The past nights my sleep seems to be restless. Dreams that haunt me and when I am awake my thoughts seem hardly comforting too. With the death of my so-called sister, the understanding of the story of Azrael, I feel this fear surrounding me a fear I never believed I would have.

What if he loves me ? Would I make him weak ? Would I make him resent me because he doesn’t wish to feel it ? Would he hate me because he fears to love ?

I can’t help myself to be in this selfish thing as wanting to be love, uncaring to what it might do or to what it might cause. I am smart enough to keep it our secret. Strong enough to not test it, knowing that I can’t allow myself to have any friendships that might put me in the position of before when he killed my friend the squirrel.

Perhaps it is forbidden to love in his trade, he is in. Perhaps it is forbidden to care for a mere slave girl who not even seems to understand fully what a slave is. After all the conversation with the slave Ost, pretty much made clear that me being not that ‘hot and needy’ isn’t very slave like.

Here I am … waiting with my arms spread out wide … there to embrace him, comfort him, love him and devote my every being to him, fully aware of the darkness that might be coming with it.

At times I can’t help myself but to laugh in the wind when I think about the scared little Raven I once was, how naive and full of wonder she was. Now I know more, perhaps have hardened to this world and lost that frightened feeling of being chased by the shadows that these Masters of Gor seem to be.

My heart is strong enough, my will devoted enough, my mind sharp enough … it only needs him … to complete me.

So what is your wish?
I want to see her again.
You know that is an impossible task. The Dead shall not walk among the Living, their souls in eternal slumber.
I want to see her before I die.
My child, your body is already dead. Your spirit will soon sleep as well.
Please! I’ll do anything, just let me see her again… I can’t just leave her there.
FOOL! Are you aware of the consequences to be paid for such a blasphemous defiance of GOD Himself?
…
I knew you wouldn’t… arrogance I say. You stupid human, why are you so persistent? You simply cannot expect to be allowed back into the Earthly Realm and just walk into Heaven as you like.
And why not?
Because there are rules that must be followed! Laws have been declared! Edicts must be obeyed! Can’t you understand that?
I don’t care… I love her. I don’t care about the consequences.

Azrael paused. The darkness enclosing the man and angel grew heavier.

You truly do not understand, do you?
My soul will be forced to forever walk the earth. Never to see Heaven’s gates. Never to rest. Never to see the face of God.
You will never see Paradise.
I love her.
She may not be able to see you even.
She will.
She will die.
But I want her to be happy when that happens.
She has seventy years more in her world, you will have eternity. Can that be worth it?
Yes, most definitely.
So be it then.

The darkness began to fade away, revealing the shape of a man in black robes and a thin boy at his feet.
Azrael stood looking down ate the boy, “Your heart is pure and yet you could see Paradise, you choose to throw it away?”
The boy stood up, tiny compared to the angel, “I would give everything up for her.”
The angel folded his arms slowly, disapprovingly. Something akin to pity shone in the depths of his deep purple eyes. He stretched one white arm out and touched the boy’s shoulder. The boy flinched a little, trying not to let his insecurity show. The angel brushed the boy’s hair out of his eyes, pressing gently on the eyelids with his index and little finger. The angel closed his own eyes and the darkness returned, swirling around them.
The child’s eyes widened, struggling underneath the angels grip. His eyelids flashed open, the blue of his eyes drowned out by the darkness. He took a step back. The angel gripped his shoulder firmly, there was no escape. The wind picked up and the boy was consumed by a flurry of black robes and soft white hair. The strands of silken hair wrapped around the boy’s arms and legs, tearing away at the flesh. The pain was horrible. The angel held the boy tighter, his blood splattering the angel’s pale white skin and hair. The boy gasped. He shrieked the most bloodcurdling noise imaginable. An inhuman cry screaming for mercy, for pity. Screaming to drown out the pain.
Azrael let go. The boy fell to his knees. His pale skin covered in blood, his blonde hair dripping red. The angel stood over him, similarly drenched in the boy’s blood. A crimson pool began to form around his feet. The boy laid in the hot liquid, staring glassily up at the angel.
Azrael knelt down, “How does it feel?”
No response.
“It hurts. Doesn’t it?”
A slight whimper and a cough.
“I… you are dead now. Understand that that means you no longer have ties to your physical body.”
“I understand…” he wheezed.
“As you wish then,” the angel raised one arm up and made three circular gestures over the boy, “By the power of GOD, residing in me, I, Azrael, Angel of Death, of the Book of Lives, condemn this child, Ronan Quin Cervantes, to forever walk the Earth, in the Land of the Living, to never see peace… to never see Paradise.”
The world was gone. There was no longer darkness, no longer light, there was just nothing. Ronan fell, he was falling. He had been falling for years and would continue to fall for years to came. He hit the ground, every bone and organ in his body crashing and breaking, splattering the ground with gore. He was awake. Or was he? He felt nothing he just saw light. A sunset… filtering through the trees above him. He was alive? He was alive! He stood up, but their was nothing there. He looked down, but there was nothing but the soft loamy earth. Oh God, oh God! But God couldn’t help him now. He was nothing. He was just a thought, a figment of some demented imagination. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t find her. He was screaming. Or was he? He felt like he was screaming and that was what mattered.

Sundaloi: Fallen

Chapter 1

            Let go of all preconceived notions of death. Everything ever taught, dreamed, or believed about death holds only a candle light to the elusive truth. The complexity is even a mystery to Kurios’ left hand, the slave bound to Death.

            Death stands, alone, a ghost amongst men, on the corner of a New York City street. The buildings around him are the city’s organs and the streets are its arteries. A skyscraper is its lung and a club its mind. The flow of people and traffic are its blood. The honking horns, human voices, occasional siren, combine to form a heart beat. This city is brimming with life and only Death knows exactly how much.

            Light glistens off the streets. Yellow cabs, headlights, and the green and red of traffic lights reflect off pools of water. To Death, these colors, the very nature of life, are muted almost gray. The gentle beat of the Cities heart is distant and muffled. He is present but not on a material world in which this City thrives on.

            A black hoodie is pulled over his face so only his chin shows. His hands are buried deep into his blue jeans. Death dreads that he will have to leave the safety of the immaterial soon. The water will soak his jeans. And though his canvas shoes are surrounded with thick white rubber that covers his toes, they will not keep the water out.

            Noise echoes off the walls of an alley behind him. It pulls his focus from his shoes. The night does its best to shroud the narrow path in darkness. It’s not anxiousness that causes him to look, but more curiosity. There is something familiar about it.

            A taxi slows to a stop, just feet from him. Rain freckles the back seat window and prevents Death from seeing inside. He doesn’t need to see the passenger. The man’s beat of life gives him away. Life and it’s soon to be end sell the man out.

            The rain water trails down the window as the door swings open. A thick man of average height climbs out. He looks through the shadow of Death and into the black alley. Anxiety grips the man’s left eye with a twitch. He nervously tugs his pants up around his wide waste. Death knows this man. Derek Murkland is his name. He has been chosen by Kurios to die.

            The ring of a cell phone breaks Derek’s concentration. He shifts his weight so reach into his pocket after it. After a short search, he finds the phone, taps his finger on the face, and then holds it to his ear, “Hello.” His voice is deep.

            Derek scans around him as the voice on the other line mumbles. “I told you to send everything you’ve got and pack up for the night. There should be nothing left behind, nothing.”

           The mumble grows louder in obvious protest.

           “Henry, this was supposed to be your project.” Derek sighs, “Okay…okay…okay…I’m at the garage. Give me a half hour and I’ll be there.”

           Gratification rings from the cell then crackles and dies away. Derek’s face scrunches. He pulls the dead phone off his ear and holds it in front of his face. A few shakes fail to bring it to life. Derek bangs on it to no avail.

           Hades is about to spill over onto this man. The living breathing city around Derek has forgotten about him. He has become a dead cell to it and this is Death’s sign. He clears his throat, “Derek Murkland, it’s your time.”

           Derek’s eyes widen and he takes a step back. His hands wave to find something to brace. “Who? Who’s there?”

          “Death.” Reactions are everything but none of them surprise Death. Derek’s reaction is to run. His bulbous body disappears into the alley. This man does not understand what’s in store from him and never will in this life. Faster than a blink of an eye, Death is on the man’s heels.

          Derek’s lurches to the end and slams his weight against a steel door. Adrenaline and testosterone fills his head. It takes him a second or two to realize he needs his keycard to gain access. He reaches for his wallet and swipes it over a black box with a red light. A tiny bell rings and the door swings open. Derek barrels inside and slams it shut just before Death can follow him.

