*cking HARD and I love it.

Every issues of this book has been Batman AF! This Batman is on a mission, and good to see. It's violent, and story driven. I prefer the art of Dragotta over issue 4. No spoilers, because you need to go to your local comic store and purchase all 5 of the issues. I'm very much looking forward to where this is going to go next!

I'll be covering several reviews on my podcast Lunchbreak Reviews, as always reach out if you want to be a guest! more

Everything in the Absolute universe is really awesome. I'm enjoying all of the titles. I'm normally not a huge fan of Superman, as I feel like he is just too overpowered, and that there aren't any good stories with him anymore. Que Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, and the Absolute universe. This new take is out at the right time, and it really feels like the Superman I want to route for. Jason Aarons story is great, the art continues to SLAY, and I love the layout of this book. I like when we meet the characters that we know, and see how they are different in this universe. I'm looking forward to many more amazing issues!

Check out several reviews on my Podcast/Streamcast."Lunchbreak Reviews". more

This series and Tom King's Wonder Woman is like night and day. I like how this series focuses specifically on Wonder Woman, and the art really works for the dark gritty alternate universe the Absolute DC Comics are in. This was a solid read, and Absolute Wonder Woman has honestly been the best book coming out of the Absolute DC Comics.

Again, I really hope when James Gunn green lights the new Wonder Woman movie for his universe, I hope it's taking inspiration from this series. more

I’ve been a bit of a wait and see on the Absolute line because I don’t trust DC to not screw it up. They’ve been screwing these things up since immediately post crisis (Now I feel old).

I picked up and read the first four issues of this today. This is great and a nice change from the legacy DC titles which have become overly focused on everyone’s extended family. the bat family. Super family. Wonder family. Flash family. Whatever the mess of characters Green lantern is. All of those legacy books have lost focus on their core characters and for me are lesser for it. So I will go to absolute for the focus on the core characters (and will ignore Snyders card game scene in issue 2 of absolute Batman which made me want to go blind).

I will also go to this as I prefer the overall approach to the art versus what I’m seeing in JLU, Batman, Superman, and worlds finest. I realize people like the artists on those books but for me it all looks the same - fast paced with very limited sequential storytelling. Very Jim Lee influenced style, who I’ve never really been a fan of. Personal preference.

I’m “all in” on the absolute titles until they start crossing over with the main universe, change the creative teams, or start forcing alignment with the legacy universe.

I don’t want that flash of two worlds until absolute flash 123. But doubt they will wait that long.

Pretty impressive that Batman is probably third best of this launch. more

I unironically want nothing more from a superhero comic than a creative team with the fearless self-assurance to write something formally and emotionally breathtaking like the Circe flashback and then follow it with over-the-top surreal superhero bullshit like the giant sword, and to make it truly work. This is everything I love about superhero comics

Kelly Thompson is creating such an amazing Wonder Woman, and is some of the best work that I've ever read for the character. Creating the new status quo for a line that I hope will ABSOLUTELY be around for awhile. I love that we are starting to meet Wonder Woman's supporting cast, and can't wait to see how everything plays out. If I had to criticize anything about this book is that the art lacks a little for me on this issue, especially in some of the faces. The layout of this comic was ABSOLUTELY beautiful though! keep it going, I'm hooked.

Check out several reviews of this comic on the podcast "Lunchbreak Reviews". more

This was the best issue yet and brings home the core concept of the series and what makes this Batman different, and why making him decidedly NOT a billionaire was done. This Batman is very not just doing this out of a hatred of evil, but a desire to help people and to curtail corruption by those who have the power to enact change but don't.

Its not the first time the character has flirted with these ideas but id dare to say its never been more intertwined with the Bat mythos. Really good stuff. I think I'm in on this for the long haul now.

Gabriel Walta being on art duties is a big shift from Dragotta but I've liked Waltas art for some time and I think he's particularly skilled at conveying the emotion of this issue and the gritty struggle of Bruce trying to adapt to a situation he can't possible comprehend the scale of.

