batman and the monster men #2 (spoilers)

[cbridentity]

Hot dang. This is shaping up to be a fine little story. It seems to have a little bit of everything and for a "year one" fan such as myself, the writing is like music to my ears. This IS year two. There is a warrant out for the bat and Gordon lets him gather evidence from crime scenes before his own forensic team gets there. That's just priceless. The loss of the armored and reinforced "night car" and Batman's promise of something new, something better. Can't wait to see that. Bruce having a "seemingly" genuine relationship with a girl. Not just for arm candy, that's different. And appreciated. And little Hugo Strange, way to go doc, you take down that poker game with your little turbaned sidekick and your overgrown monster man.

This is a great comic. I sense a tpb that will be a classic on the batman short list for years to come.

My only, very small, issue is with the art. It certainly works and conveys the mood and the characters, it just doesn't do it for me. I can't explain it. To me it lacks texture, if that makes any sense. It seems drawn for a younger less discerning audience. It doesn't detract from the story though. The cover (painted I assume) is beautiful and I wish that same look could be used through out the book.

Way to go Matt Wagner! You really know how to tell a Batman Story.

[stealthwise]

Really? I find this writing to be pretty basic, and I'm surprised that all of the Bat-titles can't maintain this consistent level of quality each year. However, this story is still a good one, just not blowing me away on every level. It seems like each time we get a "past Batman" story, the writer feels the need to insert the "this is where the batmobile/batcopter/etc" device comes from, and always shoehorns in a possible romantic relationship that we KNOW will go sour anyways. I'll give Wagner the benefit of the doubt in assuming that Bruce won't reveal his identity to this broad. The series has the feel of a Batmovie (animated or otherwise) so far, and that's not a bad thing, just makes it feel pretty standard up to this point.

[ultramandingo]

whats not to like , giant man eating "monster men" , un pc villianious henchmen , mad science , body parts , greasy gangsters and wagner's dark detective . and still no omacs

[steeler80]

This is really shaping up to be a good series. Like I said after issue #1, I've read the story this is based on and I love how Wagner is taking elements from that story and updating them for a modern audience. Looking forward to issue #3.

[1HELLBOY]

This is an awesome book. And I'm glad it carries over into 12 issues.


Great stuff.

[prand_2002]

I borrowed this from a friend and read it. It was great. Finally they show a Batman who eats, has a social life and gets laid. These things have been missing a lot from the Bat books lately. Also good to see a pre Batmobile Batman in action.

[stealthwise]

This is an awesome book. And I'm glad it carries over into 12 issues.


Great stuff.

It's listed as 6 in solicitations.

[Harry]

It's listed as 6 in solicitations.
If I'm not mistaken it's the first half of a two part story kind of thing. Or is it a trilogy?

[stealthwise]

If I'm not mistaken it's the first half of a two part story kind of thing. Or is it a trilogy?

Crap. Is there a source for this info?

[Guts/Batman]

Yea.

I thought it was a 6 parter myself.

Love the story.

[jaguarshark]

I seem to remember reading that while this story is a six-parter, it's the first of three such minis we'll be seeing from Wagner's "Dark Moon Rising" imprint. Could be wrong.

[jaguarshark]

OK, I read another interview with Wagner the other day, in hard copy unfortunately so I don't know where to link you to, where he says that 'Monster Men' is one of two Batman projects he's working on, the follow-up under the 'Dark Moon Rising' imprint will be a retelling of Batman's encounter with the vampire, aka that guy in the red hood from an early Kane issue. Again, I'm quasi-quoting something I read in one of those newspaper format things you can pick up at your local comic shop, I could have remembered it incorrectly.

[megladon8]

I haven't been reading this story. I decided not to bother getting it, as the last few Bat books and mini-series' haven't impressed me much.

Looks like I picked a bad time to quit :)

I'm sure it'll be out in TPB shortly after the run is over.

Or I can just get it back-ordered.

[jaguarshark]

Yeah, I usually don't pick up minis either, megladon, and I'm looking to focus on building up my trades collection from now on at the expense of singles. This is the last 'monthly' title (as monthly as a mini can get, anyway) that will be on my must-have list, hopefully you are able to pick it up in TPB format, it's a really great read. Kinda reminiscent of Year One, with a very human and very likeable Batman.

[megladon8]

Yeah, I usually don't pick up minis either, megladon, and I'm looking to focus on building up my trades collection from now on at the expense of singles. This is the last 'monthly' title (as monthly as a mini can get, anyway) that will be on my must-have list, hopefully you are able to pick it up in TPB format, it's a really great read. Kinda reminiscent of Year One, with a very human and very likeable Batman.

Does it actually have something to do with monsters?

I haven't read any of the spoilers...I don't even know what the story is.

[Guts/Batman]

Does it actually have something to do with monsters?

I haven't read any of the spoilers...I don't even know what the story is.

Yes it does.

And Dr. Hugo Strange is one...strange man.

Haven't seen too much of Strange's plan to tell you the truth. This is more of a character driven story so far.

[Max_Dillon]

I like this a lot so far :tu

[jaguarshark]

Does it actually have something to do with monsters?

I haven't read any of the spoilers...I don't even know what the story is.

Yeah, it's about Hugo Strange engineering these Monster Men. So yeah, it's about monsters, but mainly about Hugo Strange. I've found it very similar in tone to the animated series, particularly the whole subplot with Bruce falling in love, and the woman's father being involved with the mob- very 'Mask of the Phantasm'. But more than just story elements, the feel is just very similar to the animated series, and at times the movies, probably because it's not as weighed down with continuity as the ongoing titles.
Going back a bit, if you have the Archives or Chronicles book, or the old 'Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told' collection, you can find the original story of Hugo Strange and the Monster Men that Wagner is re-telling.

[Mia]

Enjoyable so far. However it seems as if he is pilfering heavily from Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and Batman Year Two.