          The physical door would otherwise pose no threat to Death. However, he is a creature of theatrics. Giant white wings, of a celestial kind, spread out from his back. It only takes one powerful beat and he is in the air.

          High above the end of the alley, Death can see Derek’s destination. It’s the top of a parking garage. White lines stripe the gray concrete marking parking spots across the lot. There is only one car out at this time of night and it’s surprisingly yards away from the elevator door. Derek must have arrived too late for a good parking spot.

           Death touches down just a foot or two away from the beige town car. White wings retract into his back and like a cat playing with its food, he waits. He’s sure that Derek’s elevator is climbing upwards closer to the roof. Impatiently and in vain, Derek will struggle with his phone in hopes of calling for help.

            With a sigh, Death reaches behind his back and finds a short cylinder. He holds it at arm length and squeezes the side. The object of whips and clicks as it unfolds into a jagged stick. There is a half a second delay before a blade folds out and locks at the end turning the staff into a scythe.

           Pride courses through his chest. He remembers a time when all he had was a dagger. Though, in those times, he liked to be allusive. Now, there was a hunger to see people, talk to them, before he reaped them.

           The elevator rings and its doors slide open. A slumped over Derek grips his chest and tries to catch his breath. Death wonders if the poor man has spent this entire time struggling for air. Then, as if responding to a starter pistol, Derek rushes towards his car.

           Carefully, Death aligns himself with Derek. Step by step the barreling giant grows closer and at the very last second Death materializes. Derek slams into Death’s ridged body. The impact knocks him onto his rear but Death stands firm.

            All the red from Derek’s overheated run flushes from his face. His eyes grow even wider and his jaw rattles. Words can’t seem to escape his gawking mouth.

            Death grins, “You know Derek…you really shouldn’t run, at least not in your present condition. It’s not good for your heart.”

            Finally, Derek’s voice box crackles and words take form on his lips, “Who are you?”

            What a horrible cliché question. After thousands of years of revealing himself before people die, Death was sure one would be able to identify with the hooded stranger wielding a scythe. “Me?” Death points to his chest and bends over Derek, “I’ve already told you, I’m Death.  If you want a name: some have named me, and I do prefer, Azrael. Others call me Santa Muerte, Angel of Death, Left Hand of God, the last of us, the Grim Reaper, but I’d prefer you to just stick with Azrael.”

           Derek shivers. His heart knows the truth but his mind is trying to rationalize it away, “You’re crazy…”

          “Oh, if only I were. Then it would be implied that this very dire situation has many possible endings. The truth is that there is one ending, only one, and it is your death. I wouldn’t be here if it were something else.”

          Derek does his best to slide himself away. With every scoot, Azrael takes a step closer. “I don’t believe this…this can’t be…”

            “You know,” Azrael swings his scythe in Derek’s direction. “It’s interesting how the people of these last few decades find the truth so hard to believe. I mean here truth is standing before you,” Azrael straightens, “In all its glory and you still can’t believe in it.” Azrael taps the blade gently on the side of Derek’s head. “You all just think too much about it. It’s so black and white. I’m death, you can see me, and so I’m here to reap your soul.”

            “See, I don’t believe in your premise.” Derek shakes his head, “There is no heaven, no hell, and no soul.”

            Azrael sighs, “You can try to have a philosophical debate with me. Just know that the winner is the one left standing.” The scythe’s blade drags across the floor. Sparks fly then the blade ignites into one plume of fire. Azrael holds it in Derek’s face. “Explain this, oh great scientist, oh wizened philosopher. Want to see how long the fire will last?”

            “So then,” Either Derek believed or he decided to play along, “it’s my time to go?”

            “Bingo! Thank goodness you caught on. I would have hated to whip out the wings and prance around the roof tops like a fairy.”

            Derek rolls onto his side and tries get up. He shivers in pain, grabs his heart and rolls back on his rear. “God…” He hisses through his teeth, “Not now, I’ll do anything. Please, please, I’ll do anything…”

            “There’s no use bargaining.” Azrael tries to stabilize the man with his right foot. “It’s way too late for that now. The good news is that I’ve been sent here to give you a last chance for repentance.” He sticks his index finger in Derek’s contorted face. “You are going to die. No matter what you say. I can see the truth of things. I will know your hearts intent and your soul’s destination.”

            Something in Derek twists. “I’ve lived a good life. I have no regrets.”

            “See that’s what I’m saying!” Azrael leans in on his heel. “Be honest with yourself and do not tell me what you think I want to hear.” Azrael lifts his foot off of Derek and takes a step back. “Sure, your life started off good, most people’s do. You were born 1964 in a peaceful Iowa town. At seventeen you killed your younger brother. Your mom blamed your dad for the murder and Dad blamed her. One night’s drunken rage killed your mom and locked your dad in jail.”

            “How…” Derek heaved, “How do you know these things?”

            Azrael bends down, “Don’t interrupt. Your grandparents took sympathy on you, included you in their will and a quick house fire landed you sizable wealth. You started out by pimping out girls, some of whom were underage, and later took over a large drug cartel. You are said to be the only man who can smuggle anything into the US.”

            A noise from the elevator distracts them. There is no ring, no rush of its motion. It’s an odd noise that Azrael recognizes as the same from the alley. “Well…I’ve rambled too long as it is.” Azrael clears his throat. “Your sins stretch from here to the moon and back. If Dickens was right, you’d have a laborious chain around your neck.”

            “Why me? Why now?” Derek locks his eyes on Azrael as if he can get any sympathy from Death.

            Azrael shrugs, “I don’t know. Kurios tells me to go, to wait, and to reap. I do as I’m told, no questions asked.” His lower lip lifts above his upper. “I don’t even know anything about you until I see you. Admittedly, all your sins make it easy to justify your death.”

            Derek winces in pain. “You don’t have to, can’t you chose for yourself?”

            The thought rocks Azrael. It had crossed his mind once a very long time ago. Then, as quickly as it came it was gone. Azrael nods his head yes, “I could just walk away. Kurios gives us that option with hell as our consequence if we should die. No offense, but I don’t want to go to hell for a scumbag like you.”

            “You can rot in hell.” Derek sneers, “I don’t care who you are you can…”

            Azrael looses his playfulness and raises his voice over Derek’s. “See, that’s the sad thing about it. I’m not the one going to rot in hell.” Azrael leans his body back. He readies his scythe with the blade still on fire. “You are.”

           Like a farmer harvesting wheat, Azrael swings the scythe horizontally into Derek’s chest. As the blade cuts, flames leap from its tip and rolls into Derek’s mouth and nostrils. The cut turns to ash and disappears from Derek’s chest.

            As Azrael towers over Derek’s lifeless body, one word echoes through his mind, “choice”. He does have a choice. All angels do. He has reaped the souls of many who where banished to this earth. For some reason, he had given it little thought. The last time he could remember even considering it was in Rome when Diana insisted on it.

            The noise returns and interrupts his train of thought. All of his attention turns to the elevator. Light, as if it were trying to pierce the heat of a flame, folds and bends around the elevator. Azrael knows what this means and he readies his scythe.

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING, TWO-FACE?!

Okay, I won’t lie: as a Batman purist, I couldn’t stand Battle for the Cowl or anything that came with it. Not the constant presence of Damien Wayne, not even the Black Casebook. Nothing.

I’ve never liked opening the world of the Dark Knight to too much ridiculousness or soap-opera style death and undeath (except in the case of Ra’s al Ghul, of course). But despite my feelings on the matter, Morrison continues to push ahead with all this and DC Direct has released the first series of non-Batman Batman figures under the name BATMAN REBORN, where everyone who isn’t Bruce Wayne gets a shot at being Gotham’s protector.

Sigh. At least the sculpts are done well. They all stand about 6 inches tall and come with relevant accessories. They do not, of course, come with the 3-D glasses that the Harvey-Dent-as-Batman costume would seem to demand!

Personally, I tend to think that when former Robin/Spoiler Stephanie Brown’s action figure look is the least garish of all the options, it’s time to bring back Bruce! …Or maybe just Darwyn Cooke. He could fix this.

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1939

El Extraño Caso del Sindicato Químico

Detective Comics 027 [Mirror] [Mirror (Inglés)] [Portada]

1956

El Bandido que Jugó con Batman

Detective Comics 232 [Mirror] [Portada]

1965

La Trampa Mortal Ineludible de Batman

Detective Comica 346 [Mirror] [Portada]

1966

¡Bruce Wayne Desenmascara a Batman!

