What is a children's story? Is it a watered-down view of the world, told through watered-down prose? Does it soften the edges of reality in an attempt to preserve the innocence of the young? Jason Brubaker may not have set out to write a children's story, but I would contend that he has; and, in…

Welcome back to Break from the Bat, our monthly trip outside the dangerous streets of Gotham and into the wider world of comics. This time, we're merely trading one heart of darkness for another, as we take a look at Boom's Sombra, a four-part mini by writer Justin Jordan, illustrator Raúl Treviño, colorist Juan Useche, and letterer…

Welcome back to Break from the Bat, our monthly exploration of what's happening outside of Gotham. I don't know about you, but some weeks, I have trouble keeping up with all of the books I want to read. Family stuff needs more time than usual, work gets crazy, and titles that aren't at the top…

Welcome back to Break from the Bat, our monthly trip outside of Gotham to the wide world of comics beyond. And this month, we are really beyond. I humbly submit for your consideration: Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer The brainchild of award-winning newspaper cartoonist Dusty Higgins, Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer picks up where the classic tale leaves off.…

Welcome back to Break from the Bat, your monthly dose of comics from anywhere but Gotham. I've got to level with you—I've been feeling a little burned out lately, and I told myself I would spend a few months focusing this column on books I was already reading, rather than looking for something completely fresh.…

I've tried a few times to get into Valiant's tent-pole titles over the past several years. But other than an isolated issue of Ninjak or a promising mini like Savage, nothing really took. Perhaps the problem lies in being dropped into the middle of a completely foreign mythology; it was easy to start reading DC and Marvel,…

Welcome back to Break from the Bat, your monthly dose of comics not connected to Batman, courtesy of the review team here at Batman News. This month, our featured selection is God Country, a brand new book from Image Comics about dads, demons, and dang, that's a big sword! Written by Donny Cates, with art by Geoff Shaw, colors…

Welcome back to Break from the Bat, our monthly look at what's happening in the wide world of comics outside of Gotham. I had a tough time picking a book to feature this month, because there were two that I really loved. So while it doesn't get the place of honor, be sure to read…

Boom's Warlords of Appalachia is a four-issue mini set in a broken future where the "Affiliated States of America" have rebelled, started a religious civil war, and were then beaten into submission by the union. Our hero is Kade Mercer, a Kentucky man whose attempt at a peaceful life is upset by the contentious relations between…

Can science solve murder by magic? According to its publisher, that's the question at the heart of Ether, but I disagree. Matt Kindt and David Rubín's new creator-owned series may hook you in with such a premise, but its meat—at least through its first two issues—is a Holmes-esque investigator and the fantastically bizarre, mystical realm…

Every few months, I stumble upon a book that I didn't see coming, and then find myself blown away at both its elusiveness and its splendor. So it is with Green Valley, Max Landis's brand new tale of brotherhood, commitment, and courage in the face of staggering loss, which I only heard about for the…