The Stop Button

Black Panther (1998) #25 [2000] W: Christopher Priest. A: Bob Almond, Sal Velluto. Priest wraps up big portions of the series so far, amidst a crossover issue. Aliens on Earth, Ross and Black Panther fighting them while Ross tries to resurrect the dead. Eventually they end up stranded on an alien world. The issue’s got beautiful art and strong plotting. Ross is barely sympathetic, and the resolution slight. But decent enough.

Black Panther (1998) #26 [2001] W: Christopher Priest. A: Bob Almond. Storm and Black Panther have a little superhero flying date but then have the deal with Americans rounding up stranded space alien criminals and torturing them. It’s a done-in-one story as far as that plot, but Priest is layering in all the subplots. And the main plot’s non slouch either. The final reveal is just too wild.

Black Panther (1998) #27 [2001] W: Christopher Priest. A: Bob Almond, Sal Velluto. Priest does an exquisite job plotting this one. Panther’s headed to the U.N. to talk about his military response to Lemuria. They’re mad he’s giving a “deviant” refuge (it’s a baby with mental telepathy powers and whatnot). The issue covers the moments before the trip, like Storm hanging out still. We also find out White Wolf’s scheme. Good stuff.

Catwoman (2002) #32 [2004] W: Ed Brubaker. A: Sean Phillips, Stefano Gaudiano. Selina’s back home and we get Lark and Gaudiano filling in on art. Beautifully. While Selina catches up with Bruce Wayne, Brubaker checks in on the supporting cast. Both Holly and Slam have their own subplots brewing, though no real hint at what’s next for the book. It’s some gorgeous art, but Brubaker’s lost the Selina voice.

Catwoman (2002) #33 [2004] W: Ed Brubaker. A: Diego Olmos, Jimmy Palmiotti. Brubaker seems to know he’s got voice problems too because he splits the issue into multiple first-person narrators. They’re all telling their part in Selina putting down the new rules. The book’s floundering. Even before the finale, which reveals we’re just turning back the stacks not changing them. Guest penciller Olmos is uneven but pleasant enough.

Catwoman (2002) #34 [2004] W: Ed Brubaker. A: Jimmy Palmiotti, Paul Gulacy. It’s kind of mean but the WAR GAMES crossover is just what Brubaker needs to get the book in gear. Things have to happen. Sort of. It’s mostly talking heads, then Selina kicking Mr. Freeze’s butt. Gulacy does a great Freeze. The rest, not his worst… Nice dramatics for Selina and Leslie Thompkins. And then Spoiler’s big reveal.

Catwoman (2002) #35 [2004] W: Ed Brubaker. A: Jimmy Palmiotti, Paul Gulacy. And then reality sets in and it’s just a bad crossover event. Brubaker gets a rough assignment–Batman’s deputizing the cops into the Bat Army and everyone thinks he’s a little much. Plus Spoiler’s tortured and suffering and narrating. Those pages are bad. The Selina stuff could be worse. Gulacy is pretty stretched, though. The art’s real loose.

Catwoman (2002) #36 [2004] W: Ed Brubaker. A: Jimmy Palmiotti, Paul Gulacy. WAR GAMES crossover. Not as good as the first, better than last time. Even with a boring fight between Selina and Zeiss. It’s all action with her kicking his ass, flushing the stakes from before. But Zeiss also isn’t talking so it’s less obnoxious than usual. What a toad of a character. Anyway. Could be worse crossover detritus.

Catwoman (2002) #37 [2005] W: Ed Brubaker. A: Jimmy Palmiotti, Paul Gulacy. Brubaker puts his run to bed, with a little too much Selina narration. She’s got some weird ideas. The issue is half “what kind of series has it been” and fond farewells to the cast. The Batman cameo is awkward and unnecessary. Gulacy brings back Robert Mitchum Slam. Unfortunately, the art’s barely mid. Issue’s slight but okay.

**Zorro: Man of the Dead ** (2024) #1 WA: Sean Gordon Murphy. A modern day Zorro fights the narcos with the help of his getaway car driving sister. Murphy’s got some great panels, but the story’s a little loose. The sister’s infinitely more compelling than Zorro, who’s got some mental health issues going on. Murphy plays them for laughs. But they’re also the whole idea for the book. Odd, odd choice.

**Zorro: Man of the Dead ** (2024) #2 WA: Sean Gordon Murphy. Murphy reveals the secret origin of the new Zorro–therapy failed to cure his PTSD as a kid so his uncle raised him to be Zorro (and to think it’s the 1880’s). It’s barely a plot point but it’s also a thud of a gimmick. Overall, the issue’s probably better than the first? But it’s still just pretty.

**Zorro: Man of the Dead ** (2024) #3 WA: Sean Gordon Murphy. It’s the best issue, mostly because Zorro is in the background except for action sequences. Oh, and when he seemingly has a lucid thought. Murphy’s got sister Rosa talking about taking advantage of the mental health issues, but only because even badass girls are buzzkills. The art is gorgeous, but it’s such a middling story. Zorro shouldn’t bore.