Comic Book Resources

The Batman · 10-09-2009, 12:19 PM

I'd been looking forward to this one for a while as I love Jones's Batman and I love the idea of the Dark Knight Detective facing off against the Invisible Man.

So guess which book my LCS forgot to put in my file this week?

Ain't that always the way?

Mat001 · 10-09-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsmeow

Isn't this series just set in the past rather than non-canon?

It's set in the past based on the yellow oval on the suit. Let's just say that this is before "Cataclysim", even though the costume is blue and gray and not darker from that time period.

Sn4tcH · 10-09-2009, 04:24 PM

I would say just after No Man's Land, as Black Skull still had some skin on his face during NML, and he was a part of some cult or something...

I really need to get around to reading NML one day.

Ginkasa · 10-10-2009, 07:21 PM

I hated this book. Hated it. I have no prior experience with this artist or writer. I've seen the same stylized Batman on a couple of covers while browsing, but that is it. Their other works from the past might be excellent. They could be iconic collaborators. I don't know (except for some vague references to awesome within this thread). All I know is I disliked every minute I spent reading this book.

The artwork was bad. I could see this Batman looking cool if used right, but here he just looks hilarious. He strikes up insane poses for no reason. These poses are not scary or cool or reflect any natural reaction Batman might have in a conversation. My favorite is when he's talking to Gordon and Batman says, "That weird," and has some odd claw grip or something. Its like he's trying to physically manifest how weird a walking meat-man must be. When's he's not striking poses, Batman looks odd and misshapen. I just can't but it.

The writing is almost worse. The scientist was developed almost not at all. He monologues for no reason and is insane for even less reason. I mean, I get the invisible serum was supposed to be affecting him, but if that's the only cause they went too far to fast. We didn't get to see him sane before he went invisible. And the whole food scene is just laughable. Pretty much everything involving this guy was horrible, and since he's the "unseen" in the title it doesn't bode well for the rest of the series.

To be fair, there is a tiny bit of positive. Batman did look cool in a couple of panels. I'm thinking of right after the fight in the beginning when he's standing in the middle of the fallen combatants; too bad its ruined by the melting chin a couple of panels away. And I do like the whole "not scared of Batman" plot, but its just not enough to cover up for the silly poses or hilarious-in-a-bad-way monologues.

I'll probably by the next one since these guys are supposed to be good, but I don't have my hopes up.

Lupek · 10-12-2009, 05:34 AM

I liked this quite a bit. It was almost like a German expressionist film in a comic book.

I'd wait for the trade but I could use a monthly Bat-fix.

catsmeow · 10-12-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sn4tcH

I would say just after No Man's Land, as Black Skull still had some skin on his face during NML, and he was a part of some cult or something...

I really need to get around to reading NML one day.

It can't be post NML because Bruce was firmly back in the oval-less outfit at that point.

Sn4tcH · 10-12-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsmeow

It can't be post NML because Bruce was firmly back in the oval-less outfit at that point.

The only problem with that is that this is what Black Mask looked like in NML:

Also, at the beginning of that issue, it shows him burning his gangster suits.

We could just say that this happens at the end of NML but before the the following arcs...

or it could just be out of continuity...

MattyB · 10-12-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginkasa

I hated this book. Hated it. I have no prior experience with this artist or writer. I've seen the same stylized Batman on a couple of covers while browsing, but that is it. Their other works from the past might be excellent. They could be iconic collaborators. I don't know (except for some vague references to awesome within this thread). All I know is I disliked every minute I spent reading this book.

The artwork was bad. I could see this Batman looking cool if used right, but here he just looks hilarious. He strikes up insane poses for no reason. These poses are not scary or cool or reflect any natural reaction Batman might have in a conversation. My favorite is when he's talking to Gordon and Batman says, "That weird," and has some odd claw grip or something. Its like he's trying to physically manifest how weird a walking meat-man must be. When's he's not striking poses, Batman looks odd and misshapen. I just can't but it.

The writing is almost worse. The scientist was developed almost not at all. He monologues for no reason and is insane for even less reason. I mean, I get the invisible serum was supposed to be affecting him, but if that's the only cause they went too far to fast. We didn't get to see him sane before he went invisible. And the whole food scene is just laughable. Pretty much everything involving this guy was horrible, and since he's the "unseen" in the title it doesn't bode well for the rest of the series.

