Green Arrow Quiver Review.

Green Arrow Quiver was the phenomenal first story arc by acclaimed filmmaker Kevin Smith that re-launched the series after its cancellation. Oliver Queen was brought back from the dead and made Green Arrow once again. This collection features the first ten issues of best selling series by Smith with art by Phil Hester and Inker Ande Parks. This new edition was released after the Deluxe Edition of Smith's 15 issue run which was due for release last year was cancelled. Both story arcs have been re-released in trade paperback format with Sounds of Violence next on my reading list. Quiver is regarded as one of the best Green Arrow stories, a classic and thankfully now back in print since April.

Way back in Green Arrow #101 of October 1995,

Oliver Queen had died saving Metropolis from a terrorist attack and his son and Connor Hawke had taken over the mantle and remained so until the series was cancelled in 1998. Then in 2001, Oliver Queen was revived and was Green Arrow once more, but it wasn't all as it appeared. Oliver was back, taking down bad guys and protecting Star City but the mystery surrounding his return and apparent demise is what garners most attention from his Justice League colleagues and intrigue for the story.

The opening issue is a prelude of events to come and predominantly features the loved ones of Green Arrow, remembering what Oliver meant to his ex-sidekick and adopted son Roy Harper/Arsenal, ex-girlfriend Dinah Lance/Black Canary and his son Connor Hawke. All reminisce about him and what they meant to them, this exposition fills the reader in on some of history and interactions with each of them, recounting moments from their past that informs the reader about the character without him being present on the page. Green Arrow Oliver Queen makes his triumphant return as Star City's protector taking down corrupt city officials and drug dealers and his on the hunt for the Star City Slayer, a child killer and later he goes further down to path to discovery of what happened to him. It's a interesting and great read, Oliver has no recollection of the past decade, his last memory is the infamous road trip he and Hal Jordan/Green Lantern had undertaken. The interesting premise of his memory lapse adds more depth and weight as Oliver has no recollection of what good and harm he's caused in his past to his loved ones and who is gonna break it to him that his best friend Hal is dead. It even restores his personality to that of the old fashioned view of the character had decades ago. His Justice League colleagues are in shock and amazement of his return, Batman is less sentimental, taking a direct role into the mystery of Oliver's return. The serial killer subplot runs in the background without Oliver's influence as he goes further down to road to discovering what's going on with him, but ultimately both elements tie together near the end story. Both the main story and subplot do feature elements of the supernatural, its a both nice addition and surprise to story, due to the theme of resurrection of a character in a series starring non super powered and realistic hero. Mia Dearden is a new character to the series and DC Universe, this marks here first appearance and is introduced as a teenage prostitute who Green Arrow saves on his earliest ventures actions into resuming his role as protector of Star City. She's a character that's notable in the Green Arrow mythos of this age. 

The story does acknowledge several events in the DC Universe but the important ones are explained in this book, as they are part of the story. The opening of the book features two key moments that start off the story a discussion between Superman and Batman on the rooftop of the Daily Planet during the events of Final Night, where earth's sun was extinguished by the Sun Eater, an extraterrestrial being and the event of Zero Hour in which Hal Jordan /Green Lantern had gone insane and possessed vowing to destroying the Universe in which the Emerald Archer played a key role. The art that I enjoyed so much when I first read Green Arrow Vol. 3 The Archer's Quest is still great here. Hester and Parks work is a light cartoon style that balances the dark story. Its a humorous and enjoyable story, Smith does a good job to get a few laughs. There is some great action panels in between the dialogue heavy story that's both complex and interesting, a character piece just as much as its a comic book action adventure story about second chances.

The ten issue story arc sold over a million copies back in 2001 - 2002 and became a number one selling tittle, a testament to how great the story is, Smith's tale paid homage to other Green Arrow creators of the past. It revived the old fashioned approach to Green Arrow, his amnesia reverted his personality back to a more classic iteration along with his classic trick arrows. Smiths writing is humorous and in the right moments somewhat self aware of the absurdity of some scenes.The book that I wanted since I got into the character but had been out of print and almost released last year only to be cancelled. Green Arrow Quiver lives up to the hype and reputation, a fresh spin on the character on that's been revived in a great story for a new series. Batman has a supporting role in the story and almost steals the show at some points, Smith writes the Dark Knight so well and went on to do later in career writing two limited series. I knew I'd enjoy the story to some degree been such a huge fan of Smith's previous comic book tenure Daredevil: Guardian Devil, but Quiver is a great comic book story that does what all great resurrection stories do reviving the character while touching on their long history.

