The Huntress #6: Wrapping It All Up (Spoilers)

[WorstThingUS]

Wow. This totally fell apart in the end. The series started off strong, bogged down a bit with little too much "Godfather" picked up speed again, then lost control and wiped out in the middle of the road as if it hit a patch of black ice.

The bad Batman characterization continues here show it wasn't just a fluke. The whole "Bruce Wayne vs Batman" schtick is tired to be begin with and in Ivory's clumsy hands it doesn't improve (it was never used better than in Batman Beyond).

She also ruins Sal by having him only stay in the family business of assassination because he wanted to protect Helena and now he's consumed with guilt over her being The Huntress now. What made Sal work was that on one had he was this ruthless assassin, but at the same time a loving cousin and ultimately seeking redemption for love. That he could be so horrible on one hand and so tender on the other made him interesting. This does not (and there's still no self-awareness on Helena's part about the orphans he created though his actions).

Catwoman continues to show for no reason whatsoever other than as an homage to the original Earth-2 Huntress. Sigh. I love Helena Bertinelli too, but she's in the JSA Annual this month. We can get our fix there. Enough with the homages.

And the climactic scene just gets more absurd with each panel. First, there's the silly Catwoman appearance. Then The Huntress cuts out Omerta's tongue while Batman does nothing. Then she knocks Batgirl of a motorcycle with one arm, steals it, hops on it with her brother and rides to a church. Batman and Catwoman follow her, but Batgirl doesn't. Why? Well, because only "mom and dad" are needed for the scene where they engage in the most shallow characterizations of themselves while she baptizes herself as The Huntress. Yeah, lets ride that homage train until the wheels fall off.

Sigh. I'm not going to need this as a trade, that's for sure. In fact, I may need to read Rucka's "Cry For Blood" one more time to wash this incredible taste of disappointment out of my mouth.

[juggling man]

I pretty much disagree with everything you just posted.

[WorstThingUS]

I pretty much disagree with everything you just posted.

Stop with the details! Everyone doesn't need to know what you liked about every page.

Seriously, what could anyone possibly see in this? It was awful. I 'm so disappointed. I was expecting Ivory to pull it out in the end and instead she wipes out.

[pariah-1972]

I really liked this issue actually it brought back the cinematic flair and lost the cross-hatching.
I do agree that cat-woman in this issue was completely unneccesary especially if you didn't know the original Huntress's origin it could seem either very confusing or pointless.

You cant bring her in and give her nothing to do besides being a homage to Helena Wayne.

But i would have liked to seen Cat-woman actually help he out like she said she was going to last issue it would have at least given her something to do.

the whole thing with Sal was quite confusing.. why is it ok for him to be a mob assassin but not anyone else? if you are going to be a vigilante against the mob you can't play favorites or look the other way just cause this guy helped raise you or taught you to fight.

That would at least cause a lot of conflict on her part but she doesn't seem conflicted about him at all.

And i would also like to see him be a bit older than her for some reason otherwise it just seems a little creepy.


Also i do agree that cutting off Omerta's tongue and Batman saying nothing seems out of character for him.

And then hitting Bat-girl and taking off with her bike?
well it looked cool i guess.



I really thought the whole series was great besides my nitpicking here and there.


I would love to see this adapted into a movie of course taking out Cat-woman and maybe Batman.

[AlistairCrane]

Even if you don't know the E-2 Huntress' origin, it makes sense to have Catwoman there because she would be interested in another female vigilante in Gotham. At that time, only Batgirl roamed the streets, so of course Selina would be interested in seeing a non-Bat female in town.

I quite liked this issue, with the climax in the old Bertinelli home and the denouement in the church.

[Alexx1]

I quite liked this issue, with the climax in the old Bertinelli home and the denouement in the church.

I too liked that the majority of the action and story unfolded in the one place that caused Helena so much pain, the home where she grew up and lost everything. It was very fitting and very thoughtful on Ivory Madison's part.

I would have liked to have seen some closure to Helena and Tony. Tony looks like he's aged 10 years. No? Being so close to Huntress and speaking to her I can't believe he didn't realize she was Helena.

I know I read in an interview Madison said she had a story idea for Huntress that fits within contunity. I am curious. All and all it was a pretty decent YO story from a first time comic writer who shows a temendous amount of potential. It's not without it's faults. What story isn't. I do hope to continue seeing Madison write comics.

[juggling man]

Stop with the details! Everyone doesn't need to know what you liked about every page.

And everyone loves an impatient sarcastic brat. Keep your pants on mister.

[Mia]

I love Helena Bertinelli too, but she's in the JSA Annual this month. We can get our fix there. Enough with the homages.




I take it you mean Helena Wayne.

