Comic Book Quick Reviews: Batman, Sledge Hammer 44, Snapshot

BATMAN #18

SYNOPSIS: Welcome guest-artist Andy Kubert! In the wake of unspeakable tragedy, Batman is in danger of losing his humanity! And in the backup story, fan-favorite character Harper Row returns—but will she be able to pull Batman back from the brink?

REVIEW: The answer to that question is unfortunately yes. Something that occurs easier than you'd suspect especially since Harper Row is positioning herself to be some kind "assistant" (didn't want to say side-kick just yet) to the grieving and destructive Dark Knight. He's sleep-deprived and wreaking havoc on crime even during the day in Gotham after the loss of Damian. Yet he is somehow calmed by another young protege hoping to lend a hand. After a great but restrained 'Death of the Family' arc this issue just didn't ring true to Batman's motivations and reconciled a lot all too quickly. Harper is an interesting character with potential albeit too familiar in the Robin-mold but despite the incredible art by Kubert this story is just all too conveniently told. 

SLEDGEHAMMER 44 #1

SYNOPSIS: August 1944: a man in a suit of iron armor drops from an American warplane onto a French battlefield, where he attempts to fight his way through an army of Nazis and the massive war machine they keep protected in an armory.

REVIEW: The synopsis tells the whole story basically but it's a fun read even if you're not familiar with Mike Mignola's work. This sets up an exciting conclusion in issue #2 of the limited series. 

SNAPSHOT 1 (2nd Printing) & 2

SYNOPSIS:  (#1) Jake Dobson is your typical nerd; works at the Near-Mint Rhino comic-book store in San Francisco. But when he finds a lost cell phone, he's horrified to discover it's full of snapshots of a murder victim. Suddenly he finds himself hunted by a vengeful hitman who wants his phone back... and Jake in a body bag! And then things start to get *really* complicated...

Don't miss the first ever creator-owned thriller from the team behind THE LOSERS and GREEN ARROW: YEAR ONE!

(#2) Jake's life spirals into nightmare as he finds himself hunted by the very hit-man who has framed him for murder. Maybe the victim's daughter can give Jake the key to the mystery... if he lives that long! 

REVIEW: Having finally procured a first issue I can finally say that Snapshot is definitely worth your time and money. It's a fast-paced mystery that may seem a little convoluted but it draws you in and compels you to demand answers as much as Jake does. Jock's black and white artwork is minimalist but striking nonetheless.