Quiver rightfully held in high regard in a great story with some fantastic characterization and great dialogue makes it all a highly enjoyable read. Its arguably one of the best written stories in DC Comics history and managed to propel Green Arrow to the number one selling title for the company at the time. It goes beyond the standard revival story of and old hero, it tells a well thought out and plotted story without a retcon to continuity returning Oliver Queen back to the DC Universe.

The Flash: The Road to Flashpoint Review

The Flash Volume 2: The Road to Flashpoint is the second and last collection of the short lived 2010 series by Geoff Johns. The last five issues of the run are collected; The Flash #8 – 12 with art by Francis Manapul and Scot Kolins. A prologue to the events leading up to Flashpoint, the upcoming event that was first teased in the previous Flash story arc of the series. The time anomaly that will change everything. Hot Pursuit, police officer of the speed force is tracking down the perpetrator responsible that will destructively affect the time stream. Meanwhile the recently returned Flash, Barry Allen is investigating mysterious deaths of rapidly aged victims. The events of Flashpoint are put in motion, setting The Road to Flashpoint continues to build the Flash up as one of the pillars of the DC Universe.

This volume starts off begins opens with how the preceding collection ended concluded with a Rouge profile issue, this time its ultimate Flash nemesis Eobard Thawne/The Reverse Flash. The villain who played such a big part in The Flash Rebirth story and Barry’s own life. Thawne’s new back story is told here, it’s a good and interesting look into the villain's 

time in the 25th century idolizing the Flash and his legacy.

With issue #9 begins The Road to Flashpoint story arc, picking up from the tease at the end first story of the series, Vol. 1 The Dastardly Death of The Rouges. Hot Pursuit equipped with his speed force powered motorcycle is seeking out the time anomaly that may be connected to Barry’s own mysterious case. The series keeps in with its C.S.I. tone as Barry investigates his latest case and as the Flash he begins to discover a disturbance of the speed force When he meets Hot Pursuit he warns the Flash of the threat citing it "single greatest time anomaly to ever threaten reality." I felt it would be very repetitive if this new character was also from the future like the Renegades of the previous last story that involved time travelling, thankfully Hot Pursuit is from somewhere different. Patty Spivot makes her return to Central City and its crime lab, a forensic blood analyst and former assistant to Barry Allen whom she harbors feeling for.

The story also deals with Barry’s personal life being somewhat detached from his family and too heavily involved in his work. The events of the last story weigh heavily on his mind, convincing and moving scenes as Barry is preoccupied and unable to attend family get-togethers, the revelation that he feels indirectly responsible for the death of his mother. The greatest tragedy in his life is something he feels responsible for. The story has its fair share of action and is emotionally complex, the art is wonderful and Francis Manapul’s illustrations are beautiful old fashioned but modern that's featured for the majority of the issues. In a particular scene showcases his artistic talents, the colour bleeds out from the panel around Barry, signifying how alone he really is. The art is so good, it’s a new favourite and I’m highly likely to get the first few volumes of New 52 Flash.

Geoff Johns hasn’t just revived the Flash, he putting the character back as one of the main characters of the DC Universe, back to his former glory. The final issue is an exciting end to the story that leads into Flashpoint, it holds back many big developments for the Flash-centric event that leads into changes for the DC Universe that becomes the New 52 relaunch in 2011. The story concludes in a matter of the calm before the storm type of effect, it builds a level of excitement for the next big epic in the DC Universe. it's the only crossover event featuring Barry Allen as the central character. This tale is the prelude to the events that will become one of the biggest stories of the DC Universe. At this point I’ve already read and hugely enjoyed the time altering epic that is Flashpoint. The massive event that went on to include several tie-ins featuring various characters in this altered timeline

It’s a good story as the Flash is involved with another speed force connected story, setting the wheels turning for what’s to become one of the greatest Flash stories. It’s not as big as previous Flash stories by Johns but is a smaller more intricate. In terms of action, scale and story it’s a tip of the iceberg, teasing a much bigger event to come. It’s the continuation Geoff Johns revival of Barry Allen as the Flash, a short lived but great series of the Fastest Man Alive before he before he's has to face what's next. It’s a smaller story, not as big or eventful of those that had preceded it but there is enough mystery to keep the reader intrigued in preparation for the upcoming story. If you’re like me and already read the limited series, the Road to Flashpoint gives new meaning to the story and Barry’s motivations.

