Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #187

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics.

Title: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight
Issue: 187
Date: March, 2005
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Shane McCarthy
Penciller: Tommy Castillo
Inker: Rodney Ramos
Colorist: Tony Avina
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Editor: Bob Schreck, Michael Wright

This is part three of a story arc called "Riddle Me That", with the Batman being manipulated through a complex series of puzzles and traps by the Riddler, while the Riddler's past is explored in flashback sequences.

It hadn't occurred to me until I read this, but I know pretty much nothing about the Riddler's origin story, which is surprising to me considering what a longstanding and iconic character he is. I've even cosplayed him! And I still know nothing about his background.

So for that alone, I found this a really intriguing issue. It's a pretty transitional piece of the overall story arc, so the present-time action doesn't really amount to all that much, but the bits of Riddler backstory were enough to get me interested in reading more.

Rating: 6.5/10

All Star Superman #1 Free Comic Book Day 2008 Edition

From the stack of random unread comics, and originally from Free Comic Book Day 2008.

Title: All-Star Superman
Issue: #1
Date: June, 2008
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Grant Morrison
Penciler: Frank Quitely
Inker: Jamie Grant
Colorist: Jamie Grant
Letterer: Phil Balsman
Editor: Brandon Montclare, Bob Schreck

This is one of several promotional reprints that DC Comics has produced of the first issue of All Star Superman. I read and reviewed a more recent reprint (coinciding with the release of the Man of Steel film) here.

This edition uses the original cover (formatted for Free Comic Book Day), which is something of an improvement on the Man of Steel promo (or rather, the new cover for the Man of Steel promo was not an improvement on the original).

My opinion on the story holds up after a second reading (actually, this was probably at least my fourth time reading this; I've got the original printing somewhere).

This is an excellent, and complex story, with Superman facing the possibility of his own mortality due to a scheme by Lex Luthor that lured Superman into the sun and left his cells dying slowly from a solar radiation overdose. The story feels very Silver-Age, and is reminiscent of Alan Moore's great Silver Age tribute, "What Ever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?".

The artwork is absolutely gorgeous.

It's not the best introductory story for non-fans, in spite of DC constantly reprinting it as such, but for a fan, this is a really intriguing beginning that holds up nicely after multiple readings.

Rating is up half a point due to the better cover.

Rating: 8.5/10

Whiteout #1 Free Comic Book Day Edition

Another FCBD book from a past year that ended up in my haul from this year's Free Comic Book Day.

Title: Whiteout Free Comic Book Day Edition
Issue: #1
Date: 2007
Publisher: Oni Press
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist Steve Lieber
Editor: Bob Schreck, James Lucas Jones

First chapter reprint of the 1998 graphic novel by Rucka and Lieber. This was the comic that inspired the 2009 film of the same title, starring Kate Beckinsale.

This is a crime story set in the harshest environment on Earth: Antarctica. US Marshal Carrie Stetko is the only American law enforcement agent responsible for the antarctic scientific stations, and she's investigating what appears to be the continent's very first murder case.

This was a very engaging story with great characters. Just having a female lead who looks realistic and wears appropriate clothing (and she had better in this setting!) is a refreshing change from much of mainstream comics. But this also had great pacing, a really interesting supporting cast, and great use of the setting.

This first issue laid the foundation for a complex mystery, and ended on a brilliantly original cliffhanger.

Between the setting and the excellent lead character, this really stands out from typical cop fare, and Lieber's visuals do a nice job of capturing the bleak setting. This first chapter definitely left me eager to read more.

Rating: 8.5/10