Graphic books bestsellers: Batman team back on top

The unstoppable team of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo is at No. 1 on the graphic books hardcover bestseller list this week, with “Batman: The City of Owls,” in which the caped crusader combats an evil tied to the earliest days of Gotham City. The top spot is not unfamiliar to Snyder and Capullo; they were there last month with “Batman: Night of the Owls,” another chapter in the superhero's battle against the Court of Owls.

The main problem with “Night of the Owls” was the supplemental parts of the saga, which took place in issues of “Nightwing,” “Batgirl,” “Batwing” and other series. Some of them were good, some of them were not. “The City of Owls” delivers more of the main event; this collected edition is more tightly focused on the issues they worked on. The script is action-packed and emotional, while the artwork is detailed and dynamic. It is one of the most solid interpretations of Bruce Wayne and Batman.

On a sadder note, Carmine Infantino, one of the giants of the comic book industry, died on Thursday. He was 87. Infantino was particularly noted for his work on the Flash, but he also added to the Batman mythology, including the addition of the yellow oval to Batman's chest emblem in 1964 and the creation of Batgirl in 1967. His artwork has inspired many who followed in his footsteps.

Source: nytimes.com