About Heroes

This review was submitted by knightwingbk

Writer: Frank Miller
Artists: Jim Lee & Scott Williams

Well, this issue is finally here. Does it merit picking up? Sure. I mean its Frank Miller and Jim Lee. Ok, at least pick it up for Jim Lee's sake, he’s not making movie royalty money.

First off, I'd like to say that the 6 page spread of the Batcave is OFF THE CHAIN! Yes I will delve into urbonics, only because it is so awesome. Every shot of the batcave by Lee is awesome in this book, not just that one spread. If Frank Miller were drawing this book, we might not have an awesome batcave at all. Lee is in rare form, and any excuse to look at his art is a good one.

You can tell this is a Frank Miller book. It’s got the Sin City 2 panel pages, diagonal panel lines, 3 single page splashes, and the ginormous 6 page splash mentioned above. The writing here lacks the Frank Miller flair that number 2 had, but its still Frank. Frank's early Batman is a jerk, or is a jerk to make Dick stronger, he keeps Dick talking and moving so he can't cry about his parents, and leaves him in the cave alone, with no food, no blankets (its cold we're told), and no entertainment (other than looking at Jim Lee's Batcave). Luckily, Alfred is there. Miller's Alfred is the first time I've ever seen Alfred talk back to Batman. It makes him a real person, characterized in a way we've never seen. In fact Miller has been the first writer to ever give Alfred things to do (see issues 1 &2 where he rescues Vicki Vale by himself). If we're to believe that Alfred was an ex-soldier in the UK, and is a father figure to Wayne, then he shouldn't be a pushover like he has been in modern comics. I can see where Miller is going with the series. Batman wants a protégé, someone just like him, and that is how he will train and treat him, but with Alfred's refusal to be unkind to the boy, Dick turns out not to be a mini-Batman or (Batboy) but someone else entirely (duh!). I'll stick with this series, I may be the only one but here's hoping there is not another 5 month wait between issues. B-

This review was submitted by Spider-ben

What’s that saying? “Better late than never.” That’s exactly how I felt when I saw this issue at the store on Wednesday. Despite delays and one hell of a different approach to Batman, I really enjoy this book. Sure, Batman and Dick have been in the Batmobile (submarine and airplane as well) since issue 2 began, but they finally get out of the car this time. I love, love, love the six page splash of the Batcave. That is amazing and really captured the awe and shock that Dick must have been feeling. After leaving Dick to feed on rats or bats for food, our hero decides to use Superman as his errand boy in retreving a specialist in Paris to come to Gotham to save Vicki Vale. As the man of steel leaps over the ocean, Batman goes to beat the crap out of some goon for information. When Bats returns to the cave, he is pissed that Alfred has given Dick some nice pajamas and a cheeseburger and fries. Apparently Batman wants Dick to eat rats, and Alfred proceeds to tell Batman to go to hell. Batman realizes the brat is going to ruin everything, and we are left wondering how long it will be until the next issue comes out.

Thoughts/Comments:
I really wish I could have done a longer review, but this issue reads way fast. I love the artwork and attention to detail Lee has, but I still finished this issue quickly. Nonetheless, I enjoy the book. I just hope that it will pick up the pace and come out on more of a reliable shipping schedule. But I’m not holding my breath; I’m just taking it one issue at a time. I still like the book and realize its not current DC continuity or anything, so I just sit back and enjoy it for what it is. So all in all, I’m giving this one a B. I would grade higher because Jim Lee’s artwork is beautiful, but not much happened and it’s been a long wait since issue 3.