Detective Comicas 357 [Mirror] [Portada]

1967

¡El Debut del Millón de Dólares de Batgirl!

Detective Comics 359 [Mirror] [Portada]

La Doble Trampa Mortal del Duo Dinámico

Detective Comics 361 [Mirror] [Portada]

¡La Casa del Joker Construida!

Detective Comics 365 [Mirror] [Portada]

1968

El Problema de la Prisión Puzzle del Acertijo

Detective Comics 377 [Mirror] [Portada]

Ahogar a Uno, ¡Uno Más para Hundir!

Detective Comics 381 [Mirror] [Portada]

1972

La Pista de las Caras Falsas

Detective Comics 430 [Mirror] [Portada]

1976

¡El Secreto Mejor Guardado en Ciudad Gótica!

Detective Comics 465 [Mirror] [Portada]

1978

La Señal del Joker

Detective Comics 476 [Mirror] [Portada]

1981

Los 6 Días del Espantapájaros

Detective Comics 503 [Mirror] [Portada]

1982

Colegio para Asesinos

Detective Comics 515 [Mirror] [Portada]

El Monstruo en el Espejo

Detective Comics 517 [Mirror] [Portada]

El Contrato Millonario

Detective Comics 518 [Mirror] [Portada]

1987

Batman Año Dos

Detective Comics 575 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 576 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 577 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 578 [Mirror] [Portada]

El Crimen del Doctor Crimson

Detective Comics 579 [Mirror] [Portada]

Doble Imagen

Detective Comics 580 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 581 [Mirror] [Portada]

1988

Millenium

Detective Comics 582 [Mirror] [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

Fiebre

Detective Comics 583 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 584 [Mirror] [Portada]

El Ratcatcher

Detective Comics 585 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 586 [Mirror] [Portada]

Gente Nocturna

Detective Comics 587 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 588 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 589 [Mirror] [Portada]

Un Hombre Murciélago Americano en Londres

Detective Comics 590 [Mirror] [Portada]

Aborigen

Detective Comics 591 [Mirror] [Portada]

El Miedo

Detective Comics 592 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 593 [Mirror] [Portada]

Fábulas

Detective Comics Anual 1 [Portada]

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1989

Ectasy

Detective Comics 594 [Mirror] [Portada]

Nuestro Hombre en la Habana (Tie in Invasión)

Detective Comics 595 [Mirror] [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

Video Nasties

Detective Comics 596 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 597 [Mirror] [Portada]

Justicia Ciega

Detective Comics 598 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 599 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 600 [Mirror] [Portada]

Tulpa

Detective Comics 601 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 602 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 603 [Mirror] [Portada]

El Equipo de Barro

Detective Comics 604 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 605 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 606 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 607 [Mirror] [Portada]

Anarky en Gotham

Detective Comics 608 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 609 [Mirror] [Portada]

1990

Nieve y Hielo

Detective Comics 610 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 611 [Mirror] [Portada]

Gatos

Detective Comics 612 [Mirror] [Portada]

Basura

Detective Comics 613 [Mirror] [Portada]

Calle de Demonioz

Detective Comics 614 [Mirror] [Portada]

El Affaire del Pingüino

Detective Comics 615 [Mirror] [Portada]

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El Asesino de la Piedra

Detective Comics 616 [Portada]

Un Choque de Símbolos

Detective Comics 617 [Mirror] [Portada]

Rito de Callejón

Detective Comics 618 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 619 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 620 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 621 [Mirror] [Portada]

Génesis Oscura

Detective Comics 622 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 623 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 624 [Mirror] [Portada]

1991

¡Matadero!

Detective Comics 625 [Portada]

Regresar al Electrocutioner

Detective Comics 626 [Portada]

El Caso del Sindicato Químico

Detective Comics 627 [Mirror] [Portada]

Corazones

Detective Comics 628 [Portada]

El Césped Hambriento

Detective Comics 629 [Mirror] [Portada]

Y el Verdugo Usaba Tacones Stiletto

Detective Comics 630 [Mirrror] [Portada]

El Golem de Gotham

Detective Comics 631 [Portada]

Detective Comics 632 [Portada]

Crisis de Identidad

Detective Comics 633 [Portada]

El Tercer Hombre

Detective Comics 634 [Portada]

Juegos de Mente

Detective Comics 635 [Portada]

Control de la Mente

Detective Comics 636 [Portada]

Control Anormal

Detective Comics 637 [Portada]

La Bomba

Detective Comics 638 [Portada]

La Raíz Idiota

Detective Comics 639 [Mirror] [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

Armageddon 2001

Detective Comics Anual 4 [Mirror] [Portada]

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1992

La Raíz Idiota (continuación)

Detective Comics 640 [Mirror] [Portada]

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Destructor

Detective Comics 641 [Mirror] [Portada]

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El Regreso de Scarface

Detective Comics 642 [Mirror] [Portada]

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La Librería de Almas

Detective Comics 643 [Mirror] [Portada]

Ciudad Eléctrica

Detective Comics 644 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 645 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 646 [Mirror] [Portada]

Investigando la Mente

Detective Comics 647 [Portada]

El Castigo Justo para el Crimen

Detective Comics 648 [Portada]

Malled

Detective Comics 649 [Portada]

El Dragón

Detective Comics 650 [Portada]

Una Bala para Bullock

Detective Comics 651 [Portada]

¡Más Allá de la Ley!

Detective Comics 652 [Portada]

Detective Comics 653 [Portada]

Dios de La Batalla

Detective Comics 654 [Portada]

Eclipso

Detective Comics Anul 5 [Mirror] [Portada]

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1993

El Yunque de Guerra

Detective Comics 655 [Portada]

Sitiada

Detective Comics 656 [Portada]

Detective Comics 657 [Portada]

Detective Comics 658 [Portada]

Knightfall

Detective Comics 659 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 660 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 661 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 662 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 663 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 664 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 665 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 666 [Mirror] [Portada]

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Knightquest La Cruzada

Detective Comics 667 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 668 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 669 [Mirror] [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

Detective Comics Anual 6 [Portada]

1994

Knightquest La Cruzada (Continuación)

Detective Comics 670 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 671 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 672 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 673 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 674 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 675 [Mirror] [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

Knightsend

Detective Comics 676 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 677 [Mirror] [Portada]

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Hora Cero

Detective Comics 678 [Mirror] [Mirror0] [Portada]

Detective Comics 0 [Mirror] [Portada]

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Hijo Pródigo

Detective Comics 679 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 680 [Mirror] [Portada]

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Anual Elseworld

Detective Comics Anual 7 [Portada]

1995

Hijo Pródigo (continuación)

Detective Comics 681 [Mirror] [Portada]

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Troika

Detective Comics 682 [Mirror] [Portada]

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Probabilidades en Contra

Detective Comics 683 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 684 [Mirror] [Portada]

Guerra de Dragones

Detective Comics 685 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 686 [Mirror] [Portada]

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Marea Roja

Detective Comics 687 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 688 [Mirror] [Portada]

El Corazón Ardiente

Detective Comics 689 [Mirror] [Portada]

Amor Ardiente

Detective Comics 690 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 691 [Portada]

Detective Comics 692 [Portada]

Año Uno: Múltiples Preguntas del Misterio

Detective Comics Anual 8 [Mirror] [Portada]

1996

Shock Sistémico

Detective Comics 693 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 694 [Mirror] [Portada]

Contagio

Detective Comics 695 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 696 [Mirror] [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

Aldaba

Detective Comics 697 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 698 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 699 [Mirror] [Portada]

Legado

Detective Comics 700 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 701 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 702 [Mirror] [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

La Noche Final

Detective Comics 703 [Mirror] [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

Detective Comics 704 [Portada]

Detective Comics Anual 9 [Mirror] [Portada]

1997

1998

Metal Salvaje

Detective Comics 717 [Portada]

Punto de Impacto

Detective Comics 718 [Portada]

Cataclismo

Detective Comics 719 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 720 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 721 [Mirror] [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

Aftershock

Detective Comics 722 [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

La Hermandad del Puño

Detective Comics 723 [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

Aftershock (continuación)

Detective Comics 724 [Portada]

Detective Comics 725 [Portada]

Detective Comics 726 [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

Rumbo a Tierra de Nadie

Detective Comics 727 [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

1999

Rumbo a Tierra de Nadie (continuación)

Detective Comics 728 [Portada]

Detective Comics 729 [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

Tierra de Nadie

Detective Comics 730 [Portada]

Detective Comics 731 [Portada]

Detective Comics 732 [Portada]

Detective Comics 733 [Portada]

Detective Comics 734 [Portada]

Detective Comics 735 [Portada]

Detective Comics 736 [Portada]

Detective Comics 737 [Portada]

Detective Comics 738 [Portada]

Detective Comics 739 [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

2000

Tierra de Nadie (continuación)

Detective Comics 740 [Portada]

Detective Comics 741 [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

El Honorable Muerto

Detective Comics 742 [Portada]

Evolución

Detective Comics 743 [Portada]

Detective Comics 744 [Portada]

Detective Comics 745 [Portada]

Detective Comics 746 [Portada]

Feliz Cumpleaños a Ti

Detective Comics 747 [Portada]

Renovación Urbana

Detective Comics 748 [Portada]

Detective Comics 749 [Portada]

Dependencia

Detective Comics 750 [Portada]

Un Paseo en El Parque

Detective Comics 751 [Portada]

2001

Un Paseo en El Parque (continuación)

Detective Comics 752 [Portada]

Detective Comics 753 [Portada]

Oficial Caído

Detective Comics 754 [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

Aquí está el Sombrerero, ¿Cuál es tu Prisa?

