Batman: Streets of Gotham

Call me crazy, but I'm a fan of Huntress. Yes, possibly the only one. But, I dig her. I liked how she was used here against Man-bat. Drives home the differences that have existed between her and Batman for years now. The only thing that irked me is how she kept saying that no one had faith in her, or trusted her, etc.. even Oracle. What now? Oracle has been one of her biggest supporters (not to mention TEAMMATE) for years. When did this fallout happen where Babs no longer trusts her? Sure, I might have missed it, but then again, arent the Kyle/Yost team known to take liberties to suit their needs? Other than that, I really enjoyed the issue.

I highly enjoyed this issue. I too am a fan of Huntress. I really want her to get her own series. I think this issue was my favorite of the series so far. If and when Dini leaves this book I wouldn't mind Yost taking over.

Despite not being much of a Man-Bat fan I liked him here.


Why have Kyle/Yost taken liberties to suit their needs?

Batman25JM wrote:Why have Kyle/Yost taken liberties to suit their needs?

Creating a problem between Babs and Helena when none existed. I mean, if it makes sense then go for it. But like I said, they've been teammates for years and Oracle has always been in her corner when Batman comes down on her. So for her to say Babs had no faith in her didnt make alot of sense.

LordD3r3k wrote:

Batman25JM wrote:Why have Kyle/Yost taken liberties to suit their needs?

Creating a problem between Babs and Helena when none existed. I mean, if it makes sense then go for it. But like I said, they've been teammates for years and Oracle has always been in her corner when Batman comes down on her. So for her to say Babs had no faith in her didnt make alot of sense.

Sorry, that should have read "when have...". Anyway, I agree that it seemed odd for Helena to say Babs didn't have faith in her. While I haven't read all of the BoP stuff yet I do know that their relationship developed and Babs did have faith in her.

Back to Kyle and Yost. When in the past have the bent things to make them work for their own stories?

Batman25JM wrote:Back to Kyle and Yost. When in the past have the bent things to make them work for their own stories?

In their run on X-force, I believe. I can't quote specific examples, but I'm almost positive I recall such comments on WUMB. If not, I retract that comment.

LordD3r3k wrote:

Batman25JM wrote:Back to Kyle and Yost. When in the past have the bent things to make them work for their own stories?

In their run on X-force, I believe. I can't quote specific examples, but I'm almost positive I recall such comments on WUMB. If not, I retract that comment.

I can't think of any instances, but I am by no means a X-Men expert.

I'm loving the Father Mark aspect. His history in Gotham...he is Gotham, you know? Just cool to see where it goes. Is he hearing a voice in his head or is someone messing with him?

You guys were talking Huntress, and I love Bertinelli. Much more than the original, Wayne. Helena is a delicate character. I like that she's this shameless heroine, but I don't like when writers portray her as whorish, like what Robinson did at the beginning of Cry for Justice. About her, Lady Blackhawk, and Hal Jordan. I mean, sheez.

Also, can't wait to see more of Two-Face, and the inevitable clash with Kate. Dylan's character is intriguing. Loving how both stories really, now, are starting to show what Streets of Gotham can be. It isn't a Batman book. It really is a Gotham book. It's about the city. And that is very, very cool.

BlueMaxx wrote:I'm loving the Father Mark aspect. His history in Gotham...he is Gotham, you know? Just cool to see where it goes. Is he hearing a voice in his head or is someone messing with him?

I think someone is messing with him.

It isn't a Batman book. It really is a Gotham book. It's about the city. And that is very, very cool.

Indeed, great point.

Batman: Streets of Gotham #5

This series doesn't seem to be getting the love of the other post-Wayne series at the moment, even less love than GCS, surprisingly. And Dini wasn't on the top left sid of the cover so I avoided this like the plague. But thankfully to you fine young fellows at this forum (and from WUMB), I decided to give this one a spin.

Yes, 2 weeks later I'm buying the book but I'm glad I did. It was a simple story, but as said earlier, this is a Gotham tale. I'm not highly familiar with the BOP ladies since I just picked up the majority of Simone's run a couple weeks ago at a Con. Thus, despite the overwriting of Huntress in this issue, it was cool to see where she's coming from. The only Huntress I've read is the one that has appeared in the Nightwing/Robin books only to cause trouble. I've never read her as a heroine, so that was cool to see how that all played out.

The backup story was excellent. Actually better than the main story. I really need to pick up those first 2 trades of Manhunter, as she appears the perfect woman int hese backups. Yum yum yum. And no, I don't need a date, haha.

3.5/5 Bags&Boards - Worth Buying

^ Very glad you jumped on. Good books deserve support. I was surprised to see Huntress in the book, but now, if thye're a Gothamite, I wouldn't be surprised to see Hitman, The Creeper, Simon Dark, or Axe-Man even. Not to mention all the villains. I imagine that the title is going to be digging into the past characters more and more.

#5 was decent. To me, the second half of the main story was better than the first part. I'll be glad when Dini's back, though.

Manhunter rocked as always. Damn, Dylan got fucked up but good. I'm sure he'll Forge himself a replacement soon, though.

