Legacy Shorts: Comic Book Reviews for 2/18/09

Amazing Spider-Man #587

Creative Team
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Artist: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Klaus Janson
Colorist: Dean White

Story - Character Assassination: Part 3

Review
'Character Assassination' so far hasn't been anything but average, though the the origin of Menace we got the last issue was a step up, this issue was the best issue of this arc. I always have liked it when Daredevil, who only appears as Matt Murdock in this issue, and Spider-Man appear in each others comics. It is rare to see these two characters interact with each other in the past few years even though they are supposed to be each others best friend in the superhero community. I am interested to see if Matt does know that Peter Parker is Spider-Man since this issue was ambiguous about that fact.

Also it is mentioned in this issue that it was Black Cat that stole back Spider-Man's webshooters which makes me wonder when we are going to see her back in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man. Out of all the major Spider-Man characters she is the only one yet to make an appearance post-BND. Hopefully we will see her return sometime this year.

Now, if nothing else this arc serves as a closure to the first years worth of stories in BND and Gruggenheim is doing a nice job setting the stage for the end of the Spider-Tracer killers and Menace. Though I was disappointed that we did not see a follow up to the cliffhanger from the last issue were Harry was putting on his Goblin gear.

Again the stand off this arc is the art by John Romita Jr. This issue especially was a step up from the previous issues artwork. Romita Jr. does an awesome job conveying the various emotions of all the characters from Spider-Man depression of being arrested (again) to Vin's surprise he was sold out by his partner. I can't wait to see Romita's artwork when we get the Spider-Man/Menace/Harry showdown.

Issue Rating
Story: 7.5/10 - With having to end all the various plotlines that have been running since the start of BND Gruggenheim is doing the best he can in order for BND start its second year.
Art: 8.8/10 - Romita Jr. artwork is great as always and he does a great job telling the story just through his artwork alone.
Overall: 8.15/10 - Though this arc has been average so far this arc looks to close strong as we head towards Spider-Man helping out his roommate, Vin, and a showdown between Spider-Man, Menace, and Harry.

Superman/Batman #55

Creative Team
Writers: Michael Green & Mike Johnson
Artist: Rags Morales
Inkers: John Dell & Drew Gereci
Colorist: Nei Reffino

Story - SuperBat: Part 3

Review
While this has not been a horrible arc 'SuperBat' just continues to have the "been there, done that" feel that offers nothing new to a story that has been done to death with two superheroes switching powers, especially between Superman and Batman. Seeing Batman lash out at the JLA, Catwoman, and Nightwing is nothing new that we have seen when a hero who used to not have any powers to having powers before.

Now I due have to give Green and Johnson credit for creating some nice dialogue between all the various characters. I am glad that Green and Johnson have some respect for Nightwing as he gets in a few nice shots during his short fight with Batman. And the cliffhanger does have me interested to see a fight between a depowered Superman and a superpowered Batman.

Rags Morales provides some nice artwork as always. He draws one badass Batman as he shows how dangerous Batman with superpowers. Also he does a nice job showing off Nightwing's acrobatic fighting style during the fight with Batman. The only problem I had with Morales artwork is that he draws Robin to look like a twelve year old kid.

Issue Rating
Story: 6.8/10 - While this is a story that offers nothing new to the switching powers story we have seen many times before Green and Johnson serve some nice dialogue to keep this arc from being a dull read.
Art: 8/10 - Morales provides good art that gives this issue a blockbuster movie type feel.
Overall: 7.4/10 - This arc is nothing we haven't seen before but I still would recommend it for fans of these type of arcs and any new reader.