The Flash and Aquaman Earth One announced at Comic Con 2015

With my recent review of Batman Earth One Vol. 2 I'm sharing the news that the Earth One series continues to grow with two more of DC's greatest heroes.

At Comic-Con, Jim Lee and Dan Didio announced during their "DC Entertainment: Meet the Co-Publishers" panel that both Flash and Aquaman will be getting Earth One graphic novels in 2016.

The Flash: Earth One will be written by J. Michael Straczynski, an artist has yet to be named. Straczynski previously wrote the three Superman: Earth One graphic novels.

Aquaman: Earth One will be both written and illustrated by Francis Manapul.

Both characters are will soon be part of the big screen with Justice League movies and as well as their own solo movies and The Flash TV series being such a massive success, these characters are growing in popularity its their time to get the Earth One treatment of a modernized and realistic setting.

Other characters such in the series are still in production, Wonder Woman: Earth One by is next to released by Grant Morrison and artist Yanick Paquette and Volume 3 of Batman: Earth One by Geoff Johns and art by Gary Frank will follow sometime after. Both titles are out in 2016.

Batman Earth One Volume 2 Graphic Novel Review

The second volume of Batman Earth One returns to the grounded and more realistic world for a Batman story. It isn’t the Dark Knight we know…. and it’s all the better for it. The Earth One graphic novels takes familiar elements of the characters and makes a story feel fresh and exciting by putting a clever twist to familiar elements. The long-awaited follow up of Batman: Earth One by Writer Geoff Johns and Artist Gary Frank follows Bruce Wayne as he slowly becomes the intelligent, fearsome Dark Knight we all know and love, now tasked with bringing down the remaining players of the corrupt Mayor’s criminal organisation as well as a new enemy with a secret agenda behind his seemingly random attacks.

Earth One is a series of graphic novels that re-imagine the origins of various DC characters. The stories take place in a new continuity allowing writers and artists to build brand new beginnings for DC’s most beloved heroes. Since the launch in 2010 we’ve seen three parts of Superman’s story, the first volume of Teen Titans and Batman Earth One Vol. 1 in 2012. Batman’s new origin featured a rough around the edges Bruce Wayne, Oswald Cobblepot as the corrupt the Mayor of Gotham City, Alfred as former head of security at Wayne Manor and a fresh faced plucky Harvey Bullock. Everything that transpired in the first story has lead Gotham to become increasingly dangerous,, at the end of the first volume all Bruce wanted to do was to catch his parents killer and now realizes he has to go beyond that and his mission can not just be about him. Batman Earth One preserves many aspects of the mythology, Batman is still billionaire Bruce Wayne and he’s still assisted by Alfred Pennyworth and Jim Gordon against familiar villains, the changes that Johns and Frank bring the stories are subtle but still manage to be profound and innovative. 

The second volume picks up six months later with Gotham still coming to terms with the events and revelations of the corrupt Mayor and the emergence of the Batman. This sequel is very closely linked to the events of Volume 1, twins Jessica and Harvey Dent that were introduced in the last story are now main characters in this sequel, Mayor Dent and her D.A. brother Harvey are clearing out corruption and as the city grows with a new found feeling of optimism, but reports of a half-man, half-crocodile killer in the sewers and a new criminal responsible for attacking the city, killing Gotham’s citizen’s threaten to disrupt the city's progress from darker times. Batman has been operating in Gotham for past six months and improving at being a vigilante as he chases down petty thugs and criminals. When we first see Batman it’s in a scene that echoes of the opening of the first book, instead of failing to catch his suspect this time he is more successful but still needs some fine tuning, he’s not yet the Dark Knight legend, he makes mistakes, loses fights and loses control. Bruce hasn’t spent years travelling the world learning martial arts and other disciplines, he has only been the Batman for less than a year and only became a costumed vigilante to chase down a lead on the murder of his parents. Batman is on his way to becoming a legend, forging his partnership with Gordon whilst still remaining an urban legend to the public and media.