To be fair, there is a tiny bit of positive. Batman did look cool in a couple of panels. I'm thinking of right after the fight in the beginning when he's standing in the middle of the fallen combatants; too bad its ruined by the melting chin a couple of panels away. And I do like the whole "not scared of Batman" plot, but its just not enough to cover up for the silly poses or hilarious-in-a-bad-way monologues.

I'll probably by the next one since these guys are supposed to be good, but I don't have my hopes up.

I don't think I could disagree more, especially when it came to the art. I am confident though it would pick up in the second issue though.

catsmeow · 10-12-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sn4tcH

The only problem with that is that this is what Black Mask looked like in NML:

Also, at the beginning of that issue, it shows him burning his gangster suits.

We could just say that this happens at the end of NML but before the the following arcs...

or it could just be out of continuity...

Can't it take place just before NML?

Sn4tcH · 10-12-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsmeow

Can't it take place just before NML?

Before NML, Black Mask was wearing a mask, then the mask burnt permanently onto his face. That picture up there is what happened once he took off the mask, he still has skin on his face and it's even tatooed. Eventually, his skin was removed off of his face so he looked as he does (did?).

So, in Unseen Black Mask is shown with the full black skull which is what leads me to believe it has to happen after Mosaic in NML, but before he removed the yellow bat symbol. It makes even more sense to happen after NML, if you consider Black Mask is even talking about making his gang powerful again.

Or again, not in continuity.

Bookem Danno · 10-14-2009, 04:19 AM

I am thinking more of Mr. Bones from Infinity Inc than this story itself. Black Mask looks cool but looks like him here.

Has there ever been a DC story that had Mr. Bones dealing with the power of absolute invisibility? Has Mr. Bones been in any story working with Bruce Wayne ever?

It is also driving me crazy trying to remember that last TV series dealing with an Invisible Man working for a government agency to compare to. Melanic masking and plasmic bleaching sounds sort of neat here.

Batman Fan 31593 · 10-15-2009, 06:48 PM

Post-NML, pre-Officer Down seems to be the most logical time for this story to take place. Bullock is refered to as a Lt. in this issue, which was actually his rank at that time, IIRC. The yellow oval can be easily explained, I'm sure Bruce keeps his old customes around, what's to stop him from wearing one every so often if he feels like it?

Also, since no one else has mentioned it, one of the things I enjoy most about Doug Moench's writing is his creative use of onomatopoeia. Those of you who were around during Doug's run on Batman in the 1990s might recall him revealing in the letters column that he writes his own sound effects. He hasn't lost his touch. A couple of my favorites from Batman: Unseen are:

KRSH KRNSCH KRSH as the invisible man chomps down on some food
KUH-KRATCH as Batman kicks thru a door

DrewC · 10-21-2009, 11:30 AM

I've pretty much loved everything Moench has ever done (particularly his Moon Knight, Werewolf By Night and Batman), so I was very pleased to grab this book.

I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next issue.

OverMaster · 10-21-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginkasa

The artwork was bad. I could see this Batman looking cool if used right, but here he just looks hilarious. He strikes up insane poses for no reason. These poses are not scary or cool or reflect any natural reaction Batman might have in a conversation. My favorite is when he's talking to Gordon and Batman says, "That weird," and has some odd claw grip or something. Its like he's trying to physically manifest how weird a walking meat-man must be. When's he's not striking poses, Batman looks odd and misshapen. I just can't but it.

Kelley Jones' artwork is pretty much love it or hate it. Don't expect it to change in following issues; you either grow fond of it or not. It's like Bill Sienkiewicz's to some degree in that regard.

It helps if you think of all those bizarre poses and visual gimmicks as symbolism of the darkness of the story itself.

10-09-2009, 04:24 PM	#18
Sn4tcH Continuity Is Life Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Joliet, Il. Posts: 1,949	I would say just after No Man's Land, as Black Skull still had some skin on his face during NML, and he was a part of some cult or something... I really need to get around to reading NML one day. __________________ Libaax: (Grant Morrison) is so fresh, a god of superhero comics and (you should) worship his world of Batman.