Detective Comics 755 [Portada]

El Señor del Anillo

Detective Comics 756 [Portada]

Tiempo de Aire

Detective Comics 757 [Portada]

Sin Saberlo

Detective Comics 758 [Portada]

Tras la Pista de Catwoman

Detective Comics 759 [Portada]

Detective Comics 760 [Portada]

Tras la Pista de Catwoman

Detective Comics 761 [Portada]

Detective Comics 762 [Portada]

Joker Last Laugh

Voces Perdidas

Detective Comics 763 [Portada]

Joker Las Laugh completa aquí

2002

Voces Perdidas (continuación)

Detective Comics 764 [Portada]

Detective Comics 765 [Portada]

Bruce Wayne ¿Asesino?

Detective Comics 766 [Portada]

Detective Comics 767 [Portada]

Bruce Wayne ¿Asesino? completa aquí

Pureza

Detective Comics 768 [Portada]

Bruce Wayne Fugitivo

Detective Comics 769 [Portada]

Detective Comics 770 [Portada]

Detective Comics 771 [Portada]

Detective Comics 772 [Portada]

Bruce Wayne Fugitivo completa aquí

Expiación

Detective Comics 773 [Portada]

Detective Comics 774 [Portada]

Detective Comics 775 [Portada]

2003

Huérfano

Detective Comics 776 [Portada]

Dead Reckoning

Detective Comics 777 [Portada]

Detective Comics 778 [Portada]

Detective Comics 779 [Portada]

Detective Comics 780 [Portada]

Detective Comics 781 [Portada]

Detective Comics 782 [Portada]

Detective Comics 783 [Portada]

Detective Comics 784 [Portada]

Detective Comics 785 [Portada]

Detective Comics 786 [Portada]

Mimsy were the Borogoves

Detective Comics 787 [Portada]

2004

La Piedra de Randori

Detective Comics 788 [Portada]

Detective Comics 789 [Portada]

Escarificación

Detective Comics 790 [Portada]

El Sustito

Detective Comics 791 [Portada]

Detective Comics 792 [Portada]

Detective Comics 793 [Portada]

Monstruos de la Putrefacción

Detective Comics 794 [Portada]

Piedra Pulida

Detective Comics 795 [Portada]

Piedra Pulida

Detective Comics 796 [Portada]

Juegos de Guerra

Detective Comics 797 [Portada]

Detective Comics 798 [Portada]

Detective Comics 799 [Portada]

Historia completa aquí

2005

Ciudad del Crimen

Detective Comics 800 [Portada]

The Barker

Detective Comics 801 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 802 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 803 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 804 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 805 [Mirror] [Portada]

Regnum Defende

Detective Comics 806 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 807 [Mirror] [Portada]

Debajo de la Bestia

Detective Comics 808 [Mirror] [Portada]

Crímenes de Guerra

Debajo de la Bestia

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Detective Comics 810 [Portada]

Crímenes de Guerra completa aquí

Ciudad del Crimen (continuación)

Detective Comics 811 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 812 [Mirror] [Portada]

2006

Ciudad del Crimen (continuación)

Detective Comics 813 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 814 [Mirror] [Portada]

Víctimas

Detective Comics 815 [Portada]

Detective Comics 816 [Portada]

Un Año Después

Cara a Cara

Detective Comics 817 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 818 [Mirror] [Portada]

Detective Comics 819 [Mirror] [Portada]

Cara a Cara

Detective Comics 820 [Mirror] [Portada]

La Gente Hermosa

Detective Comics 821 [Portada]

E. Nigma Detective Consultor

Detective Comics 822 [Portada]

Acechados

Detective Comics 823 [Portada]

La Noche del Pingüino

Detective Comics 824 [Portada]

2007

¡El Regreso del Dr. Phosphorus!

Detective Comics 825 [Portada]

Paseo Mortal

Detective Comics 826 [Portada]

Charla Doble

Detective Comics 827 [Portada]

Mordida de Tiburón

Detective Comics 828 [Portada]

Asedio

Detective Comics 829 [Portada]

Detective Comics 830 [Portada]

Algo Como una Familia

Detective Comics 831 [Portada]

Triaje

Detective Comics 832 [Portada]

Confianza

Detective Comics 833 [Portada]

Detective Comics 834 [Portada]

Terror Absoluto

Detective Comics 835 [Portada]

Detective Comics 836 [Portada]

Honor Entre Ladrones

Detective Comics 837 [Portada]

]]> http://sonsofisis.wordpress.com/2009/11/21/grocery-shopping-angels/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:08:01 +0000 Sherwin http://sonsofisis.wordpress.com/2009/11/21/grocery-shopping-angels/

Someone was complaining, with much disgust – “How can the archangels become like servants to do the bidding of these so-called healers who are human?”

Oh my. Whatever gave people that impression.

We call upon our guardian angels, our spirit guides, not to do our bidding, but to (hopefully) impart wisdom and guidance to our everyday lives. As Healers, we also call upon the blessings of these higher evolved energy pools to guide us in healing. Sometimes the healing process can be accelerated when we can see the ’cause’ of the illness. And sometimes – if the Universe or karmic time permits – our guides and angels can help remove certain obstacles or illnesses when the timing is just right. That being said, when the soul-lesson has been learned.

I do not believe we can ‘instruct’ our angels and guides to do us little favors. Nor is it right. Kinda disrespectful. At most, we can only pray that our angels and guides lend a helping hand in our times of need. And only when we truly deserve it! The idea of ‘I need something so I shall pray for it’ is not so appropriate, I think. Hence I always say:

“Find God not when we are sad or in need. Find God when we are happy and not in need. Only then can we truly appreciate what we have ALREADY been given!”

Hope you get my drift.

I am not highly attuned to angelic energy and presence. I have only ‘met’ a few in my healing work – Archangel Michael with the fiery wings, and Archangel Azreal who isn’t fond of talking. I work more closely with the animal spirit guides instead, for the past few years.

I did have a brush with Archangel Raphael last year, about the same time Buddha Amoghasiddhi ‘appeared’ to me. It was only recently that I finally realized what the both were trying to tell me – walk towards the path of Healing without fear!

So here I am

Pojęcie trollingu na lewym brzegu Buga jest przekręcone bez pojęcia i przyjmowane wg wtórnej definicji skandynawskiej, choć każdy internauta spoza neostrady wie, że pierwotne znaczenie trollingu wywodzi się z wędkarstwa.

Lost in translation – jak zwykle nad Wisełką

Troll wg pl to taki brzydki krasnal he he he

Tymczasem chodzi tu o określenie bliższe definicji podstępnego ketmana w rodzaju wodzianny, co to udaje niewiniątko, a cichaczem promuje TW “Must” i atakuje pobłogosławiony portal Frondy. Klasycznym trollem salonu 24 jest biedronka.

Troll to zamaskowany prowokator

Trolling na zachód od Odry pojmowany jest jako zastawianie erystycznych pułapek na zbłąkane owieczki, co to jeszcze linka nie potrafią sklecić samodzielnie.

W błogosferze RP pod trolling podciąga się zwykłe prostackie wypowiedzi okraszone mięsem. Prostactwo to prostactwo. Trolling natomiast jest łapaniem na przynętę. Aktualnym mistrzem Polski w trollingu jest Matka Kurka. Niektórzy uważają błędnie, iż chodzi o Wielguckiego. Wielgucki jest tylko marnym webmajstrem u Maleszki, któren nie potrafi marnego linka sklecić.

W zaściankowym S24 dobrym przykładem trollingu jest zsynchronizowana akcja demokratury pod dowództwem Wodzianny.