The original established the tone of these books and this follow up shows the role of Batman expanding, putting him through his paces with Bruce becoming a detective rather than just a vigilante. The arrival of the Riddler challenges Batman in a way he hasn’t been before, he is more of a modern day terrorist than a brilliant and obsessed criminal that isn’t playing any games, he’s serious with no gimmicks. It motivates Batman to become a hero not just to serve justice but to stop him from killing people. It’s a more threatening and dangerous interpretation of the character without the sense of honour we’ve seen in the classic Riddler, that’s suited to the grounded and more realistic world of Earth One.

One thing that stands out in these books are the clever twists of what we expect certain characters to be, the standout in the first book was Alfred, no longer the English butler but a hard edged former solider who’s a lot tougher on Bruce. The stand out this time is Killer Croc, the interpretation is a new twist on the character that’s fresh while still retaining some of his own traits. Former T.V. Detective Harvey Bullock is continuing his descent due to the horrors he witnessed in the last story and Jim Gordon is now on a better path and continues his partnership with a rookie Batman, it subverts the usual Gordon/Batman tropes that builds an unlikely bond between the two.There is more of a human element to these stories, Bruce Wayne is more central, there is more about the man than his vigilante persona. His humanity is more on display than before, the design of Batman’s cowl allows you to see his eyes, it’s a window to his emotions that can add new weight to moments in the story. It’s more of a character driven story, Batman has more humanity than we’re used to and new motivation to stop the terrorist acts of The Riddler, you can really see how it affects him.

The theme of the story is identity; Who is Batman? That question that means different things to different characters, for Bruce it’s a matter of deciding what he wants to accomplish and what he wants Batman to symbolize. He's still new to being a vigilante and inexperienced, it makes the action scenes a lot more suspenseful and gripping due to the lack of confidence that he’ll succeed, but when he does its thrilling. The story is exciting and suspenseful as we don't know what to expect from this new Batman and his villains. It's one of those books you wanna tell your friends about and its a great series for the more casual readers to get into that still has plenty of excitement and ideas to keep long time fans intrigued. It's plot and events make it another massive hit for its creators, Batman and the Earth One series. 

This new book continues all the things that made the first one so great. It’s a completely fresh start and continuity for Batman stories. If you enjoyed the first one as much as I did you won’t be disappointed to the return of Batman Earth One. Johns and Frank continue to make a brilliant story, it has a large cinematic feel to it with great action spreads and thrilling and exciting scenes. The book and this new universe is great, for long-time fans it takes the expected usual tropes and put its own clever twists on it, with a turn of a page readers are introduced to some new and inventive twists. Of the three series to debut in DC's slowly growing Earth One line so far, Batman: Earth One is easily the most successful. It presented a more grounded take on the Caped Crusader and Gotham City, as well as one with a number of clever twists to the usual formula. Volume 1 set up the tone and world in this new re-imaging of Batman, Volume 2 allows both writer and hero to explore inventive and creative adventures for the new Batman. Geoff Johns has always been one of the best writers and his Batman Earth One series are truly something special. 

The second chapter of his and Frank's alternate take on Batman revisits their more grounded realistic take on Batman, able to explore and create a different path for the Dark Knight free from a predetermined continuity making a solid and exciting Batman story full of surprises for one of comics most enduring characters. Volume 2 sets up some enticing plot threads that will get develop into future adventures that Johns has confirmed that Volume 3 will be available as soon as next year.

