Craig Zablo

Batman Catwoman: Follow the Money is a one shot from DC Comics.

Written by Howard Chaykin
Art by Howard Chaykin
Colors by Jesus Aburto
Letters by John J. Hill

The Cavalier – that’s the Z-lister with the swords, right? So how’d he manage to frame Catwoman for a run of burglaries? And how on Earth did he manage the more spectacular crime of cleaning out the Wayne Enterprises pension fund and framing Bruce Wayne for the deed? However impressive he may appear to be, The Cavalier will quickly learn that frame-ups like that cut both ways, as both Batman and Catwoman begin tracking the Gotham City villain in this stand-alone one-shot from comics legend Howard Chaykin!

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below *** The Good

• I am a huge Howard Chaykin fan and so Chaykin on the writing and art chores is absolutely good enough to get me on board.
• “I have to say I love what I do.”
• “…it’s when the movies overlap that the trouble starts.”
• Catwoman arguing with Batman that he does break the law.  “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”
• “Good call, Peter… start praying.”

The Bad:

• Having only a T-square for defense against a swordsman with an electric sword.

The Ugly:

• Wayne Enterprises’ massive accounting scandal leaving the pension fund broke.

Batman Catwoman: Follow the Money

Rating: 3 out of 5

The Black Beetle: No Way Out is a four issue mini-series from Dark Horse Comics.

Written and Directed by Francesco Francavilla

The epic conclusion to Black Beetle’s first series! Colt City’s caped crusader goes head to head with the mysterious villain Labyrinto! Can Black Beetle make it out of this maze of matched wits and matched blows alive?!

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below *** The Good

• Francavilla has set up the Black Beetle to look and feel like an old pulp magazine or movie serial.
• Another great cover by Francavilla.
• Last panel page 5.
• Is that Steranko??
• The reason Labyrinto chose his name.
• Bonus art – Albert Hulm and more!
• Francavilla’s coloring throughout the series has been spot on.

The Bad:

• “All right Fierro… time’s up.”  “You got that right.”  Poor Fierro.
• “I’m afraid I’ve been you to the punch once again, my mysterious friend.”
• The way Jimmy Galazzo’s dad treated him.

The Ugly:

• Poor Fierro.

Black Beetle: No Way Out

Rating: 5 out of 5

The Black Beetle: No Way Out is a four issue mini-series from Dark Horse Comics.

Written and Directed by Francesco Francavilla

While investigating a mysterious mass murder that leveled Colt City’s mob bosses, Black Beetle gets wrapped up in a puzzling maze of clues. Could the appearance of a costumed criminal named Labyrinto be related to the destruction of the powerful organized-crime racket?

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below *** The Good

• Francavilla has set up the Black Beetle to look and feel like an old pulp magazine or movie serial.
• Every month I sing the praises of Francavilla’s Black Beetle covers.  This is my favorite so far.
• Shadows fall over the Black Beetle’s face while in disguise but out of costume — could they be a nod to Will Eisner’s The Spirit?
• “Having me outnumbered makes them confident… but it also makes them predictable.”
• Page before “Intermezzo” — who is that mystery man watching from above in the shadows.  Oh-oh.  I thought it was him.
• “Tonight the madness ends.”
• More bonus art from Francavilla!

The Bad:

• “You were asking too many questions.  We don’t like snoops around here.”
• Yikes!  There’s a mystery man watching from the shadows above.
• “Guess I’ll have to check the body myself… Sometimes I hate my job.”

The Ugly:

• “Not much left of the face.”

Black Beetle: No Way Out

Rating: 5 out of 5

The Black Beetle: No Way Out is a four issue mini-series from Dark Horse Comics.

Written and Directed by Francesco Francavilla

While investigating a mysterious mass murder that leveled Colt City’s mob bosses, Black Beetle gets wrapped up in a puzzling maze of clues. Could the appearance of a costumed criminal named Labyrinto be related to the destruction of the powerful organized-crime racket?

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below *** The Good

• Francavilla has set up the Black Beetle to look and feel like an old pulp magazine or movie serial.
• Another great cover by Francavilla.
• Love the double-page splash on pages 2 and 3.
• “But luckily no one gets hurt.”
• “Thankfully I never leave for an ocean trip without a respirator…”
• “I’ve learned that, in my case, ‘unlikely to happen’ is often likely to happen.”
• Big panel on page 11.
• “The moment I hear him… it’s a second too late.”
• Page 14
• “Oh, C’mon now!”
• Darwyn Cooke Black Beetle bonus sketch!
• More bonus art from Francavilla!

The Bad:

• “But even with the helipack, I arrived too late.
• “Take care of the Black Beetle once and for all.”  Yikes!
• Who is the person lurking in the shadows behind the Black Beetle on page 9 and coming up behind him on page 10?

The Ugly:

• “It’s a short fall… but long enough to see all those tiny hungry red eyes… waiting for me to hit the water.  They’re all over me in a second. And they keep coming.  And coming.”
• Water rising quickly and the escape hatch is barred from the outside!

Black Beetle: No Way Out

Rating: 5 out of 5

The Black Beetle: No Way Out #1 in a four issue mini-series from Dark Horse Comics.

Written and Directed by Francesco Francavilla

Black Beetle’s investigation of two local mob bosses is interrupted when a mysterious explosion murders them and a pub full of gangsters—taking out most of Colt City’s organized crime in one fell swoop. Who could pull off such a coup, and what danger might that murderous bomber do to Colt City and Black Beetle?

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below *** The Good

• Francavilla has set up the Black Beetle to look and feel like an old pulp magazine or movie serial.
• Love the cover by Francavilla.
• Followed by an equally awesome full page splash.
• “Wish me luck.  Not that I need it.”
• Bonus “title cards” after the story created by Francesco Francavilla.
• “Are you from space, Mister?”
• “Are right, Rick.  I don’t have time for this. So…”
• The cliffhanger last page.
• “Okay.  You’re good.  I’ll give you that.  But this is not over.”
• Bonus teaser images by Francavilla and a Black Beetle pinup by Mike Norton.

The Bad:

• “K-BAOOOOOOOMMM!!”
• “All I can think about is WHO got to them BEFORE I did… While I should really be worrying about… freefalling from an EIGHTEEN STORY BUILDING.”

The Ugly:

• “Thudd!”
• “Constantino.”  “Huh?  “FWWWP  FWWWP”

Black Beetle: No Way Out #1

Rating: 5 out of 5