DC Comics reviews for 6/20/18

Batman Prelude to the Wedding:
Red Hood vs. Anarky #1

I was worried these preludes to the wedding specials were going to be like Star Trek movies where every other one was good. After a strong Batgirl vs. Riddler issue last week, the trend was against Red Hood vs Anarky being worthwhile. Fortunately, there’s no letdown with this chapter, which makes for an entertaining read in the wedding buildup.

Batman has Red Hood shadow Selena on her bachelorette party to make sure nothing gets too out of hand. The Bruce Wayne/Jason Todd is unique among the Bat Family so Batman asking a favor means more than say to Nightwing. Jason’s reaction is perfectly in character and amusing.

Anarky might not seem like an obvious villain choice for this special, but he works as an impediment to Jason’s mission. These villain encounters don’t have to have a master plot to last for four issues. They’re a minor obstacle and the stories have made for quick and enjoyable reads.

This issue featured a return of the Rebirth Nightwing team as artist Javier Fernandez joined Prelude writer Tim Seeley. I’ve always liked Fernandez’s style as it works really well with the fluid, acrobatic members of the Bat family dancing in and out of the shadows.

While this is a Red Hood story, Seeley makes sure to give some screen time to Jason’s Outlaws’ partners Artemis and Bizarro.

The order of this story seems a bit out of wack as this chapter would have made a lot more sense as the second installment. Events in this story occur before Batman’s bachelor party with Superman and Nightwing and show Selena’s bachelorette party. It’s not a deal breaker, but the kind of thing that probably should have been caught by the editor. Maybe the inevitable trade will assemble the story in chronological order?

Rating: 8 out of 10