As a whole I thought the series was okay. I liked the characterization of Huntress and it certainly made up to the embarrassing caricature that has taken place over the past 5 or so years. Though I did find Huntress’s anger over the top and annoying at times. The anger that the pre-BOP displayed was due to a hatred for injustice. The one in this book carried on as if she had an axe to grind (I don’t wear dresses!)

Where Madison tripped up was in a) trying to cram her knowledge of Mafia films into the book and b) trying to do a homage to the earth 2 Batman and Catwoman. It was jus too hamfisted.

I took a look at the sales figures for June and they are around 15K, so I guess we won’t be getting a regular series with those kinds of sales figures.

[pariah-1972]

Even if you don't know the E-2 Huntress' origin, it makes sense to have Catwoman there because she would be interested in another female vigilante in Gotham. At that time, only Batgirl roamed the streets, so of course Selina would be interested in seeing a non-Bat female in town.

I quite liked this issue, with the climax in the old Bertinelli home and the denouement in the church.Yes of course it would make sense but she didn't do any of the things she said she was going to do to help Helena out and she had absolutely nothing to do in this issue so it was a waste.

[AlistairCrane]

Yes of course it would make sense but she didn't do any of the things she said she was going to do to help Helena out and she had absolutely nothing to do in this issue so it was a waste.

Well, the more Catwoman appearances, the better, now that she's lost her own title.

[juggling man]

Where Madison tripped up was in a) trying to cram her knowledge of Mafia films into the book and b) trying to do a homage to the earth 2 Batman and Catwoman. It was jus too hamfisted.


Each of your reviews I have read uses the word hamfisted.

Here are a few comments I have about the criticisms. I'm working on a review. You can chew on these thoughts until then.

Sal told Batman that she wouldn't kill Omerta. Batman is an incredibly intelligent person. It's not a stretch to think he knows Sal knows Helena better than anyone and that he was correct she would not kill. And nothing sets off Batman more than kiling. That little comment was enough to reassure him. What they both didn't see coming was the cutting off of Omerta's tongue. He didn't have to get in her face because she clotheslined Batgirl off the bike and took off. Which, I'd say was a wise move considering she just cut off a man's tongue in front of two vigilantes and some mobsters. Batman does go after her (to the church) but then sees a very dramatic baptism. Being an extreme person whi has lived through a similar experience, I'm sure he understood what that was all about better than anyone. That to me is the reason why Batman held back. It was all there but subtle. The book's not about Batman after all is it. Everyone but Huntress sits in the backseat in A Huntress: Year One story.

The reason for Catwoman being there is laid out in issue #5. The criticism about Batgirl's misrepresentation seems to stem from continuity issues. Many are sayingt that Batgirl was not a beginner a the time Huntress: Year One occurs. It could be a simple mis-calculation. As far as continuity goes my motto is: "you make your own continuity". You have to consolidate thing in your own the way you see fit.

Also I thought Omerta losing his tongue was great use of symbolism (Omerta can mean "code of silence"). Madison has done a good job of weaving Catholicism and it's love of symbolism into the story.

my 2 cents.

[WorstThingUS]

Here are a few comments I have about the criticisms. I'm working on a review. You can chew on these thoughts until then.

Sal told Batman that she wouldn't kill Omerta. Batman is an incredibly intelligent person. It's not a stretch to think he knows Sal knows Helena better than anyone and that he was correct she would not kill. And nothing sets off Batman more than kiling. That little comment was enough to reassure him. What they both didn't see coming was the cutting off of Omerta's tongue. He didn't have to get in her face because she clotheslined Batgirl off the bike and took off. Which, I'd say was a wise move considering she just cut off a man's tongue in front of two vigilantes and some mobsters. Batman does go after her (to the church) but then sees a very dramatic baptism. Being an extreme person whi has lived through a similar experience, I'm sure he understood what that was all about better than anyone. That to me is the reason why Batman held back. It was all there but subtle. The book's not about Batman after all is it. Everyone but Huntress sits in the backseat in A Huntress: Year One story.

The reason for Catwoman being there is laid out in issue #5. The criticism about Batgirl's misrepresentation seems to stem from continuity issues. Many are sayingt that Batgirl was not a beginner a the time Huntress: Year One occurs. It could be a simple mis-calculation. As far as continuity goes my motto is: "you make your own continuity". You have to consolidate thing in your own the way you see fit.

Also I thought Omerta losing his tongue was great use of symbolism (Omerta can mean "code of silence"). Madison has done a good job of weaving Catholicism and it's love of symbolism into the story.