Dobrym przykładem prostactwa jest tam natomiast FYM w swoich gumofilcach, choć jako orędownik radyja i konkordatu jest on jednocześnie trollem czarnych.

Wszyscy znamy uskrzydlony cień Azraela

Zwyczajny funkcjonariusz demokratury postmagdaleńskiej. Troll celebryt lansowany przez Onet   macierzyste blogowisko Jankego.

Definicje dla trollingu
	troll: wędkarstwo przez rysunek zanęcone line przez wodywordnetweb.princeton.edu / perl / webwn - Definicja w kontekście

Wyniki wyszukiwania

1. Troll (Internet) – Wikipedia, wolna encyklopedia

   Te rodzaje trolli był Shibboleth identyfikacji wewnętrznych grupy. Ta definicja w trollingu, znacznie węższy niż nowoczesne rozumienie …

    

   Etymologia – Opublikowano badania Trolling – troll Concern – Troll witryn

   en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Internet_troll – Cached —

2. Urban Dictionary: trolling

   30 kwietnia 2009 … trolling – 32 definicje – Być ukłucie w Internecie, ponieważ możesz. Zazwyczaj odblokowania jednego lub więcej cyniczny i sarkastyczny uwagi na …www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term =trolling – Cached —

3. trolling – definicja z trolling przez Free Online Dictionary …

   a. Do połowów w końcu zanęcone zgodnie z tyłu powoli ruchu łodzi. b. Dla ryb w końcu zanęcone line: troll jezioro na bas. …www.thefreedictionary.com/trolling – Cached —

4. troll – Definicja z Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
   	3 listopada 2009troll – Definicja z Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary Strona nasze witryny Unabridged Dictionary Learner’s Dictionarywww.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trolling – Podobne filmy wideo —

5. Trolling Definition z PC Magazine Encyklopedia

   Definicja trollingu z PC Magazine Encyklopedia.www.pcmag.com> Rozwiązania> Encyklopedia – Cached —

6. Trolling Pojęcie | Definicja z Trolling na Dictionary.com

   1. śpiewać lub wypowiedzieć w pełnym głosem toczenia. 2. śpiewać w sposób okrągłe lub połowu. 3. do połowów lub z linii ruchu, pracy linię w górę lub …dictionary.reference.com / browse /trolling – Cached —

7. Trolling/ Baiting / Flaming – Hacker Definition

   Trolling/ Baiting / Flaming. Trolling/ Baiting / Flaming definicji – hakerów. Obraźliwych sformułowań, które występuje w internetowych oraz narusza online etykiety. …www.yourdictionary.com/hacker/trolling-przynęty-flaming - Cached —

8. * Trolling – (wędkowanie): Definicja

   Następnie upuścić przynęty lub przynęty tyłu około 100 metrów za łodzią po 25 – 40 –Funt trolling strój. Następnie owinąć gumką pięć razy wokół linii, …en.mimi.hu / Wędkarstwo /trolling. html - Cached —

9. Jaka jest definicja z Internetu troll?

   Ktoś miał wielkie definicja ostatniego tygodnia internet troll ale zgubiłem link do niego.askville.amazon.com /definicja-internet-troll / AnswerViewer.do? … – Cached —

10. troll

    troll n: (skandynawskiego folkloru) nadprzyrodzone istoty (albo karzeł i olbrzym), który ma żyć … Definicja: troll. Wyszukiwanie stron dla …dictionary.die.net /troll – Cached –

Band: Azrael

Did you know that there’s a lot of Blackest Night comics that I haven’t reviewed?  I mean… really.  I guess it’s time to play catch up on our fun mega event of DC.

There’s a lot of zombie bashing both positive and negative after the click.

So, the first batch of miniseries tying around the Blackest Night event ended within the last couple of weeks.

I have to say that really… it wasn’t too much of a success.  Sure, some parts were nice like seeing Deadman for a bit… and then not… and then having Dove suddenly becoming a surprising (even to herself) player in the event.  But, overall, it just didn’t all flow to me.  I think part of it was just that it was all too ridiculous for me. 

Batman was a big stupid stupid fest of stupidness in the last issue where The Flying Graysons and Tim Drake’s dad recreate their deaths in an incredibly elaborate way to get some sort of emotions out of the Big B and Red R.  Then, the whole Mr. Freeze gun/last ditch effort to hide themselves from the Black Lanterns was way too contrived.

Superman was just a big brawl fest.  Plus, the characters were pretty flat.  Sure, it was nice to learn that Superboy’s arm could have fear in it, and to see the Psycho Pirate back (and then his semi-useful mask used as a tool against the Black Lanterns… which crumbles in two frames which took a lot of rereading to figure out).  Overall, the miniseries just accomplished me feeling really bad for Smallville.  Poor one-dimensional stereotypical hickish townsfolk…

Titans was a love affair, hate affair, okay affair.  Part of me could see past the T&A fest when the story was okay, but then the other part of me was super offended.  I like Dove’s new role, but that’s about it.  Plus, it would have been cool to see Raven in this… but she wasn’t there.  Oh well.

Overall, the first batch of miniseries get an okay out of me… not really satisfying but not really terrible… they just don’t equal the power in the main feature.

The next grouping is the first two weeks of the ring promotional deal!  You know, when this was first announced (you’d get a promotional plastic ring with one of the Lantern Corps symbol on it for buying a certain comic) I thought it was a great marketing ploy but I wasn’t too excited to buy some comics that I wouldn’t normally get.  Well, each one of them proved me wrong in their own little ways.

Doom Patrol #4:

Now, I’ve been meaning to read some of the classic Doom Patrol stories, but I just haven’t had the time.  I know there’s a giant mythos behind the group, but I can honestly say that I don’t really know any of it.  Now, all of the promotional books (thus far) have included a memory download for the Black Lantern ring to sort of bring new readers (as in the people just buying the comic for the ring) up to speed.  I don’t really feel that this one completely accomplished that unlike the other two.  Sure, it definitely helped a hell of a lot, but not completely.  Part of me liked the art in this comic and part of me didn’t… It looked good in some instances (most notably how the Black Lanterns have sort of a mummified look to them and the representation of emotions through the Black Lantern’s eyes now used as a common device in all of the Blackest Night books), but bads in others (I didn’t too much like the inking or coloring, really).  The reveal at the end was super interesting with Clifford Steele and has me considering picking up the next issue.  To tell you the truth, I didn’t read the back up feature… I really like J.M. Dematteis especially after Savior 28, but to have a back up feature and then a preview for an upcoming book sort of steals away from the flow.

R.E.B.E.L.S. #10

First things first, I really loved the art in this comic.  The highly stylized use of a thin line and the super cool inking with dashed lines to show texture (especially on faces) was just way too neat.  The facial expressions are over the top and yet spot on.

Anyway, this issue follows Braniac 2 and 3… I knew a little bit about the different Braniacs, but the Memory Download beginning was a nice refresher.  My question was why does Vril Drox (Braniac 2) still hang out with a giant posse (including Kanjar Ro) when he has robots to do his shit for him?

Oh well, the reveal at the end was priceless and shows that something done before in the Sinestro Corps War can be done again and still have a kickass effect.

Plus, Black Lantern Harbinger’s in here… and she’s not that whiny!

I’m definitely considering picking up the next one, and this review’s sort of sparse because the comic mostly speaks for itself.

Booster Gold #26

Now, I have a love/hate relationship with Booster Gold… He’s a showboat who’s now on the right track, but that still doesn’t forgive for his past mistakes of being sort of a stupid character.  Like everyone else (mostly), I feel like 52 definitely vindicated him a lot (which makes me think… are we ever going to see how Animal Man is dealing with Blackest Night?), but there’s still some problems in his comic now.

Despite having an unbalanced relationship with Booster Gold, I’ve always liked Ted Kord Blue Beetle… mostly because the first issue I read with him in it was Infinite Crisis and him being all badass with Max Lord and getting his brains blown out.

Overall, I came out of reading this comic saying aloud “Holy shit! That was a lot better than I thought it would be.”

From Booster revisiting one of his failures to the relationship with the new Blue Beetle, I really thought this issue excelled, and there’s no doubt that I will buy the next comic.  Part of the reason this comic works so well is that we know Ted Kord’s going to come bursting in at some point, but Dan Jurgens holds it off until the end and instead works on developing/reminding the reader of Booster and BBs friendship and characters.  That makes the sickening reveal at the end so much better.