Of all the current Bat books, this has been the most enjoyable to me. The main Batman book has wavered in quality, and Batman and Robin is interesting but a little too Morrison-y for me, but SoG has been a winner for the most part, and the Manhunter stories have been icing on the cake.

Liked the ending with the priest's realization in #6...well, he knew before they did. "You have to fight for it." Good ending.

This book got absolutely no press last week. I didn't review it either, although I thought it was pretty good. Maybe I was just underwhelmed by the ending, but I'm not sure. It's probably just that there are too many books out right now.

So is Dini back on this next issue? I'm not really a Huntress fan... I like Yost but wasn't really into issue 6 and still haven't read 7 :-\

nobody's read #7 lol

Decent main story in #7. I'm seeing similarities now between Abuse and the Marvel character Rage; not a knock, just an observation. I like Dini using Humphry as a more sympathetic character, like he was when he first appeared in Arkham Asylum: Living Hell. I never liked the idea of him participating in the Secret Society during Infinite Crisis.

The kid-fight ring is kinda weird, though.

As usual, Manhunter rocked.

I found the first 5 issues of this in the 50 cent bin at my LCS. After reading them I didn't think they belonged there especially since it's Dick as Batman.

Batman: SOG #7

Strange issue. Manhunter's on the cover, and it "features" Batman & Robin, yet Ms. Kate Spencer is still relegated to backup status. If you know anything about Manhunter and Andreyko's very solid run on the character, seeing this happen is a sure disappointment. Especially since this has been the best of the backup bunch. While we already have a Batman & Robin book, I'll give Dini credit in his return from Yost's Huntress-centered 2-shot for this oddly-fun x-mas story. Perfect timing, of course, but not without it's question marks.

The cartoony art fits the bill with it's winter wonderland theme. But there's an extraordinary sequence that's just painful. It's the fight between this Abuse fellow and Egghead. It's horrendous. Really sloppy, doesn't look as if these charaacters are actually hitting each other. Poor. I'm not so sure about the ending either.

For a book with so many inconsistincies, it's pretty memorable and maybe that's merely because Dick & Damien confront Santa.

3/5 - Wish there was more Manhunter.

^ Inconsistencies? I haven't noticed any. Seems to keep you right on track with each issue.

I really hope Two-Face starts playing a larger hand in Gotham and breaking up the Black Mask stuff. Although, I'm digging Black Mask's organization of villains. The child fight stuff was nutso. Leave it to Zsasz. Some in the audience looked familiar. Like old characters that are regulars in the gangster scene. But ya, Humpty Dumpty, wow.

Abuse...I'm wondering if that kid...I mean, the coat and hat was right...hrm.

Like Two-Face said, but pertaining to both stories in this ish, "Now things are gettin' gooooood."

What's up with Dini missing so many issues? Weird. Anyway, interesting issue. I like the way Mike Benson writes Dick.

Manhunter was awesome, natch.

Dini's work since hooking up with DC has been so under appreciated, IMO. I'm always afraid one month he'll just be done.

Batman: SOG #8

It seems like I enjoyed this issue more than most. Mike Benson, for those unaware, is one of the authors of Moon Knight, and has contributed to some pretty good Deadpool mini's and one-shots. He's a master at crime-noir and it shows in his portrayal of the Dark Detective. I'm sure a lot of readers are going to cry out for the missing Dini, who seems to be taking a lot of time off between arcs. Thankfully, while immensely abrupt, this first of two parts reads better than Yost's earlier contribution. Dick Grayson might come off a lot more Bruce with his more stern attitude than usual, especially during his conversation--a highlight for me--with Commisioner Gordon. "Meat sculpture." Love it. Thing is, if you've been reading the regular Batman series as of late, then you know just how angry Dick's been.

I'm sure the fact he's showing a serious side in both books is highly inconsequential, but still.

As for the art and the backup...Nguyen's cryptic, shadowy panels are just what the series needs. No, there's not a lot of detail; there isn't a lot of emotion in the grizzled faces of the characters. But that helps the mystery of it all. The less shown, the more we're wondering. This is the beginning of a could-be wonderful detective story. The backup is just the best backup going. Kate Spencer definitely deserves her own series, but we probably know that won't happen. At least not anytime soon. It's a little tough to put all the pieces together when you're only reading 8 pages a month, but seeing both sides of Two-Face in court was well worth it. Without the backup, I'm actually not sure I'd be pulling this series.

Glad to see a Dini-less issue get the job done. Let's hope it closes out memorably.

3.5/5 Bags&Boards - Surprisingly good, despite ending abruptlyand missing Dini. Another solid Manhunter backup as usual.

I skipped issue #8 for right now. I haven't been much of a fan of this book from the beginning (though I did enjoy Yost's two Huntress issues) and since this was one of two filler issues I decided to skip it for the time being. There was also the fact that it was written by Mike Benson and I HATED his run on Moon Knight.

I think I may drop this book all together, but I don't know.

#8 was pretty good.

Does anybody think Dini is missing so many issues because he's writing a script for another Batman project.. like the sequel to AA game?