Batman doesn't know Sal from Adam and has no reason to trust either him or The Huntress. And if he did know who Sal was, he'd know he was an assassin and he sure as hell wouldn't have let Sal pick up the gun. It would have made more sense if the confrontation with Omerta happened after Batman left to go after Tony and The Pope or check the tunnel for more bombs and he later tracked The Huntress down to the the church, because the whole "let's everybody all just go to church" scene is as contrived as it is illogical (not to mention just plain stupid). There's more power in her self-baptism if it's just a private moment between her and Sal and Batman just watches silently from the rafters (there's your daddy imagery), sparing us Ivory's painfully simplistic portrayal of him. And where's Batgirl? Did she just decide to take her toys and go home after being humiliated by The Huntress a second time? There's actually a reason for her to be there, but absolutely none for Catwoman other than "Original Huntress homage." Bad, bad, bad writing.

"You make our own continuity" is the motto of the lazy writer and the reader who apparently has more cash than I not to demand more for their money. And it's not really necessary in this case. Is it so hard to just accept that The Huntress is meaner and tougher than Batgirl and that's why she wins?

[juggling man]

It's pretty obvious Batman knows Sal and Helena are close. He knew she was a Bertinelli and he has intimate ties with the Angelos via Nino. It's implied that Batman knows quite a bit about Helena and her family tree at this point. The "make your own continuity" motto was meant for me and not the writer. "Continuity is a good servant but a horrible master".

[Robo Ape]

I thought it ended pretty well;, it tied up all the loose ends that it needed to & left the groundwork with the other plot lines that it needed too.

All in all a satisfactory end to what has been a very strong little series.

[Alexx1]

I thought it ended pretty well;, it tied up all the loose ends that it needed to & left the groundwork with the other plot lines that it needed too.



It will be interesting to see if any other writer runs with the ground work Ivory left like Huntress inheritance, The Hand, OMERTA, Sal, Tony Angelo. It would be nice to see Tony Bedard write a Huntress centric story in BoP involving some of these things. Quite a few have an axe to grind with Huntress and it would be interesting to see that cross over into her professional/personal relationship with the Birds.

[juggling man]

Blair Butler's comments -> http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/687798/Fresh_Ink_Online_Catwoman_The_Huntress_and_More.ht ml

[pariah-1972]

She rocks i like her reviews she seems like someone cool to hang with.

[Alex Smith]

I pretty much disagree with everything you just posted.

That's where I"m at too. I loved the book. I didn't have any problem with what they turned Sal into, I thought it was a nice touch. It certainly doesn't make his character anymore shallow.

The Batman vs. Bruce Wayne is a bit tired, but it's certainly to be expected. Theres no way you could have gone in not knowing it was going to come up, and it went fairly well.

I didn't dig how she exclaimed "I am The Huntress" at the end, but even that was decent enough.

I especially loved when she was like "I'll tolerate you, Batman, but I"m not taking orders from anyone." Tolerate Batman, just tolerate him? That made the book for me entirely right there. Anytime someone puts him in his place I'm totally sold.

[juggling man]

My review. Ta Da! (http://www.ifanboy.com/reviews/JumpingJupiter/dc_comics/huntress_year_one/6_(of_6))

[Alexx1]

My review. Ta Da! (http://www.ifanboy.com/reviews/JumpingJupiter/dc_comics/huntress_year_one/6_(of_6))

Nice Summary/Review!

[miss_terry]

My review. Ta Da! (http://www.ifanboy.com/reviews/JumpingJupiter/dc_comics/huntress_year_one/6_(of_6))

Great review. I liked this Huntress series. I would give the whole mini series a 3 stars out of 5. It's pretty okay.

[jgiannantoni05]

I wasn't too impressed with this entire arc. Poor characterization.

I have to say that these recent Year One stories are poor. Ra's and Scarecrow Year One were not good.

Two-Face Year One may be the only one that is good. But even Sable is making some minor rookie mistakes.
________
Vermont dispensaries (http://vermont.dispensaries.org/)

[WorstThingUS]

My review. Ta Da! (http://www.ifanboy.com/reviews/JumpingJupiter/dc_comics/huntress_year_one/6_(of_6))

Nice of you to try and explain why Catwoman shows up at the end given Ivory Madison didn't bother to (though it still doesn't make a lot of sense). Will she be sending you a check for doing her job? And as long as you're doing so, why wasn't Batgirl there at the end? And should I then send you my $2.99?

[pariah-1972]

Nice of you to try and explain why Catwoman shows up at the end given Ivory Madison didn't bother to (though it still doesn't make a lot of sense). Will she be sending you a check for doing her job? And as long as you're doing so, why wasn't Batgirl there at the end? And should I then send you my $2.99?How was Bat-girl supposed to get there when she just lost her bike?

