DETECTIVE COMICS #20

Curse that very bad-bird. He's like a funny-looking yet evil-nerd! Or maybe he'll be a geek? Or a creep that is chic? Or quite possibly a stray-sheep from the herd? BAH-BAH! Not unlike the geek-loving Writer: John Layman; the Artists: Jason Fabok and Andy Clarke; plus the Publisher: DC Comics, in April, 2013.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 5 questions about this STORY entitled 'King for a Day'.

WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: Post haste, Batman has to stop the newly supercharged Emperor Penguin, before his stranglehold on Gotham City becomes resolute.
ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: At first -- no -- not really. But when the other pug-faced Penguin, Oswald Cobblepot, eventually makes him presence known, well, lets just say that he lends Bat's a beak or two.
ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: Yeah. Batman gets a stiff neck.
HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With an incarceration and a reclassification in the works.
WHAT'S THE BACK-UP FEATURE ABOUT: The Emperor expands upon his own origins, whilst he has a short tête-à-tête with the Boss of Blackgate Penitentiary. SNAP! The old Boss.

All in all, what is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

I just loved how this issue began. It felt poignant. It felt timely. Plus it was one hell of a read too. Here, check this out...

'By the time Ignatius Ogilvy got into Gotham first Federal, he'd given up all the pretence of keeping his actions and identity a secret. He strolled in with his crew, beat up everybody who even looked at him twice, and gathered more than three million dollars in cash from the vaults. And when he was done, he looked directly at the security camera, smiled, and said "Come and get me, Batman". Tonight... I was more than happy to oblige'.

Wow! Doesn't that read great? It comes across like an 'old-school' gangster film with real chops.

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) Generally speaking, I thought that there were three very surprising story-strands scattered throughout this issue. Firstly, I was stunned by the similarities between Bruce's origins and Ogilvy's origins -- as it did make sense why Olgilvy became who he is. Secondly, the Penguins generosity displayed within the last leg of this book was a very bold take on his mentality. And thirdly, that image of Bruce hanging from a tree sh*t me up something terrible. OK, I knew that he's wasn't going to peg it in this very mundane manner. But still -- Wow! -- What an image!

(+) Hey! While on the subject of images, Jason Fabok and Andy Clarke are really top-draw artists. Honestly, I can't seem to fault them one little bit. Their characters are expressive. Their panelling is dynamic. And all in all -- Wow again! -- To the Max.

(+) On a conceptual level, this story is about the rise and fall of a gangster. And to me, someone who loves such films as Goodfellas, well, this is right up my crime alley, bar none.

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) My only slight gripe with this adventure would have to be the overall predictability of it. As soon as the Penguin was released -- I knew he would somehow help Batman out. When Batman was tied-up like a chicken -- I knew he wouldn't get plucked. Plus I knew that this yarn would finish on a satisfactory level, because next issue... err... wait a minute. I think that I leave that for my conclusion.

Choose TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and then compare them to two MUSICIANS .

GERI HALLIWELL AS EMPEROR... ERRR... WHATEVER: Well, let's face it. This so-called singer and this so-called villain both have wannabe written all over them.

JOE COCKER AS THE PENGUIN: It's a little known fact that when 'The Cock' was a young lad, he would brandish a monocle and say 'Wak-Wak-Wak' an awful lot. Yeah. Honest. Geri told me.

What QUOTE would be appropriate to sum-up this story?

'I need more sex, OK? Before I die I wanna taste everyone in the world' -- Angelina Jolie

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?

WANNABE BY THE SPICE GIRL: I tell you what I want, what I really-really want, I wanna -- huh -- I wanna -- huh -- I want to not compare this story to this song. Oops!

ANYTHING Else?

Overall this issue of 'Detective Comics' was fairly good across the board. The art was amazing. The story was both predictable and bold. And the only thing that let it down was the main villain of the piece, Emperor Penguin. I mean; what next, huh? Something like...

Emperor Lane -- After he beats Lois in a writing competition.
Emperor Doo -- After he beat's Scooby to those tasty snacks.
Emperor Jolie -- After he sleeps with Brad Pitt.
Emperor Man -- After he beats himself up.
Emperor Woman -- After he beat's Diana in a swimsuit competition.
Emperor Emperor -- After he fly's over to Korea for a chat with... errr... what's-his-face. That chap with the crew-cut. Dragon Lee.

Huh? What do you mean you can do better than that? Go on then. I dare you. I double dare you with a strawberry on top. Game on.

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: If This Comic Book Was a Sandwich, It Would Be a Cheese and Pickle Sandwich with a Slice of Monkey. Samey, yet Different.