Crushing Comics

Welcome back to our read of Grant Morrison's run on Batman! For this episode, Peter insisted we read Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul IN FULL... and he was *WRONG*, y'all. If you were thinking maybe you didn't get enough of a summary from the stunning Chris Burnham summary pages in the Grant Morrison Batman omnibus we are here so you can witness our suffering with this part recap, part mocking, and part lamentation on this lumpy uneventful event. If you are reading digitally, here's the correct order: Batman (1940) Annual 26, Robin (1993) Annual 7 (2nd story), Batman (1940) #670, Robin (1993) #168, Nightwing (1996) #138, Detective Comics (1937) #838, Batman (1940) #671, Robin (1993) #169, Nightwing (1996) #139, & Detective Comics (1937) #839. For this epic (re)read, Harry is our expert - he loves Batman and Morrison, and he has read this run multiple times. Fariha is our intermediate - she has read plenty of Morrison and DC, but not this run in full and never any pre-90s Batman. And, Peter is now the novice - he's read some of this run before, but otherwise this is his FIRST TIME reading ANY pre-New-52 Batman! Tune in next week for Batman R.I.P. in DC Universe (2008) #0 and Batman (1940) #676-681.

It's This Week in X for 30 June, 2021 - the final week of The Hellfire Gala! Actually, there's just one Hellfire Gala issue this week - the final issue of X-Factor (2020) #10 - plus, the penultimate chapter of Cable (2020) #11. CONTENT WARNING: This issue contains overt themes of hate crimes, racially-motived violence, and sexual assault, which we begin discussing in specific at the 43-minute mark through 72m. In X-Factor #10, we discuss the structure of this abrupt series finale, as well as its narrative, visual, & editorial flaws - from the passing moments in the party scene, to the resolution of Prodigy's plot, to the major reveal in the final pages. Plus, thoughts on handling unexpected endings and if we care about that final reveal. In Cable #11, we discuss the merits of Teen Cable (Table) vs. Old Man Cable (…OMable?), the Ride of the Summers Clan +2, and how satisfying it is when a story has room to reach its intended ending. Spoiler warning - we discuss everything about X-Men up to and including comics from this week, as well as other current events in the Marvel Universe.

Welcome back to Crushing Comics Book Club for Batman by Grant Morrison! In this episode, we (and the Morrison omnibus) continue our read to the introduction of The Black Glove in Batman (1940) #667-669. Then, we SKIP issues #669-671 to continue to the Death of Batman (but not in the way you think) in Batman (1940) #672-675. The Black Glove is a story that HEAVILY references several stories in The Black Casebook, since it features Batman's full cast of international imitators! For this epic (re)read, Harry is our expert - he loves Batman and Morrison, and he has read this run multiple times. Fariha is our intermediate - she has read plenty of Morrison and DC, but not this run in full and never any pre-90s Batman. And, Peter is now the novice - he's read some of this run before, but otherwise this is his FIRST TIME reading ANY pre-New-52 Batman! Tune in next week as we read Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul IN FULL - not only in #670-671, but from prelude to ending in Batman (1940) Annual 26 & #670-671, Detective Comics (1937) #838-839, Nightwing (1996) #138-139, and Robin (1993) Annual 7 (2nd story) & #168-169.

It's This Week in X for 23 June, 2021 - the third week of The Hellfire Gala - plus EVEN MORE X-comics! Join Peter, Fariha, & Tyler as we discuss SWORD (2021) #6 (and Guardians of the Galaxy #15), Wolverine (2020) #13, Way of X (2021) #3, X-Men Legends (2021) #4, and highlights from Marvel Voices Pride. (Wolverine technically comes first, but because it was a briefer discussion we held it between the two more heavy-hitting issues.) In SWORD #6, we explore the intergalactic implications of the Hellfire Gala fireworks as we talk currency, coronations, terrific Captain America monologues, sneakily deleted scenes published in other comics, and the biggest shock of the Gala so far! For Wolverine #13, we debate if a comic that's 30% Logan really ought to be released under his name, and dig into Krakoa's first big "L" when it comes to Terra Verde. Way of X #3 is a heavy one, as we divide in love, frustration, and boredom and unpack our feelings by discussing Nightcrawler's ethics, making more mutants, sex positivity, and so much more. Then, we briefly buy/skip on X-Men Legends #4, and summarize the stories X-fans will care about the most in Marvel Voices Pride. Spoiler warning - we discuss everything about X-Men up to and including comics from this week, as well as other current events in the Marvel Universe.

Welcome back to Crushing Comics Book Club for Batman by Grant Morrison - and, our first episode discussing Morrison's run that began in 2006. Content Warning: We discuss sexual assault from 27:00 to 32:45. In this episode, we discuss Morrison's first arc with Andy Kubert - Batman and Son - in Batman (1940) #655-658. This story establishes some major themes of Morrison's run, as well as their major creation in the Batman family - Damian Wayne! Then, we (and the Morrison omnibus) skip over the unrelated issues #659-662 to continue with #663 - the infamous prose issue about The Joker ! After that, Batman comes face-to-face with a second deadly imitator in #654-655. And, finally, we get a glimpse into Damian's potential future in #666. Harry is our expert - he loves Batman and Morrison, and he has read this run multiple times. Fariha is our intermediate - she has read plenty of Morrison and DC. And, Peter is now the novice - he's read some of this run before, but otherwise this is his FIRST TIME reading pre-New-52 Batman! Tune in next week to continue our Morrison read with Batman (1940) #667-669 & 672-675. Note that we are skipping over the Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul issues in #670-671, which we will return to in the following episode.