[FemGeek]

My review. Ta Da! (http://www.ifanboy.com/reviews/JumpingJupiter/dc_comics/huntress_year_one/6_(of_6))

Really great review, very in depth. I've probly read about everything there is with the Huntress and this is some of the best. I liked the inclusion of all her old family members, and the appearance of Batman and his ilk. I had no problem with Catwoman just following her, since she already told Huntress that she found her interesting and what Catwoman finds interesting she'll inspect or steal. I loved the art and the narration. This mini goes real well with Cry for Blood aswell. 5 stars.

[carabas]

How was Bat-girl supposed to get there when she just lost her bike?Same way Catwoman, did (which I think would be teleportation, given that she managed to keep up with the batmobile and Huntress' bike on foot).

[juggling man]

Same way Catwoman, did (which I think would be teleportation, given that she managed to keep up with the batmobile and Huntress' bike on foot).

That's splitting hairs really. Anyway, Batman is shown to be traveling by way of swing-line not car.

[WorstThingUS]

How was Bat-girl supposed to get there when she just lost her bike?

Um, same way Batman and Catwoman got there? The Batmobile seats two and she knows how to swing across the city. It's a hole in the story as a result of the horribly contrived nature of the scene. If Ivory weren't so hellbent on making Batman and Catwoman her surrogate parents, it wouldn't exist.

The irony here is, I'm the one always pushing for Batman connection and I find it overbearing and stupid while all the Helena Bertinelli fans who tire of the original Huntress comparisons and want her to be a more independent character over her are giving it a pass. Catwoman has never played a part in the origin of the E1 Huntress and she doesn't really add anything to her now.

And on an unrelated note, this retcons Batman's discovery of Helen's identity as The Huntress. It only matters because this was part of her bond of trust with Tim Drake, because he found out and never told Batman. But I suppose nothing changes if Batman always knew but never told Tim he knew.

[Alexx1]

But I suppose nothing changes if Batman always knew but never told Tim he knew.

Yeah I guess that's how we'll have to look at that. Which I don't think is that big of a deal in terms of devaluing Helena and Tim's relationship. I always really digged Tim and Helena's relationship.

OT: In BoP didn't Black Canary confide to Huntress that Barbara was Batgirl? I seem to recall that's when Huntress first found out Babs was Batgirl. I can't remember reading anywhere else Huntress knew.

[pariah-1972]

Yeah I guess that's how we'll have to look at that. Which I don't think is that big of a deal in terms of devaluing Helena and Tim's relationship. I always really digged Tim and Helena's relationship.

OT: In BoP didn't Black Canary confide to Huntress that Barbara was Batgirl? I seem to recall that's when Huntress first found out Babs was Batgirl. I can't remember reading anywhere else Huntress knew.I honestly try not too look at this as being in strict continuity otherwise its too confusing to make things fit.

[Alexx1]

I honestly try not too look at this as being in strict continuity otherwise its too confusing to make things fit.

I didn't ask for continuity sake. I just wanted to know if my memory served me right and if BoP is when/where Huntress FIRST found out Babs was Batgirl. I don't think the storyline with regards to Huntress and Batgirl in Huntress Year One are in anyway conflicting with Huntress founding out in BoP that Babs was Batgirl and therefore the chick she encountered when she returned to Gotham. If anything the actions in HYO only serve to add to their years of animosity and heightened Bab's towards Huntress especially.

[juggling man]

iFanboy briefly mentions Huntress: Year One in their podcast. -> http://www.ifanboy.com/content/audio/08_03_2008_-__Episode_144__Wolverine__67
at about halfway.

[nepenthes]

The 1994 minseries looks interesting. I like Michael Netzer

Does anyone know if this was ever collected? I can't seem to find it online anywhere, should I keep looking

[MichaelNetzer]

The 1994 minseries looks interesting. I like Michael Netzer

Does anyone know if this was ever collected? I can't seem to find it online anywhere, should I keep looking

Has not yet been collected.

But is listed @ seller "LostWonder". eBay store.

Entire set: $4.99 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Huntress-1994-1-2-3-4-Chuck-Dixon-Michael-Netzer_W0QQitemZ370100311201QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0)

Gratitude for the nice word. Hope you enjoy.

[Mia]

I thought I saw it solicited for December. I guess it's January. But I know that I did see the TPB offered in Previews. I am sure it will be out soon.

[JumpingJupiter]

Continuity is mostly a burden anyway.

[princesa]

Hell I didn't even know there was a Huntress mini.

[MichaelNetzer]

I thought I saw it solicited for December. I guess it's January. But I know that I did see the TPB offered in Previews. I am sure it will be out soon.

It would be nice to see it. Can't find any mention of it at DC or elsewhere on the web.

[Mia]

The release date I found on the internet, is January 28th, 2009.

[JumpingJupiter]

Yup, it's coming out next month.