The Flash: The Dastardly Death of the Rouges Review

Barry Allen is back as The Flash in the first collection from the ongoing series after his eventful return in The Flash: Rebirth. The Dastardly Death of the Rouges is the first story arc of The Flash 2010 series by Writer Geoff Johns and illustrated by Francis Manapul and Scott Kolins. When one of the Rouges turn ups dead on the streets of Central City it’s not just Barry Allen The Flash that’s out to find the killer, but also The Renegades, the time travelling police force from the future that resemble the Rouges arrive to arrest The Fastest Man Alive for the murder that he’s yet to commit. The story arc is tied in into the Brightest Day event. Collects The Flash #1 – 7 and Secret Files and Origins 2010.

After the completion of both The Flash; Rebirth and Blackest Night, Geoff Johns would return to write a new Flash ongoing series in 2011. The opening arc would be launched under the Brightest Day banner, a line wide aftermath story that followed the outcome conclusion of Blackest Night. Johns had been writing The Flash for a few years with former sidekick Kid Flash/Wally West had taken over the role as The Flash after Barry’s death years ago. Barry Allen has returned and this series puts the icon and best known Flash back as the main speedster in the DC Universe.

Barry Allen is still adjusting to his day to day life in his hometown Central City as Forensic Scientist for the Central City Police Department and stopping criminals as The Flash. Barry has returned to the role of the greatest of all the speedsters. The first case since his return is the murder of Mirror Master on the streets of Central City. He might not have to look far for the suspect as arrival of The Renegades have come to arrest him for the crime. Johns tells his next story for The Flash as a mystery thriller. This story is mostly fixed within a CSI tone, much like the TV series and does so without detracting from its super hero core. It has fun and charm especially in between its bigger moments. It’s a simpler approach to the story than that of the settings of the previous tale. Rebirth required some prior knowledge of The Flash universe, this is a cleaner simpler story that makes for an enjoyable read wonderfully beautifully drawn and full of fantastic super heroics and saves. It has the right mix of fun, exhilaration and excitement. It’s a very creative story and imaginative tale, whether it’s the exciting action scenes or the creation of The Renegades, time travelling futuristic versions of the Rogues .The police force from the 25th century is the most intriguing element of the story. They are modeled after the Rogues as enemies of the Flash, as they are meant to counter the evil Reverse-Flash. The action scenes are fun and innovative, the creative team know how to have fun with the abilities of The Fastest Man Alive in various situations. They have a talent for showing Barry's powers in visually interesting and fun ways. 

The Rouges had only had a minor appearance in the story Rebirth, this follow up and new series bring them back with the best known Flash, their original adversary. They have had a contingency plan in place for The Flash's return that was revealed in the final pages of the Rebirth story. A new series would imply a fresh start and slightly self-contained story for its begging, under the banner of Brightest Day that adds an outside element into the mix, but as far as outside influences aspects go it’s a pretty simple one. Captain Boomerang/ Digger Harkness died some time ago and after the events of Blackest Night he returned to life. Brightest Day follows those that were resurrected and must fulfill task to retain their new lives. Flash #7 Is a Rouge Profile issue starring Captain Boomerang that showcases his back story as he attempts a prison break for an inmate of Iron Heights Penitentiary.

Even though Barry Allen had been brought back to life at the start of the previous story in the limited series The Flash: Rebirth.This series only ran for 12 issues before writer Geoff Johns created the Flash-centric event; Flashpoint, that altered the timeline continuity that became known as The New 52. The Flash Rebirth was a celebratory and epic story of Barry Allen’s return, it acknowledged his history, influence and legacy and featured his most psychotic and dangerous foe. The Dastardly Death of the Rouges is more of a straight forward story, simpler that features The Flash’s main villains the Rouges as the main antagonists and their futuristic counterparts. Barry Allen gets back to his normal life after the mysteries that surrounded his return. The new series that was sandwiched in between two massive events told in the limited series; The Flash Rebirth and Flashpoint. It’s a great mystery and Flash story There is a few bonus as well the Secret Files and Origins 2010 issue that was a prelude to this new series and the Flash Facts backup stories. 

