The P.O.W - 09/30/20 - BATMAN: THREE JOKERS #2 / SHANG-CHI #1 / THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH #1

PICKS OF THE WEEK – Sep. 30, 2020:

• BATMAN: THREE JOKERS #2: The stakes have been raised in this sensational second issue of a new Batman classic. The fallout from the events of the first issue have taken a turn for the worst as Joker’s plan for Batman and Company digs deeper into getting under their skin and bringing out what they fear the most. Writer Geoff Johns throws Batgirl, Red Hood and Batman into emotional hell as he uses the Joker to examine what makes these heroes tick. He does a fantastic job of ruffling their wings where at best this issue shines by their character moments rather than the pursuit of the clown prince of crime. Jason Fabok on the art side of things is simply immaculate with his pencils. There are literally no other words needed because his work rocks that hard. The stage is finally set for the grand finale of this long-awaited book, and with the stakes this high, who knows what else the Joker has up his sleeve. Pick this up if you haven’t already, but chances are, it’s probably already in the cart.

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• SHANG-CHI #1: The Master of Kung-Fu is back with a new creative team, new costume and new lease on life as Marvel reintroduces him to the masses as they gear up for the big budget feature coming down the pipeline next year. Gene Luen Yang takes over writing duties and does a great job of setting up the conflict for the series going forward. Shang-Chi has put his super heroics on mute as he works at a bakery in San Francisco until danger comes knocking and members of an ancient martial arts society shows up at his door. On the art side of things this issue is a twofer. Philip Tan handles the flashback sequences while Dike Ruan handles the present-day action. Both shine with their respective styles and handle the flow of action and movement that comes with martial arts in a frantic and hard-hitting way that may make you cringe with splendor as goons take a couple round house kicks to the noggin. Yang sets up the series with a few twists and turns and has some cool side characters that will pop up to flesh out the story and bring some killers skills to the party. Check this out if you’re a fan of Martial arts or one of the deadliest characters in the Marvel universe that is sure to play a bigger role in the months to come.

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• THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH #1: James Tynion IV is dropping the cape and cowl for this new number one from Image as he puts on his tin foil hat and heads straight into the heart of conspiracy theories. The book follows FBI special agent Cole Turner as he is brought into a shadowy organization after a mind-bending trip he just experienced to debrief and understand the larger changes to the world that is happening around him. Tynion plays well with conspiracy theorists, his social commentary and the twist at the end of the issue that sets up the major conflict for the series going forward. It’s a breath of fresh air in a world misinformation that seems to be sweeping the nation, taking up real estate in our heads and changing the world outside our respective bubbles. The real kicker of this series though is the art. Martin Simmonds knocks this issue straight out of the park with a style that is equal parts Bill Sienkiewicz and Dave McKean which adds to the elusive, sketchy nature of the book and the truth being warped around it. For fans of books like the Umbrella Academy and for people who want something off the beaten path that is topical and intriguing, check out Department of Truth.

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