Does anyone else find that Ted Kord’s nose looks really weird and a little uncharacteristic of him in life despite being all decaying…?  Also, couldn’t they have made his costume on the head sink in just a bit to represent the head wound…?

Nevertheless,

Our next grouping is the actual main event players a la Green Lantern, Corps, and Blackest Night.

Green Lantern #47

You know, I really don’t care much about Hal Jordan anymore.  Sure, he’s cool, but he’s just a Batman in space with a ring…  The stars of this book are the other players: Sinestro, Larfleeze, and Atrocitus.  Holy shit do I still want them to stay around when this is all over.  They’ve had such little screen time (excluding Sinestro) that I really want them to play out for much longer.  Hell!  Atrocitus gets his heart ripped out by the Inversions (who look super neat) like everyone else and ends up still living because he doesn’t need a heart because he’s such a badass.

Too bad Abin Sur doesn’t stay around for a bit longer… I guess he’s more important for the ideal and the standard of being the best Green Lantern ever than actually an interesting character.

Unfortunately, this comic doesn’t accomplish what it’s meant to, and that’s making Green Lantern seem interesting… it’s a bit of a sign of bad tidings when your lead character’s outshined by others.

Still, a respectable:

Green Lantern Corps #42

Stuff on Oa increases the shit up… there’s a lot of characters and I feel like only Kilowog gets a decent amount of treatment.

Sure, Kyle Rayner’s sacrifice at the end is pretty neat, but after just seeing something similar with Sodom Yat, the effect is lessened.  Plus, in the whole Origins and Omens thing that came out to get people excited about Blackest Night, Kyle was all painting a mural… So, I know that this isn’t going to last.

I don’t know… this comic just sort of felt like a placeholder in the event to find out what’s happening elsewhere.  Hmm…

Blackest Night #4:

Do the Justice League villains on the front of this cover really play much of a role on the inside… no… but they look cool.

Wow, but isn’t the part in Gotham so neat… Scarecrow just walking around and stares down Black Lantern Azrael (who looks super cool with that hood even if it’s a bit like Black Lantern Hawk).

Then, Luthor’s being a badass.

Then, Mera is suddenly a power player with the Flash and Atom… the new Big Three.  Then, Jason fights Ronnie and makes me want to see what happens.  Then, Atom gives a pep talk that sort of back fires (sadly) but rips a guy apart.

Then, in two pages in creepy near silence, Nekron rises… as does all of Coast City.

Haz click en la imagen para verla al detalle

Este mes, DC Comics estará lanzando al mercado Azrael # 1, en donde se retomará el personaje que causó sensación en su momento, pero ahora completamente reinventado y adaptado a esta época, o cuando menos es el reclamo. Este nuevo Angel de la Muerte es un individuo llamado Michael Lane, completamente separado de la orden de San Dumas y con recursos mucho más limitados, a pesar de que él personalmente es alguien pudiente. La historia no parece en particular muy prometedora, pero tendremos que ver como se desarrolla.

by Fabian Nicieza (writer), Ramon Bachs (art), John Stanisci (Inks), JD Smith (colors)

The Story: A standard mugging leads new Gotham vigilante Azrael to a revenge plot involving conspiracy and abuse in the Catholic church.  Meanwhile, the G.C.P.D. discover just exactly who this mysterious new hero is and how he came to be.

What’s Good: The general consensus as to criticism of DC’s recently launched Red Robin series was that Ramon Bachs was all wrong for the art chores.  When it was announced he’d be moving over to Azrael, many, including me, breathed a sigh of relief and looked forward to what he’d offer on a subject matter that seemed to be more suited to his style.  Well, here we are and there’s good news and bad news.  The good news is that I enjoyed the art in this issue.  I was quite surprised to find a somewhat unconventional-looking book in my hands that really stood out amongst my weekly purchases.  The bad news is that I don’t think Bachs had anything to do with that.

Colorist JD Smith uses a palette that really gives this issue a unique look.  His colors are quite bold and, to be honest, border on being garish and muddy, but I found myself taking a liking to them.  Perhaps it was the fact that they weren’t perfectly balanced out, but I appreciated the weight they gave to the pages.  A lot of credit also goes to Inker Stanisci who seems to be a better fit for Bach’s pencils.  He brings a thicker, bolder line to the artwork that adds a nice feel to the overall presentation.  All in all, this art team seems to be a much better fit than Bach’s previous partner, digital inker and colorist Guy Major.

Writer Nicieza decides to tackle the hot-button issue of molestation by Catholic, but he never seems to exploit it.  The final confrontation between our hero and his quarry was unpredictable and refreshing, yet it made total sense considering the code of ethics Azrael himself follows.  Also, the cliffhanger was unexpected and did a good job of making me curious enough to at least consider giving the next issue a shot.

What’s Not So Good: Despite my appreciation of the artwork, I have to admit that it seems to be at odds with the material.  There’s a definite Indy vibe to it that might not sit too well with readers expecting a particular mood when they pick up a Bat-title.  Don’t get me wrong, that offbeat aspect of it is what I enjoyed, but it at times does seem contrary to the story it’s telling.  This issue has a wonderful cover by artist Jock, but once again, it’s in a completely different style than the interiors, which is misleading.

Bachs is also not very good at depicting exciting action sequences.  I didn’t feel any sort of movement come through as Azrael battles the bad guys; the panels just sit there on the page.  He also makes the title character look strangely short and squat here, which isn’t the biggest deal, but does serve to distract a bit.

While the artwork has it share of problems, the writing is just as flawed, as Nicieza bombards us with too many story-lines.  By page three we’re already following three to four different plot threads, most of them flashbacks. As a result, we’re never given the opportunity to become invested in any of them. The Azrael: Death’s Dark Knight miniseries released earlier this year and the story presented in this years Batman & Detective Comics Annuals (which serve as a sort of lead-in to this issue) all did a better job of introducing the character and making him interesting than this #1 issue did, which is disappointing.

Nitpicker alert! The script never gives the names of the detectives investigating the Azrael case, which is presented as one of the main narratives. Being a Bat-fan, and having read the aforementioned 2-part “prologue” in the annuals, I’m pretty sure that they’re intended to be Harvey Bullock and Josie Mac.  However, I shouldn’t have to guess at something like that considering this is a #1 issue that should be new reader-friendly.

Conclusion: With an atypical art style that both impresses and seems at odds with its material, and with a script that firmly plants itself in the “meh” category, Azrael #1 falls short of what an introductory issue should be.

Grade: D +

-Joe Lopez

I didn’t read the two Annuals leading up to this launch, despite the last one featuring the Question and Huntress, two characters for whom I share more than a passing fondness.  The extremely heightened price tag and my so-so interest in Azrael, combined with the fact that I prefer a tongue-in-cheek Nicieza to a grim-n-gritty one, made them fairly skippable.  But Nicieza does still have some good will with me, and the Batman-family relaunches have been fairly interesting to follow, so it seemed worthwhile to give the main title a shot.

Nicieza’s writing here seems to be all over the place.  There are some aspects of it that are stellar, including a bizarre, memorable cliffhanger, and there are some that are downright ridiculous, like the fact that the cliffhanger happens ‘6 months, 6 days, and 6 hours’ after… I’m assuming that ‘Now’ always refers to the start of the issue, but it is nonetheless a clumsy device used by a writer trying to be too cute by half.  The bulk of the issue falls somewhere in between those two extremes, with a quickly-solved mystery that largely functions as an examination of how Azrael will operate and a very brief introduction to Azrael’s seemingly bland supporting cast.

Ramon Bachs is almost certain to be the subject of a great deal of argument amongst the book’s readers.  His broad, cartoonish style hurts some of the books slower moments, and give some of the action sequences a fairly stiff, posed quality that takes away from the excitement.  However, alongside inker John Stanisci and colorist JD Smith, he also manages to create some genuinely memorable images, whether it’s the single, bright red band on Bullock’s hat in the otherwise sepia-colored flash forwards or the crackling afterglow of Azrael’s swords.

Overall, Azrael is a strange book.  An awkwardly-conceived religious warrior with a pair of magic swords, he doesn’t seem to fit Gotham’s image terribly well, and a lack of consistency may turn off potentially interested readers.  Nicieza appears to have some solid ideas as to where he wants to take the book, but he offers little evidence that he’ll be able to consistently keep the book interesting long enough to pull an audience with him.

Grade: C

- Cal Cleary

Comic’s Wednesday was just wet and miserable here in Denton. I was really hyped up about the releases today so I left early to eat at IHOP. Then I made my way over to the Courthouse Square where my favorite comic’s retailer, Keith’s Comics, is located.

