BFTC: Man-Bat Discussion

[Retro315]

Kind of a light week for me with DC this week, but I did nab Man-Bat because I always liked the really, REALLY throwback mad scientist characters in Gotham and Man-Bat and Phosphorus are some of the cooler "freak" ones.

The issue was pretty good. Kirk's addiction to the Man-Bat serum is addressed, but the progression of the character - the fact that he's exposed himself to it on and off over the years and that he can now get himself angry enough or whatever to "Incredible Hulk" (IE: non-lunar werewolf) transform himself is a logical transition for Langstrom's character.

His inability to control his addiction will transition nicely into his struggle to control his now natural transformations. Doctor Phosphorus got away, (dug the radiation protection gloves and the "Invisible Man" bandages look! Great influence for Phosphorus).

And then the other thing I was curious about was the relation to BFTC itself - here we have the Outsiders coming in to help straighten Gotham out, so I'm guessing it takes place RIGHT after Outsiders # 1, when they all showed up in the Bat-Cave to join Alfred's cause. As to the fact that Francine Langstrom is supposed to be the researcher for the Outsiders, I was surprised that there was no actual mention of that or hint of it. It was purely coincidental that Francine was in distress this issue and her soon-to-be team, the Outsiders were on hand in Gotham.

Other than that ... could the new Lynx be Shiva helping out? She did just show up in Robin ... has reason to team with Batgirl (and even some slim connection to Batwoman (Shiva > Vic Sage > Montoya > Batwoman) and Shiva's generally well informed.

Nice issue. Not exactly a Bat-fix, but pretty enjoyable (and better than the Gordon one-shot).

[Damademan3]

It was a dec read for me even not knowing the Man bat character. The story at the end kind of thru me when he just walked away. Seeing as he looked hard for his wife, found her and then walked away. But im probably reading way to far into the story. Overall i liked how he could transform into the Man Bat without the serum. I was debating buying the issue but i was satisfied.

[F1uke]

The story at the end kind of thru me when he just walked away. Seeing as he looked hard for his wife, found her and then walked away.

I'm pretty sure he ran away, because The Outsiders were there. Also, he knew she was safe around them.

I thought this tie-in was good. It was definitely better than the others that tie into BFTC I thought.

I definitely like how Langstrom can transform without the serum now.

PS- Where the hell did Alfred appear from? Why would he be out by the docks?

[CYOTI]

Thanks for the recs, I'll be sure to grab it tomorrow

[Karl O'Neill]

Still don;t know if i want this one shot.

was it any good?

[F1uke]

Still don;t know if i want this one shot.

was it any good?

I thought it was decent, I don't know if I'd tell you to run out and go get it right away though.

IGN had a much harsher review: http://comics.ign.com/articles/968/968832p1.html

[Karl O'Neill]

I thought it was decent, I don't know if I'd tell you to run out and go get it right away though.

IGN had a much harsher review: http://comics.ign.com/articles/968/968832p1.html

not crazy about the art myself.

[Seraku]

art was really the only thing I liked about this one-shot

[CYOTI]

I thought it was definitely worth the money and its frankly a decent exploration of Langstrom hopefully with more follow up in the future.

[Captain Jim]

This was the only tie-in I wasn't going to pick up, but I weakened in the end. I don't necessarily regret picking it up, but I thought the story was only so-so, at best. In contrast to many of the rest of you, I thought it was defnitely the weakest BOTC issue to date. The IGN review uses much harsher language than I would in describing the book, but I think its criticisms are valid. (C)

[F1uke]

In contrast to many of the rest of you, I thought it was defnitely the weakest BOTC issue to date. (C)

When I said it was a better tie-in, I didn't mean that it actually was a better issue, it just had more than the character it featured in it - ie. The Outsiders.

[Blotto99]

Here's our review:

Serves me right. I thought this was going to suck and it did. Now, I am three dollars poorer. Being pleasantly surprised with The Battle for the Cowl mini-series, I thought I’d give this one-shot a shot. It’s brought me nothing but tears.

Dr. Kirk Langstrom, the Man-Bat, is sulking that he’s not respected as a superhero. So he throws his pointy ears in the ring and tries to help out Gotham. This book is a cheap attempt to milk a story that could have been told in four panels of another Bat-title.

It seems like artist Jim Calafiore knows he’s drawing a shitty book. Considering his talent, he’s holding back. I don’t blame him. Save your artistic stength for something worthy of you skills.

The issue ends with Man-Bat running away from Alfred and the Outsiders. Please Dr. Langstrom, keep running and don’t look back!

.5 out of 5

http://www.jimmyinthegarden.com

[Captain Jim]

Serves me right. I thought this was going to suck and it did. Now, I am three dollars poorer.

Hahahahahahaha. I could have said the exact same thing!

[Alexx1]

It was an okay story that could have been enhanced with better art. I certainly hope Jim Calafiore gives Fabian and 'Network' BFTC tie-in better than he gave this book. Fabian's a really good writer and Network will be starring some of my favorite characters.

[JubileeFan]

I just read my copy last night and at the point where he realizes his wife is gone, the Man-Bat story stops and the rest of the book is a different story about the wizard Shazam coming back to life. That's a missprint right?

[CocktailXYZ]

I just read my copy last night and at the point where he realizes his wife is gone, the Man-Bat story stops and the rest of the book is a different story about the wizard Shazam coming back to life. That's a missprint right?

It sure is.

But considering what little plot this oneshot actually had, you might have ended up with a better story than the rest of us. XD

[DC906270-BIL]

The best BFTC one shot so far has been 'Arkham Asylum', written by David Hines. Probably Man-Bat, and The Network a close 2nd/3rd.