The Dastardly Death of the Rouges is in the first in the short lived series before DC relaunched its titles with The New 52. Rebirth was a large event story with lots of appearances form earths heroes and other iterations of the Scarlet Speedster, a massive story that re-invented the Flash. This murder mystery is a simpler story that’s a great and that’s good for new readers and new fans. It connects as part of the Brightest Day event somewhat loosely so it’s easy to follow and enjoy without having read the connected stories events. The Flash: The Dastardly Death of the Rouges is a fun and exciting story with Barry Allen back as main Flash in a new series by Johns and some wonderful art by Manapul. Rebirth was a Flash story very much invested concerned with Barry’s past while Death of the Dastardly Rouges is a new series going forward to a new big new event Flashpoint that’ll see the change of the entire DC Universe. 

Batman Vol. 6 Graveyard Shift Review

Batman Volume 6 Graveyard Shift is the next collection from the foremost and greatest series of New 52 Batman by Writer Scott Snyder and Artist Greg Capullo. Following the last big event Zero Year, the next volume was due to be the subsequent big saga titled End Game, but instead this collection consists of stories that came in between Snyder and Capullo’s big sagas. The duo have been producing big epic long saga since the New 52 began, starting with The Court of Owls, Death of the Family and the epic Zero Year. The single issues collected are the short self-contained stories and are from different eras in Batman’s career; past present and near future. Written or plotted by Snyder with art by Capullo with a few guest artists, Alex Maleev, Andy Kubert, Dustin Nguyen and more. Collects Batman #0, #18-20, #28, #34, and Batman Annual #2.

The collection begins with Bright New Yesterday from Batman #0, it acts like a primer to the first part of the Zero Year that see’s possibly Bruce Wayne’s first interaction with the Red Hood Gang and his earliest attempts at fighting crime. When we first read the opening pages of Batman Zero Year Secret City Vol 4 Bruce is taking on the gang and their leader Red Hood One has previously met the vigilante, this could be that first meeting. Plus it further confirms in The New 52 universe that Red Hood One is the man that becomes the Joker. It has snippets of some great character moments for Bruce, Alfred and Jim Gordon. The backup story was an interesting feature showing how Batman indirectly inspired members of the Bat-family; the first three Robins and Batgirl in a superb framing device. The main story takes place just after Bruce has returned from Gotham for the first time in his crime fighting quest, it’s a first look at his pre Batman days continued from Batman #24 as collected in the fourth and fifth volumes of this graphic novel series of graphic novels.

The death of Robin/Damien Wayne occurred in the series Batman Incorporated #8 by Grant Morrison. The effects are felt in the Requiem crossover event that follows his demise, his father Batman and team mourn him, despite their continued commitment to fighting crime. Issue #18 is part of that event, Resolve is told from the perspective of Harper Row, a character created earlier in the series and makes her appearance in first of two of the stories in this book. In her first she is seeking to help Batman with whatever emotional problem he’s dealing with as he is becoming increasingly violent and careless. She’s the main character for the story and fulfils a familiar role as that of the third Robin Tim Drake after the death of the second Robin/Jason Todd in 1989’s A Death in the Family.

The best and biggest part of these stories is Nowhere Man from issues #19 and 20, an entertaining mystery action story with a classic Batman foe. When I first got Vol.4 of the series I was kind of disappointed it left out issue #19 from being collected. Its cover featured Bruce Wayne holding a gun to Jim Gordon was intriguing and is finally collected here. It’s a pretty straight-forward story, as it appears Bruce is taking hostages at gunpoint at Gotham National Bank. It’s a story more concerned with building a fun mystery for the readers to enjoy without having to play to a larger narrative. It also juggles to notion aspect of Batman’s secret identity being exposed, something not seen in Batman comics of recent and gives it an almost silver age feel to it. The story is the stand out of the collection and the two part back up story; Ghost Lights is a supernatural demon story with Superman checking up on how Batman is coping. It plays to Superman’s weaknesses to the supernatural and is a good read. Ages is an Arkham Asylum centric story as Batman gets himself incarnated in to test its security first hand. The story is told from the perspective of a new orderly who meets the first patient of the facility who’s angered by how Batman has changed the Asylum for the worst. It’s a good story and the opening splash page of Batman in handcuffs is great opening to an intriguing story. The Meek old fashioned dark detective story of Batman tracking a serial killer that’s targeting the patients of Dr. Leslie Tompkins. The timeline of this standalone tale takes place concurrently with Snyder’s other series Batman Eternal. Set six months after current continuity Batman Eternal breaks away from usual timeline as Snyder offers a sneak peek into a future Gotham and its criminal underworld. Issue #28 acts a preview of things to come in Batman Eternal.

