Rand Bellavia takes a look at his growing longbox, and reflects on comics released in February 2017.

Batman 16: I am Bane Part One

writer: Tom King
pencils and inks: David Finch
colors: Jordie Bellaire
letters: John Workman

The early issues of Tom King’s Batman are pretty grim.  That the previous story was called “I Am Suicide” should give some indication, and “I Am Bane” has its share of darkness as well.  This issue opens with a short scene providing some much-needed — and appreciated — merriment.

Note that the Ivy Salad does not contain poison.  The entire background of that panel is worth your time — the menu is clear enough but don’t miss the soda fountain.

The idea that Gotham’s very own urban legend would inspire a fast food franchise is funny enough, but having Batman’s “sons” chilling in a side booth is gold.  Clockwise from the left, that’s Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, and Damian Wayne — who, as you might imagine, is the star attraction.

That’s Duke Thomas with Bruce in the penultimate panel above.  Bruce takes his seat, and closes the scene by pulling a George Costanza.

“That’s the way these society types eat their candy bars.”

The Flintstones 8: the Leisure Class

writer: Mark Russell
artist: Steve Pugh
colorist: Chris Chuckry
letterer: Dave Sharpe

This issue’s look at ourselves through the lens of a modern stone-age family opens with a scene from Wilma’s childhood, where she and the other women of her tribe gather vegetation while the men hunt.  (Spoiler alert: the women provide a lot more food then the men do.)

We learn that Wilma’s parents left their tribe to raise Wilma on a farm, and Wilma then ran away from home after her father tried to trade her for some farm animals.  (Sure, he used words like “arranged marriage” and “dowry,” but that’s not how Wilma experienced it.)

Back in the present, the children of Bedrock learn about economics:

Note that Bedrock Middle School’s mascot (“The Fighting Tree People”) are the tribe that Bedrock recently went to war against.  On a completely unrelated matter, it turns out that things aren’t going well for Bedrock economically, so the new mayor (Clod the Destroyer) gets a celebrity spokesperson to make an ad in support of a new war, against the Lizard People.

Back at BMS, the economist is quickly dismissed as dangerous and asked to leave the classroom, but keeps sneaking back in to finish his lecture on the leisure class.  His points are highlighted by Wilma’s lived experience and the developing war with the Lizard People.

No matter how many times he’s shooed away, our friend the economist refuses to stop talking:

Wilma, an artist who grew up farming, has no patience for Clod the Destroyer’s plans.  And that’s before he announces that the money set aside for a children’s hospital will be used to fund the war effort.

The previous war taught Fred to question authority, and that things are rarely how they seem.  One of the more pleasing aspects of this series is how frequently Fred Flintstone is used as the voice of reason.  At a pitch level I’m not sure I would have thought that this wouldn’t work, but in execution it absolutely does.

Champions 5

writer: Mark Waid
penciler: Humerto Ramos
inker: Victor Olazaba
colorist: Edgar Delgado
letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles

This issue features a guest appearance by Gwenpool.  She’s a mashup of Gwen Stacy and Deadpool, and her thing is that she’s from our world, and knows she’s in a comic book, and is aware of all the tropes associated with Marvel Comics.  Basically, she’s Jamie Kennedy’s character Randy from Scream, but with a better costume.

Mark Waid uses Gwenpool to illustrate just how different the Champion’ approach to fighting crime is from other super-hero teams.  It’s surprisingly fun to see the Champions (who exist in the morally simple Marvel Universe) arguing that these problems are systemic and you can’t just punch your way to justice, while Gwenpool (who supposedly comes from our world of moral complexity) arguing that people being racist must mean that the Hate Monger is on the loose again.

And while there might not be a super-villain making people behave badly, there is someone who is using his influence to stoke the fires of hatred.  His name is Sheriff Studdard (and he absolutely positively is not based on anyone from our world).  The Champions uncover evidence against him, but receive a hard dose of reality (or cynicism, depending on your point of view).

Month in and month out this comic does a remarkable job of being a great deal of fun while also addressing genuine issues without providing easy answers.  And despite all of the silliness brought in by Gwenpool, we don’t get the pat resolution we are used to getting in these sorts of stories.

The Champions don’t necessarily save the day.  They don’t even convince Gwenpool to reconsider her point of view.  Importantly, they also don’t give in to cynicism.  Because not giving up easily is what it takes to be a Champion.

Other Comics I Read from February 2017

• All-New Wolverine 17
• Amazing Spider-Man 24
• Archie 17
• Avengers 4, 4.1
• Batman 17
• Batwoman: Rebirth
• Black History in Its Own Words
• Black Road 7
• Black Widow 11
• Bullseye 1
• Clean Room 16
• Clone Conspiracy 5
• Daredevil 17
• Descender 19
• Detective Comics 950, 951
• Divinity III: Stalinverse 3
• Doctor Strange 17
• East of West 31
• Faith 8
• Fix 8
• Foolkiller 4
• Generation Zero 7
• God Country 2
• Guardians of the Galaxy 17
• Hawkeye 3
• Infamous Iron Man 5
• Invincible 132, 133
• Invincible Iron Man 4
• Jessica Jones 5
• Justice League/Power Rangers 2
• Kamandi Challenge 2
• Karnak 6
• Kill or Be Killed 6
• Kingpin 1
• Midnighter and Apollo 5
• Mighty Thor 16
• Moon Knight 11
• Ms. Marvel 15
• Ninjak 24
• Nova 3
• Old Guard 1
• Old Man Logan 17, 18
• Planetoid: Praxis 1
• Postal 18
• Power Man and Iron Fist 13
• Revival 47
• Rocket Raccoon 3
• Sex Criminals 16
• Spider-Man 13
• Spider-Woman 16
• Star-Lord 3
• Super Powers 4
• Super Sons 1
• Superman 16, 17
• Thanos 4
• They’re Not Like Us 14
• Totally Awesome Hulk 16
• Unworthy Thor 4
• Walking Dead 163, 164
• Wild Storm 1
• Wonder Woman 16, 17
• World of Tanks 5