A great read all around. more

I really liked the story here. It was probably my favorite yet. However, I just can't get past the art. It worked better in the slower sections where there was mainly dialogue, but, it was just not great when it came to anything action-related or anything with a faster pace. I'm not even fully sure I want to score this as high as I am because of Walta's art, but Snyder's origin story here was just really, really good. more

Absolute Batman may just be my favorite thing that Scott Snyder has done in a while. The Absolute universe is better then everything that DC has to offer right now. I'm very much looking forward to watching it grow.

This issue we get a glimpse of the ideas that are imprinted on young Bruce to create this universes Batman. I was a little confused by the art at times, with the art change, until it clicked for me, then it made the issue better. Read it and you'll know what I'm talking about!

I will definitely be going over this book on an episode of Lunchbreak Reviews podcast. more

Snyder does not disappoint when doing Batman. This is some of his best work to date. TI love how this Absolute world is coming together. In issue 3 there was a lot of story to get too. There are plenty of story threads that are all starting to come together. I'm mostly looking forward to where Alfred is playing a part. I don't want to give any story spoilers away in this, as I don't think it is as good as the last 2 issues, but this one is more designed to further the story along, and it's fantastic. I'm starting to care more about the absolute world then I am Earth Prime.

Make sure to check out my podcast Lunchbreak Reviews where I go over some reviews, and place it in the Lunchbreak Point System. more

G.I. Joe is one of those books that I look forward to every month. I absolutely LOVE the Energon universe! Let's start off with the story, much of this is the aftermath of issue #1 where Cobra attacked the Joes. Duke is coming to the rescue, Baroness, kicks ass, there are a few casualties, and RISK is introduced. Tom Reilly's art is really what shines in this issue. This is a fast paced book, and I love it. I'm sure I'll be reading this one again! I highly suggest you get this one in your pull list ASAP! I can't find anything I don't like about the book, but I have a hard time making anything perfect. So that's why I gave it a 9.

Check out more review on my podcast Lunchbreak Reviews, and hit me up if you want to come on and talk comics! more

What a great book. I like how lois slowly trusts superman. I feel jason aaron found his groove again when he works with different publishers because he can write different and fresh characters.

This was EFN' AWESOME! So, I am not the biggest fan of Superman, but I really dig the Absolute Superman thus far. This issue was a great introduction to Lois Lane, and as a tough as nails Lazarus Agent, she may just find that she has a knack for writing. The 2 sided story between earth & Krypton is being told very well by Jason Aaron. Rafa Sandoval's art has to be seen to be believed. I'll definitely be talking about this one on my podcast LUNCHBREAK REVIEWS!!! more

Justice League is back! I loved the Justice League Unlimited back in the day. There are several things that I really loved about this comic. The story that they are setting up, sounds amazing. The art in this is top notch! The creative team on this hits this one out of the park. My favorite panel on this book is with AIRWAVE & Flash as they are hitting top speed. There is also quite the cliffhanger at the end, that I should have seen coming, but was pleasantly surprised. more

Great start

I really like how this story is structured, bouncing back and forth between the time of the fight and Canary's "training". Interesting so far, we'll see how it plays out.

I absolutely LOVED this issue. The team of Tom King & Ryan Sook are perfect. I really love how the WWE style commentary is the catalyst for Dinah, with her mom. I hope we get to see more from the Lady Shiva perspective at some point. This just felt like a movie playing in my head as I read it, and then read it again right away to make sure I didn't miss anything. The book was living rent free in my head all day yesterday, and even going to buy a copy for a couple of people that I think will enjoy it as well. Everything about this is amazing. The Art, the story is just so well done, I can't wait to see where this goes! more

This is how you get readers into strong female characters. You treat them as such. Don't infantilize them. They can still show weakness and vulnerability. Softness like she is exhibits with Steve and easing him into his realization he's in Hell. This Diana is about as strong as I've ever seen her. She is sure of herself and her desire to protect those she can. To be graceful, confident and immensely powerful. A total badass. It's everything Wonder Woman should be. more