After a 2-week absence, the Roundup is back! Buckle up and set a course for fun. Or just read these reviews.

Batman #656
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Andy Kubert
$2.99

Grant Morrison’s splendid reconstruction of Batman continues. The Batman presented here (and to a degree, in Paul Dini’s Detective Comics) is much lighter than the paranoid creepazoid of the ’90s and early ’00s, but he’s no less exciting. From the coloring of the batsuit (light blue cape and cowl with light grey body suit) to Batman’s inner monologue during a fight with ninja Man-Bats in an art gallery (”If there’s one thing I hate…it’s art with no content”), this is indeed a throwback to the swashbuckling, fun-but-tough Bats of the ’70s. It makes for a more entertaining read with a more likeable hero, yet still true to the character through and through.

KFR Rating: A-

Astonishing X-Men #16
Writer: Joss Whedon
Artist: John Cassady
$2.99

The latest installment of the flagship X-title, while not as strong as the last few issues, keeps the series among the best in superhero comics. Kitty Pryde shines here, using her powers in inventive ways and
emerging as a leader — Joss Whedon makes it impossible not to root for her. But there’s a bit too much of Wolverine-the-wimp here, and it’s not as funny as Whedon thinks it is. Still, the building tension, smart action and John Cassady’s sensational art are worth the price of admission. At this point, Astonishing is an event upon each release, and deservedly so, even if the bar set by the first arc remains a little bit out of reach.

KFR Rating: B+

Justice League of America #1
Writer: Brad Meltzer
Artist: Ed Benes
$3.99

Not being the biggest fan of Identity Crisis, I wasn’t too excited for Brad Meltzer’s new Justice League of America. Indeed, I found many of IC’s problems here. Meltzer’s penchant for melodrama is in full effect, from the silly debate over selection of new JLA members to the tiresome grieving of the Red Tornado’s widow. But the subplot of a mystery villain stealing Red Tornado’s lifeless body carries the issue, and with some surprise additions to the JLA roster (Black Lightning, Power Girl), there are some potentially fun things to come.

KFR Rating: B-

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