A Scary Comic Book For A Scary Night!

(A Very Scary) Greetings and Salutations!

Batman has always been a character happy to live in darkness. He does his crime fighting by cover of night, he wears dark colors to be scary and threatening to bad guys, his mental health is probably a little on the dark side (possibly teetering precariously on the edge of sanity), all this makes for comics that can sometimes be very dark and very creepy. For October, the Professor wanted to find a creepy Batman story, one that can give the reader chills and get them in the mood for the Halloween fright fest.

Arkham Asylum: A Serious House On Serious Earth by Grant Morrison, is such a story. Set in the most horrible, darkest, and violent detention center in Gotham City (what would you expect from a place that houses all of Batman's worst villains? As expected, it is going to be horrible, dark, and violent place!), the worst possible scenario has occurred: the inmates have taken over the facilities and are demanding Batman as ransom for the staff! Of course, Batman complies to the demented demand and enters into a world where his psyche and strength will be tested to their breaking points. For someone like Batman, who is already messed up in the head, this is going to be true torture indeed. Along with facing his most evil foes, Batman must survive a journey through his own personal hell. What will happen? Well, go read it, dear readers.

The Creepiest Cover? Wait till you see the inside...

Similar to bad pizza nightmares?

Dave Mckean's art perfectly compliments Morrison's story. It is filled with shadowy figures, dark corners, and hidden doors all representing Batman's inner tortured mind. This is no sunny day story, this certainly puts the dark in Dark Knight. For mature readers, of course. One of Grant Morrison and Dave McKean's best, it serves to tell a story that is aimed squarely at the festivities of a dark and scary Halloween. Muahahahaha.....

Until next time, brave comic book readers!

Professor O

Professor O | Superman and Batman: Comic's Peanut Butter and Jelly

Raise your hand if you like Peanut Butter and Jelly!

Raise your hand if you like Superman and Batman! 

Now, you add some bread and you got yourself one of the Professor's favorite food, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Put the two heroes together and have them work as a team, that is World's Finest Comics. 

A late, but exciting hello, fellow adventurers!

It is time to dive back into the comic book collection at the Stockton/San Joaquin Public Library. In this installment, we will take a close look, not at the snack, but at the two aforementioned heroes. They will not be pitted against each other, but teaming up to fight battles too heavy for the other guys, and too big for one of them alone. The ever dutiful and just, Superman, paired with the rough justice and smarts of Batman will have to take on enemies of galactic proportions. It is only fitting, wouldn't you agree? The title in mind today is Superman/Batman: Absolute Power by Jeph Loeb, with Carlos Pacheco on art. Wherein The Dark Knight Detective and The Man Of Steel are evil dictators that rule through pain and terror. What? But, how did this happen? Who could be behind this? The Professor asks that you, fellow traveler, see for yourself, and go borrow the book to answer all piqued questions.

 

Jeph Loeb brings in one of the Professor's favorites, and sometime collaborator, Darkseid. He does some big damage. Add a little time travel, interesting plot twists, and you've got an epic worthy of the heavy hitters. Recall the Professor mentioning, "galactic proportions"?  What else could be a match for the Titans of comics? Jeph Loeb knows how to focus on the best of their skills and balances well the character's personalities. Ultimately, Batman does not trust Superman. Discuss. 

A good and worthy look into the Superman/Batman's BFF-ness, for lack of a better term. There are other Superman/Batman titles throughout the entire library system, feel free to borrow. Batman kicks butt and outsmarts everyone, Superman takes care of the muscle and lights stuff on fire. Eye beams rule. 

Until the next time, warrior...