It's part two of This Week in X for 16 June, 2021 - the third week of The Hellfire Gala! Join Peter, Tyler, & Harry as we discuss New Mutants (2019) #19 and X-Corp (2021) #2. (We discussed the epic Planet-Size X-Men in the previous episode.) In New Mutants #19, we cover the highs and lows of this cast who can so easily undress each other (figuratively & literally) from platonic love triangles to sincere apologies to that shocking finale. And, was X-Corp #2 the sleeper hit of the Gala or a business-as-usual snooze? The panel is split on our reaction. We run through Monet's agenda, discuss potential pitfalls of coloring a diverse cast, and opine on the potential picks for Mutant CXO. Spoiler warning - we discuss everything about X-Men up to and including comics from this week, as well as other current events in the Marvel Universe.

It's part one of This Week in X for 16 June, 2021 - the third week of The Hellfire Gala! Join Peter, Tyler, & Harry for a planet-size discussion of Planet-Size X-Men #1 - our coverage of this week's other two issues will follow in a separate episodes. We cover the events that lead to these cosmic fireworks, the most memorable moments of art and story, and the ramifications of the mutants' major move both from our real world perspective and within the Reign of X. Get ready, y'all - we were in an intense, occasionally hot-headed, and thoroughly silly mood for this one. Spoiler warning - we discuss everything about X-Men up to and including comics from this week, as well as other current events in the Marvel Universe.

Welcome back to Crushing Comics Book Club for Batman by Grant Morrison! This is the final of our three episodes of pre-reading to catch up on some of the themes, characters, and influences on Morrison's run. Next week, Morrison begins! In this episode, we read the final 3rd of the Tales of the Demon TPB, which includes Batman's unlikely marriage to Talia al Ghul! Then, we take a quick spin through the Demon Trilogy of OGNs (collected together as "Birth of the Demon" TPB), reaping diminishing returns from each one. Harry is our expert - he loves Batman and Morrison, and he has read this run multiple times. Fariha is our intermediate - she has read plenty of Morrison and DC. And, Peter is now the novice - he's read some of this run before, but otherwise this is his FIRST TIME reading pre-New-52 Batman! The stories are: - DC Special Series #15 - "I Now Pronounce You Batman and Wife!" (Summer 1978) - Detective Comics #485 - "The Vengeance Vow" (Aug/Sep 1979) - Detective Comics #489 - "Where Strike the Assassins" (April 1980) - Detective Comics #490 - "Requiem for a Martyr" (May 1980) - Batman: Son of the Demon (September, 1987) - Batman: Bride of the Demon (December, 1990) - Batman: Birth of the Demon (December, 1992) Tune in next week for our first engagement with Grant Morrison material, as we crack open our omnibuses and read Batman (1940) #655-658 & 663-666.

It's This Week in X for 9 June, 2021 - the second week of The Hellfire Gala! Join Peter, Fariha, & Tyler as we discuss X-Men (2019) #21, Excalibur (2019) #21, & Children of the Atom (2021) #4. (Yes, we know the books have Excalibur first; we disagree!) X-Men #21 is the finale of Hickman's X-Men, and it is fireworks-filled but surprisingly subtle. Come for intense Namor ego, stay for Sinister Secrets and sumptuous art (but, not for the anticlimactic off-panel psychic vote). Excalibur #21 is about breaking things and circling back to previous status quo. We discuss narrative necessities, the personal vs. the political, ridiculous capes, finding the right cast, and a long-anticipated reunion. Children of the Atom #4 is a BUY or SKIP discussion, with us highlighting what's working and what's worrying about this supporting book (which is NOT part of the Gala). Spoiler warning - we discuss everything about X-Men up to and including comics from this week, as well as other current events in the Marvel Universe.

Welcome back to Crushing Comics Book Club for Batman by Grant Morrison! This is the second of three episodes of pre-reading to catch up on some of the themes, characters, and influences on Morrison's run. In this episode, we read the first 2/3rds of the Tales of the Demon TPB, which includes the debut of Talia al Ghul and R'as al Ghul. We didn't know what to expect from these Bronze Age stories, but we wound up falling in love! Harry is our expert - he loves Batman and Morrison, and he has read this run multiple times. Fariha is our intermediate - she has read plenty of Morrison and DC. And, Peter is now the novice - he's read some of this run before, but otherwise this is his FIRST TIME reading pre-New-52 Batman! The stories are: Detective Comics #411 - "Into the Den of the Death-Dealers" (May 1971) Batman #232 - "Daughter of the Demon" (June 1971) Batman #235 - "Swamp Sinister" (Sep 1971) Batman #240 - "Vengeance for a Dead Man" (March 1972) Batman #242 - "Bruce Wayne - Rest in Peace!" (June 1972) Batman #243 - "The Lazarus Pit" (Aug 1972) Batman #244 - "The Demon Lives Again!" (Sep 1972) Tune in next week as we wrap up our pre-reading by finishing the final four issues in Tales of the Demon, as well as the Demon Trilogy of Son of the Demon, Bride of the Demon, and Birth of the Demon.