Batman Vol. 6 is a really enjoyable book that enriches both the series and the character. Bright New Yesterday and Nowhere Man is the kind of story we’ve come to expect from the creative duo while other stories venture into new and different territory with guest artists. While the stories at the start and end are set six years in the past and a Gotham future yet to come, the core of the book’s stories take place in the present with the overarching theme of Batman dealing with the death of his son and crime fighting partner.

Since their debut on Batman, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have been almost consistently focused on telling sweeping epics; Court of Owls was almost a year long, Death of the Family was a multi-faceted Bat-family event and Zero Year is another year-long tale. Graveyard Shift takes a step back from the big stories to present smaller scale ones, these are the stories in between those big sagas that were previously missed during the earlier graphic novel releases. It’s a welcome change of pace and offers a breather before Snyder and Capullo’s next big epic; Endgame that see’s the return of the Joker for a story that’s expected to be another amazing story with some big ramifications in the upcoming next release Batman Vol. 7 Endgame.

Daredevil by Frank Miller & Klaus Janson Vol.3 Review

Daredevil by Frank Miller & Klaus Janson Vol.3 is the conclusion of one of the most influential and acclaimed comic book runs of the Man Without Fear – Daredevil. Frank Miller concludes his highly successful run of the series with Inker-Penciller Klaus Janson. Collecting the final six issues of his initial run; #185 – 191 from August 1982 to February 1983, also included are other works by Miller, an alternate version detailing what if Matt Murdock became an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. in What If? #28, the gritty urban crime western story #219 and Daredevil: Love & War, a 1986 graphic novel. Their character defining run ends here on the last of three collected trade paperbacks that covers the end of their four year run.

It’s more from the master of crime of noir featuring stunning visuals and gut-wrenching storytelling as Frank Miller ends his run. The drama, tension and action doesn’t falter or slow down towards the concluding part of Miller’s series. It’s as good as everything that preceded it. By issue #185 Miller had nearly relinquished his role as artist only providing rough layouts for Janson to both pencil and ink. Although Miller returned to the role for his exciting conclusion issue on the series. The final six issue of the initial run by Miller are great. Issue #185 -Guts is a pleasant start to the book, it’s a lighter tone and fun story depicting an investigation by Matt Murdock’s partner and best friend Foggy Nelson’s and his foray into the world of organized crime, he even comes face to face with The Kingpin. It is a change of pace for a light hearted single issue tale before the story gets back to its more familiar tone. The main story arc cumulates from the best of the previous aspects of Miller’s run. The Hand and their return to New York, Stick, Black Widow and Elektra are all a big part of this final story arc that’s a thrilling and a satisfying end to arc ending issue #190 another excellent and brilliant double length.

Issue #191 Roulette is frequently cited as one of the greatest single issues of all time and rightfully so, for this finale of Miller’s initial run has Daredevil pay a visit to a hospitalised Bullseye, bringing back the villain that had long plagued Daredevil since Miller’s run began. He lies motionless, paralyzed due to their last encounter. The over the edge hero plays the deadly game with his deadliest enemy as he reveals the reason that brought him here as well as his own back story. Daredevil reevaluates what it means to be a hero. The art is dramatic with depth as Miller pencils his final issue with guest Inker Terry Austin providing excellent work with dark tones to match the story. An element that’s very effective was the use of the same panel several times and in the climax, becomes larger, zooming in closer on a helpless and still Bullseye. It was great bringing back the villain for his final issue even if it a reduced state. A fantastic issue that you instantly want to re-read again that marks the end of Millier’s initial run on the series, serving as the conclusion on a highly successful run. It summarizes many of the moral themes and character statements the writer focused on, reflecting on the nature of morality, law and ongoing conflict between good and evil in society that became one of Marvel’s single greatest comics ever published. It could also be considered as one of the earliest high points of Miller’s career, predating The Dark Knight Returns and Batman Year One by less than three years. The story is the single greatest highlight of this collection, its brilliant. Unfortunately it can only undermine the impact of the two single issue stories that follow.