It opens at exactly 12pm on Wednesday’s and since I have dropped out and become unemployed I have all the Nerdy Bum Officiale time to arrive right when the key hits the lock, effectively also making myself look like a huge creeper.

Of course on the cold wet day I arrive early. Cellphone-less, computer-less and unwilling to walk the extra block to the coffee shop due to my massive migraine.

It was well worth the time I spent hanging out in the grandma boutiques being looked at like a crazy drifter to hit the door first. They only had one issue of my pick of the week which I will get to. First, I will be reviewing:

Azrael #1

Written by Fabian Nicieza, penciled by Ramon Bachs and inked by John Stanici I think that this, for a first issue, can be summed up by one word: potential.

I think because of the religious aspect it may get a mixed reception. I found myself wanting to read more at the end of it.

The art in this issue was consistent and detailed. No complaints there.

We have the character of Michael Lane who is announced to be the wearer of The Suit of Sorrows and calls himself Azrael whose character becomes more fleshed out as the issue continues.

It was clear in both the Batman and Detective annuals that this is a man with ambiguous goals, someone who may swoop in to save the day, take a life or both. He is no Batman. We do get a Batman cameo in this issue.

Overall this introduces us to the man, we begin to see a bit of what his motivation is and the people with whom he surrounds himself while in and out of the suit.

Not to give too much away but he does have a connection to the period in which Batman was absent. It’s suggested that his journey may have began during that time.

While the storytelling is smooth, one would have to wonder about the flash six months into the the future that is shown. If someone decides not to follow the story, this could also easily be the cause of it. Was that really necessary? Personally, I wonder what the future is really going to bring for Michael Lane. Is it what was pictured at the end of this issue? Or is there more to the story?

Personally, seeing the level of potential in what has been written already I would lean towards the latter.

Final Verdict: Tight art, interesting story and something that just makes a person want to know more about the character of Azrael is what will keep me buying this. Overall a seamless transition into the Gotham lore.

Definitely a BUY! not DIE!

OH MY LAWD usupidvampire’s Pick of the Week

Superman/Batman #65

Yes, this is pick of the week. This is the comic they only had one issue of that made proud to be that creeper who stands out in the pouring rain waiting for the shop to open JUST TO GET THIS.

Superman/Batman #65 “Sweet Dreams” written by Peter Johnson and Matt Cherniss, art by Brian Stelfreeze, Brian Haberlin, Kelly Jones Joe Quinones and Frederico Dallochio is AWESOME.

Okay so the DC website described it as being something like a romp through the minds of Superman, Batman, The Joker and Lex Luthor as they experience their worst nightmares. In this case literally.

There is such a large amount of brilliance in this tiny volume that it’s hard to describe without picking it apart piece by piece. We always wonder about the motivations of these four characters and for some reason seeing what terrifies them the most may give the biggest insight into what makes them tick.

I won’t give what the nightmares were away but I can tell you that Batman’s actually scared me. It was that freaky. The rest were insightful but still a bit predictable.

I love the illustration in this issue. It’s a teensy bit inconsistent and I just have to say…Superman is pretty on the last few panels. I wish that whatever artist contributed those illustrations had also worked on his dream sequence. You can’t always get what you want.

Oh well, there wasn’t anything in particular that jumped out at me as particularly horrid in the art so it’s all good in the hood.

One of the best parts in the last panel where you see the nightmare of the villain who caused the main nightmarish debacle in the first place. I laughed. The “Happy Halloween” in the bottom right hand corner of that panel tied it up nicely.

Final Verdict: If you are a fan of Superman or Batman YOU SHOULD HAVE THIS NOW. NOW. NOW. GO TO THE STORE. GO TO THE INTERNET. JUST GET IT. This is one of the best things I’ve ever invested my money in for $2.99. Put on your big person underwear and get it if you don’t already own it.

DCU Halloween Special ‘09

Okay, I’m not sure where to start with this. I think I will just break it down into individual short-thoughts about the better stories in here.

Have to say first of all I love the Bizzaro World opening and closing for this volume. It was cute and it worked well.

Guy Gardner in Tales of the Corps: Halloween: The Guy Way! I liked this Green Lantern short. It shows Gardner cooking up some first-class Halloween mischief on Oa. It’s fun watching his “party rules” interspersed with some pretty serious flashback scenes. I really enjoyed it though I don’t regularly follow the Green Lantern plots.

Seeing is Believing: A Tale of the Outsiders This story kind of jumps around. I’m not really sure what is going on here. I like some of the individual characters. Again, I don’t follow The Outsiders. The art was consistent but the story was just too disconnected for me to care too much. Maybe fans will like this one better.

Batman in Halloween Past and Trick Defeat Oh yay! A Bruce Wayne story. I really liked this one. Bruce Wayne holds a Halloween Party at the mansion. Alfred informs him that Dick is out trick or treating instead of doing his homework and that his costume is a surprise! Of course the party is crashed and Batgirl and Robin show up to save the day dressed as…Well, just read it!

Robin in Halloween Present: Cavity Search Oh Damien, special Damien. He goes out and tracks down a bad guy dentist (Sugar Tooth) and stops him from removing people’s teeth. Then he does something special. I really enjoyed this one but…Damien. Oh Damien…Hah.

Red Robin in Then and Now: Our Father’s Sins This one had a lot of squandered potential. Red Robin visits both Bruce’s and his father’s graves. He then travels to a place we are assuming is in Mexico for The Day of the Dead. RANT ALERT: Both times that The Day of the Dead (El Dia de los Muertos) is written in this segment it’s written as Day of Dead (Dia de Muertos). A writer didn’t do their homework. It’s sort of insulting when someone like me, who isn’t even fluent in Spanish, picks up on that. A lot of this just made me feel like Bruce was psychotic. In the bad way. Then it backtracks and confuses within it’s few pages. Not a fan of this considering the single issue Red Robin’s are so good. This was just a trainwreck, in my opinion.

Kid Flash in Mirror Games I tried to care but this plot felt tired.

Wonder Woman in Haunted or Hoax? The art here was so nice. It was a typical Halloween story but it passed muster. Bonus points for mentions of reality TV ghost shows.

Superman & Flash in To The Finish Line A race between Superman and The Flash with heroes and villains betting on the sidelines. Good art, loved the surprise ending. Such a perfect Halloween kid’s story.

Superman in My Turn To Be Scary… Okay, you just have to see who Clark and Lois are dressed as to know this is going to be golden. Premise is a haunted office tour. Superman cooks up some scares. I love his comment about Batman. Traditional scary story ending. Good stuff.

Final Verdict: Hits are hits and misses are…bad. The hits are probably worth forking over the money and there are a lot of mini-stories that I didn’t cover. This may be something you want to leaf through before purchasing if your wallet has fallen on hard times.

So I made my way out of Keith’s, head pounding, and I discovered The Chestnut Tree Garden Tea Room. I bought a hot chamomile tea. The rain continued to fall and I considered what I would write for this review. All in all this was a pretty good Wednesday. You can look forward to a retroview of Batman: The Dark Knight returns sometime later this week.

Tomorrow, I’ll have some new song reviews for you. Ya’ll come back now, ya hear!

Initially, we didn’t know what NPC was going to be used for the October RIG. We knew it was going to be something devilish, so I doodled a little:

Super girly

Lol Zack ?

Then reapersun/jenzee decided to use the cash shop items as a base for the NPC. Jenzee made these sweetass items:

Some initial sketches. The items weren’t done at this point so I made up details as I went along.

Final Sketch, Photoshop

Many hours later. Jenzee also suggested adding the bloody wing (which is also an item that was added later?)

This week a new series launches, focusing on a new Batman-related character (there’s a lot of them running around Gotham these days). Azrael is written by Fabian Nicieza and is pencilled by Ramon Bachs and focuses on the character of the same name. However, this isn’t the Jean Paul Valley creation, that replaced Bruce Wayne way before Dick Grayson did, in those heady days of the 1990s. This is a new Azrael, with a new costume, and secret Order. Up at Broken Frontier now is my best attempt to explain the past of this interesting DC character, just in time for the new guy under the mask.

I don’t think I will ever be able to pass the statue of Azrael without thinking of that moment I had with my Master

The most precious moment when he told me the story of Azrael, one of the most feared Assassins that ever lived. The fact that not steel had killed this mighty killer, but something as simple as love, had made me aware of so many things.

The quest of mine, to win his love, seemed instantly selfish. What did it matter if he loves me or not ? Would it change what I feel now ?

I don’t think so, my love isn’t based on what I have received, it simply exists and without any apparent reason.

