Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You know, I really wanted to hate this..., December 18, 2005
This review is from: Batman: Under the Hood, Vol. 1 (Paperback)
I went into this knowing who the Red Hood was and expecting to hate this storyline. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the story was. Winnick sold it.
In the past I have found Winnicks writing to be extremely hit or miss. His work on Outsiders has always seemed rather lacking to me and while I have enjoyed his Green Arrow work it never struck me as brilliant. Under the Hood is really very good, leaps and bounds ahead of his other work.
His handling of Batman is great, he is driven and obsessed but more likeable than I have seen him be in a while. The subtle ways in which he deals with the trust issues left by Identity Crisis are also quite good. Winnick handles the conflict between Batman and the Red Hood quite well, building suspense and excitement. Black Mask also comes across as a great character ruthless but quite funny at times.
Overall its a good package.
Now if only Winnick could write Nightwing this well in the Outsiders.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of the biggest comic events this year....spoilers, November 11, 2005
This review is from: Batman: Under the Hood, Vol. 1 (Paperback)
Okay, do NOT read this review if you don't want any spoilers. It's impossible for me to write a review about this book without a spoiler. Okay now that, that's out of the way, here's the review...
Batman Under the Hood collects Batman #635-641 and is written by Judd Winick (Green Arrow) and illustrated by the ex-art team of JLA, Doug Mahnke and Tom Nguyen. The story starts of with a mysterious vigilante/criminal coming into Gotham City on the heels of War Games and challenges the current mob-boss Black Mask. The Red Hood is soon shown to be ruthless as he kills and maims anyone who gets in his way. The Red Hood even steals 100 lbs of Kryptonie and activates an Amazo (with the combines power of the JLA) to take on Batman and Nightwing. Red Hood comes off as a very formidable for for Batman But through out his escapades there is a hint of familiatrity. Now, the Red Hood seems like any other Batman villain but his true identity is what's shocking....it's the resurrected Jason Todd. Yes, the same Jason Todd who died at the hands of the Joker and has stayed dead for the better part of a decade and a half. He's back and apparently like everyone in Comics, he didn't stay dead either.
Now, I was really torn over this story. I hate seeing characters brought back because it cheapens the entire death scenerio. And someone like Jason, whom the readers voted (via the 900 number) to kill off, it's a real thorne on my side. But I have to admit that Winick brought him back in a very stylish manner and if I had to bring him back, I couldn't imagine any better way of doing this. The dialogues are sharp and sometimes has a sardonic humor to it. The last scene where Red Hood's idenity is revealed is very bittersweet. It's like finding a long lost friend but then you realize that he is not the same friend you knew.
This event ties in with the current monthly Infinite Crisis event happening at DC and the mystery is far from over so do not expect any closures of any sort in this book. The entire book is the revelation of Red Hood's idenitity and leaves you with more questions then answers which I eagerly look forward to being answered in future volumes.
Recommendation --- pretty cheap price tag, excellent story, stylish art, definitely pick it up.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Past Shall Come Back to Haunt Him.., June 20, 2006
This review is from: Batman: Under the Hood, Vol. 1 (Paperback)
Gotham's criminal underworld is ruled by Black Mask. But someone is trying to undermine his operations...and it's not Batman. His face is one well known among comic fans...The face of Jason Todd. Now Batman has to face his worst fears: His former protege has returned from death to battle evil on his own, lethal terms.
This is an excellent story, Judd Winick is an incredible writer who knows how to spin a tale that entertains readers. I love his use of dialogue, "Do you prefer I call you Black Mask...Mr. Mask...Blackie?" He is able to make the characters real and Batman is excellent in this story. I highly reccomend that you buy it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