What If… was a series that explored alternate paths of various Marvel heroes and issue #28 featured what if Matt Murdock became an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Miller penciled and co-wrote the story shortly after he became a Writer on the Daredevil series. It’s a nice bonus tale that’s something you’d expect to find in a collection such as this. Being a Daredevil fan you know the origin story so well and this is an alteration of the familiar event. Issue #219 marks a single issue return by Miller on the series, Badlands is an urban crime story that’s like a modern western. Matt leaves his Daredevil persona at home as he’s traveled to a little crime ridden town and doesn’t utter a single word in this gritty crime tale. It’s very good, giving you something that’s different from what we’ve come to expect from both Miller and Daredevil, it’s an interesting story.

Love and War is the final piece of the collection. Originally printed as a graphic novel in 1986 features Wilson Fisk/The Kingpin trying to help his wife Vanessa recover from her catatonic state from events of the Gang War story line that was featured in Vol.1 of this series. A story very much told in the presence of the crime lord, he arranges the kidnapping of the wife of Psychiatrist Dr. Mondat as a method of persuasion to help Vanessa’s recovery. The kidnapping of the doctor’s wife is carried out by Victor, a psychologically disturbed man who carries the real horror of the story. Daredevil plays a supporting role as he attempts to rescue both the Doctor and his wife from the actions of Fisk, it shows his savage nature to help his wife, the one he thing he truly holds dear. It’s an excellent story that builds upon Miller’s initial Daredevil run further expanding upon the antagonistic relationship between the two, explaining the reason behind the change in Kingpin’s attitude toward Daredevil that indirectly bridges Miller's first run with his jseminal Daredevil story Born Again. A great story focusing on the motivations of both The Kingpin and Dr. Mondat showing the depths what both men go to for their wife’s. It’s very much a violent story down to the actions of the psychopath Victor. Originally printed in a single Graphic Novel that’s no longer in print is a nice bonus and great way to end the collection of Daredevil by Frank Miller books, a somewhat unheard of book and story. The art of the story is distinctively painted by Bill Sienkiewicz, his skillful art doesn’t make it appear as dated as others in the collection. Everything that followed in Millers primary run in this collection features Millers doing something different and not trying to re-create the same kind of style of stories he had previously done, An alternate history, a modern western tale and a story more focused on sympathizing with the villain, positioning Daredevil in the background of the story offering a change of pace of the 35 issues over the three trade paperbacks.

Miller brought some of the greatest and interesting aspects back for this final arc including The Hand, Stick and Elektra and the welcome re-appearance of Black Widow. The final story arc raises the drama, action and tension for an exciting story that has a grand finale feel to it. The inclusion of Miller’s other work, What If…#28, issue #219 and Love and War is a great bonus from a writer that you are interested of reading more from. When Miller first came on board Marvel's ailing Daredevil series, his role was largely visual, but seeing how well fans were responding to Miller's darker style, he eventually took full control of the series, Daredevil gained a new level of recognition and respectability. Miller’s take redefined the character for a generation and has lived on to be a classic decades later.

But Miller wasn't done with the character he later returned for several issues of what is considered the definitive and greatest Daredevil story; Born Again. Miller’s return to the series was heighted due to how successful and influential everything he had done previously. Miller again later returned to the character for his 1993 limited series The Man Without Fear, redefining the origin story that included many elements that originated from this original run of the series.

Frank Miller ended his brilliant four year run on Daredevil as both a Penciler and Writer with one of the most amazing comics ever published, with issue #191 which saw Daredevil be so open about his doubts and give an interesting point of view with respect to violence. Miller’s final issue that he cited in a 1983 interview as the issue he’s most proud of before passing the torch to another comic’s legend Denny O’ Neil. Miller's stories, tone and artistry herald one of Daredevil's greatest eras and is concluded in the last of three trade paperbacks. If you’re a Frank Miller Daredevil fan who’s previously read the best known books; The Man Without Fear and Born Again, go back a check out this amazing and influential run of his first take on the character that’s arguably one of best takes of Daredevil and some of the greatest comics you’ll ever read, essential reading for any Frank Miller or Daredevil fan.