10-14-2009, 04:19 AM	#26
Bookem Danno Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 307	Mr. Bones from Infinity Inc? I am thinking more of Mr. Bones from Infinity Inc than this story itself. Black Mask looks cool but looks like him here. Has there ever been a DC story that had Mr. Bones dealing with the power of absolute invisibility? Has Mr. Bones been in any story working with Bruce Wayne ever? It is also driving me crazy trying to remember that last TV series dealing with an Invisible Man working for a government agency to compare to. Melanic masking and plasmic bleaching sounds sort of neat here. Attached Thumbnails

10-15-2009, 06:48 PM	#27
Batman Fan 31593 The Numbered One Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gotham City, KS Posts: 1,519	Post-NML, pre-Officer Down seems to be the most logical time for this story to take place. Bullock is refered to as a Lt. in this issue, which was actually his rank at that time, IIRC. The yellow oval can be easily explained, I'm sure Bruce keeps his old customes around, what's to stop him from wearing one every so often if he feels like it? Also, since no one else has mentioned it, one of the things I enjoy most about Doug Moench's writing is his creative use of onomatopoeia. Those of you who were around during Doug's run on Batman in the 1990s might recall him revealing in the letters column that he writes his own sound effects. He hasn't lost his touch. A couple of my favorites from Batman: Unseen are: KRSH KRNSCH KRSH as the invisible man chomps down on some food KUH-KRATCH as Batman kicks thru a door __________________ "Oh, people can come up with statistics to prove anything. 14% of people know that." - Homer Simpson "I don't eat anything new unless I've eaten it before!" - Homer Simpson Last edited by Batman Fan 31593; 10-15-2009 at 06:50 PM.

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10-09-2009, 12:19 PM	#16
The Batman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: London, Ontario, Canada! Posts: 8,298	I'd been looking forward to this one for a while as I love Jones's Batman and I love the idea of the Dark Knight Detective facing off against the Invisible Man. So guess which book my LCS forgot to put in my file this week? Ain't that always the way?

10-10-2009, 07:21 PM	#19
Ginkasa Link1130 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 135	I hated this book. Hated it. I have no prior experience with this artist or writer. I've seen the same stylized Batman on a couple of covers while browsing, but that is it. Their other works from the past might be excellent. They could be iconic collaborators. I don't know (except for some vague references to awesome within this thread). All I know is I disliked every minute I spent reading this book. The artwork was bad. I could see this Batman looking cool if used right, but here he just looks hilarious. He strikes up insane poses for no reason. These poses are not scary or cool or reflect any natural reaction Batman might have in a conversation. My favorite is when he's talking to Gordon and Batman says, "That weird," and has some odd claw grip or something. Its like he's trying to physically manifest how weird a walking meat-man must be. When's he's not striking poses, Batman looks odd and misshapen. I just can't but it. The writing is almost worse. The scientist was developed almost not at all. He monologues for no reason and is insane for even less reason. I mean, I get the invisible serum was supposed to be affecting him, but if that's the only cause they went too far to fast. We didn't get to see him sane before he went invisible. And the whole food scene is just laughable. Pretty much everything involving this guy was horrible, and since he's the "unseen" in the title it doesn't bode well for the rest of the series. To be fair, there is a tiny bit of positive. Batman did look cool in a couple of panels. I'm thinking of right after the fight in the beginning when he's standing in the middle of the fallen combatants; too bad its ruined by the melting chin a couple of panels away. And I do like the whole "not scared of Batman" plot, but its just not enough to cover up for the silly poses or hilarious-in-a-bad-way monologues. I'll probably by the next one since these guys are supposed to be good, but I don't have my hopes up.

10-12-2009, 05:34 AM	#20
Lupek Is For DC Regime Change Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Archipelago of Last Years Posts: 1,501	I liked this quite a bit. It was almost like a German expressionist film in a comic book. I'd wait for the trade but I could use a monthly Bat-fix.

10-21-2009, 11:30 AM	#28
DrewC Miskatonic U! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 18	I've pretty much loved everything Moench has ever done (particularly his Moon Knight, Werewolf By Night and Batman), so I was very pleased to grab this book. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next issue.