And even though He never will give me words as ‘I love you’, I simply know that he does. Perhaps he will punish me for thinking this way, tell me it is only a wishful thought of a foolish slave. But the care he gives me, the fact he notices small things and allows me to be near his boot and kissing it makes me even more sure that I am more than a beast he will cast aside.

Not that I doubt he will when He tires of me or when I displease Him. After all my life depends on His judgement and perhaps his love for me.

With those thoughts I can only pray that he will guide me to better myself to be what he wishes me to be, so I will be allowed to love for the both of us.

Czy Rzeczypospolita postanowiła pójść za znaną ironiczną radą niemieckiego poety Bertholda Brechta, jakiej ten udzielił rządowi NRD po krwawo stłumionym powstaniu robotniczym 17 czerwca 1953 roku: aby rząd rozwiązał naród i wybrał sobie nowy? Wygląda na to, że politycy krajowi zamierzają rozwiązać Polonię i wyuczyć sobie nową.

via Wiadomości – Wirtualna Polska.

Criminal: The Sinners #1. A strong start to what I’m sure will be another excellent Brubaker/Phillips collaboration.

Batman and Robin #5. Here we are, still struggling through the terrible art on this arc. Ban the Tan.

Batman Annual #27. I normally dismiss Annuals as useless stand alone stories, I think they are pretty lame more often than not. However, this year the Batman and Detective Comics annuals feature the new Azrael, whose new monthly is coming out next week. The new Azrael is one of the three cops that were trained as potential Batman replacements that were introduced early in Grant Morrison’s Batman run. Now, he has the Suit of Sorrow formerly owned by the League of Assassins, then Batman. The new Azrael has been mostly handled by Fabian Nicieza, who wrote this Annual and the three-part Azrael mini that came before it. So far, so good for this new Batman supporting character.

X-Men Vs. Agents of Atlas #1 (of 2). I figured this for a throw away mini, but this first issue is rad. The Agents of Atlas, if you don’t know, are a group of Golden Age Marvel characters that have been reestablished into continuity in the last few years. To make a long story short, they are a bunch of good guys whose leader has inherited a evil secret society that they now try to utilize for the greater good. So the gimmick is, they are good guys who always seem a little shady to our more conventional heroes. Hey, that’s Marvel as you like it, right? I know I love that classic misunderstanding dynamic that has furthered oh-so-many-Marvel-plots, don’t you? Anyway, here we see that the Agents of Atlas have to steal Cerebra from the X-Men, with the best of intentions, of course. Let the fun begin!

Astonishing X-Men #31. I didn’t even know this book was going to come out. After the boring run Warren Ellis did with Simone Bianchi, I figured Astonishing may get dropped or get an all new creative team. Instead, Ellis continues writing chores and Phil Jimenez steps in as artist. One thing the previous arc by Bianchi lacked was action, but with Jimenez we get a huge increase in the pacing and action. Here we see ships being blown out of orbit, and a non-stop aerial battle that leads up to the cliffhanger ending where our heroes face a big ol’ meat Sentinel. I hope this newfound momentum keeps rolling, this was a fun issue.

Irredeemable #7. Irredeemable is the best Mark Waid comic coming out, and Mark Waid is one of the best writers in the business, so check it, Irredeemable is fresh.

Next Week:

Blackest Night Batman #3 (of 3).

Booster Gold #25.

Detective Comics Annual #11.

Green Lantern Corps #41.

Red Robin #5.

Godland #29.

Web of Spider-Man #1.

X-Men Forever #9.

Uncanny X-Men #516.

Until next week,

Ronald Rosebud.

Picture it:  New Jersey, 1983.  A young CWG is glued to her television on an early Saturday morning, mesmerized by miniature blue people who resided in mushrooms(!!!).  The fearless leader of this community, Papa, donned a red get-up.  Typically, he could be found in his laboratory mixing up potions that required excessive amounts of Smurfberries, as I recall.  The potions were being developed to fend off their mortal enemy, Gargamel, and his bad-assed cat Azrael. 

Residing with Papa in Smurfville was a blonde minx named Smurfette, a smug little bugger named Vanity who toted around a mirror, Jokey with his exploding gag gift, Poet who, if memory serves, had a parchment scroll and feather quill, Brainy and his nerdy glasses, Handy with his toolbox (or was it a belt?), and 93 assorted other blue guys. 

Collectively they were known as The Smufs and were ALL the rage.  My sister and I had plush Smurfs, Smurfs shrinky dinks, plastic Smurf statues, and we took to saying things like ‘abso-SMURF-ly’!  (Okay, I admit it.  I still own my Smurfs shrinky dink kit.)

In July, Husban-dito and I revisited a favorite haunt of ours in Vermont–The Vermont Country Store.  Jam packed with everything from candy to Q-tips with wooden sticks (instead of paper), it’s the be-all and end-all of general stores.  It’s a sprawling place and is often overrun by tour groups coming to take a peek. 

As we wandered around, I came upon a large (and prominent) display of my childhood friends.  I couldn’t help leaning in for a few snapshots…click on them for a closer look.

 After we returned home, I visited a local Crud-mart with my sister and happened upon a man about my age who was sprinting toward the cash register with a DVD of The Smurfs television series clutched in his sweaty hands. 

The Smurfs, it would seem, are BACK.  In my opinion, it’s about SMURFIN’ time!

Links & Looks shares news, curiosities, sometimes offbeat ideas, web links, and images that I come across. In analog days, we clipped and saved newspaper and magazine articles and scribbled notes to ourselves (often on envelopes, napkins and scraps of paper that wound up getting lost or accidentally thrown away). Now, blogs make it possible not only to collect and sort these findings, but also share them with others and archive them in always-accessible form. In short, Links & Looks aims to be a one-stop memory jogger of what, at different moments in time, grabbed my interest and curiosity and might be of interest to you, too.

This site is in its infancy, but feel free to browse and see what’s here.

Visit Azrael Photography website

Also, click here to return to my photography website galleries of archived images shot for editorial and commercial clients, as well as images of people and places I’ve shot just for fun.

Please be sure to leave a comment or email me at blog@azrael.com.

Thanks for visiting.

– Mimi Azrael

-bonjour ma chérie, bien dormi?

-rwwwouiii ca grwva

-mais tu as perdu ta voix? Tu as du attraper froid à la soirée d’ hier

-rwwwrrooui, sûuurement….

-en fait…c´est mignon, on dirait la voix d’ Azraël

-…………………….

-mais tu sais! le chat qui accompagne Gargamel dans le dessin animé!

-…………………

-Oops…pardon! Mais c’ est mignon quand même, ma petite Azraëlette…

Merci.

Comme dirai son compagnon: “Je me vengerai, et ma vengeance sera terrible!”

hahaha

Azrael #1. The new Azrael had a pretty nifty mini written by Fabian Nicieza and drawn by one of my favorite artists, Frazer Irving. The first issue of this new ongoing is still under the direction of Nicieza, with Ramon Bachs taking over the art, in a style that reminds me of early Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics (in a good way). The story opens with a mugging in an alley, the classic comic standby. However, don’t think that this comic is hackneyed; it is in fact a rock solid story. We get a very effective recap of Our-Hero-so-far, a cameo from Batman, and another classic comic storytelling device, the flash-forward. DC has done a great job of showcasing this new character, from his intro in Grant Morrison’s Batman, to his mini and current starring role in the Batman and Detective Annuals, and Azrael deserves it, he’s a cool character.

Amazing Spider-Man #609. Sometimes the new, mostly weekly Spider-Man series is good, but sometimes it isn’t. This issue is pretty dull. Kane and Paladin are not characters that need revisiting.

Dark Avengers #10. I keep reading this comic, but it’s not very good. In this issue we are reintroduced to the Molecule Man, one of the coolest characters in the Marvel U. I’m sure like so many potentially good ideas introduced by Brian Michael Bendis, this one will ultimately disappoint.

Dark Wolverine #79. I’ve cooled a little on the temporary focus on Daken, Wolverine’s son, in this series. It’s still pretty good, but this issue lacked the focus of previous issues in this story. However, I’m still pretty sure that Daken is a good addition to the X-family.

Next Week (10.28.09)     

Adventure Comics #3.

Blackest Night #4 (of 8).

Detective Comics #858.

Last Days of Animal Man #6 (of 6).

Superman: Secret Orgins #2 (of 6).

Fantastic Four #572.

Ultimate Avengers #3.

Ultimate Armor Wars #2 (of 4).

New Mutants #6.

X-Men Forever #10.

X-Factor #50.

Make it Man-Thing!,

Ronald Rosebud.