Tags
Alfred, Batman, Batman #86, Batman #86 review, Brice Wayne, Catwoman, City of Bane, Danny Miki, DC Comics, Deathstroke, Gotham, James Tynion IV, Lucius Fox, Nightclimber, Slade Wilson, Tony S. Daniel
Batman #86
Review by Paul Bowler.
A new era begins in Batman #86, but the Dark Knight’s world has changed forever. Bane is defeated and one of Batman’s oldest allies is dead. Now as Batman begins to rebuild his life and embarks on his bold new vision for Gotham, Deathstroke arrives in town, hired under a deadly new contract that threatens everything Batman is striving to achieve…
New series writer James Tynion IV takes the helm of DC Comics flagship Batman title for this next chapter in the life of the Dark Knight, together with the epic new art team of Tony S. Daniel and Danny Miki, for a story that instantly sets the tone for an entirely new directions as Batman starts to pick up the pieces after Alfred’s death. Their Dark Designs Part 1 gives us poignant insight into Batman’s radical new approach towards Gotham, indeed Alfred Pennyworth’s untimely demise in City of Bane inevitably hangs heavily over this issue, and consequently because of these opening scenes it also resonates just as powerfully in the wake of Batman’s confrontation with Deathstroke as well.
Batman has other allies though who will seem to be just as crucial to the Dark Knight’s designs during Tynion’s run. So, with Catwoman undercover and working a room full of Gotham’s high-fliers at the New Wayne Campus and Lucius Fox crafting Batman new and ever more wonderful toys in an immense subbasement workshop, Batman is free to deal with the lethal contract killers he’s been monitoring. Tynion is clearly going all-out with some new, and inventive technological innovations for the Dark Knight’s arsenal, and this issue sees the debut of the perhaps Batman’s most fearsome vehicle to date – the Nightclimber!
Needless to say the artwork that graces the pages of Batman #86 is little short of phenomenal. The pencils by Tony S. Daniel combined with Danny Miki’s inks are like a match made in heaven, and together with the vibrant colors by Tomeu Morey this issue is a veritable feast for the senses. From the opening rain-swept scenes over Gotham with a contemplative Batman, to witnessing the hired killers gathering in secret, and the deft inter-cutting between Batman’s conversations, first with Catwoman and then Lucius, there is a rich fluidity and consistency to the art that is staggeringly beautiful. Of course, Deathstroke is the one who has been brought in to lead this band of hired killers and the showdown with Slade Wilson – though brief – is still impressively depicted.
Closing things out with an intriguing mystery, a night sky full of memories, and a dark epilogue Batman #86 gets the new creative teams run off to a pretty good start. However, Batman #86 follows what has arguably been one of the most divisive runs in recent times for Batman comics. So is Batman #86 a bold new era or damage control? I honestly cannot decide as this issue felt like a little of both to me. I still feel that Tom King’s run has done immeasurable harm to the legacy of the Dark Knight, but, if anyone can fix things I’m sure James Tynion IV is the man to do it. Fingers crossed, eh?
Publisher: DC Comics Writer: James Tynion IV
Pencils: Tony S. Daniel Inks: Danny Miki Colors: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles Cover Tony S Daniel & Tomeu Morey
About The Author
Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook
Sci-Fi Jubilee 
Glad you enjoyed this issue of Batman Paul – I have a review of it myself coming this weekend. I know of your feelings on King’s run, the majority of which I enjoyed – it may have been divisive but it was still DC’s top-selling book (and they wouldn’t have given him a 12 issue Batman/Catwoman series if it was that bad – I think his run is probably ‘The Last Jedi’ of Batman comics) so I don’t think this is damage control as such, just a new beginning with a new creative team (always inevitable in comics) and I like what I’ve seen in #86!
Cheers Chris, was nice to write about Batman again after such a long time. Yeah, I’ve not been a fan of King’s run, I tried, but I just didn’t like it. It was indeed still one of DC’s best sellers, but sales did dip during King’s run. I guess the Bat-Cat story will round things off for him. Totally agree, and great comparison with it being the Last Jedi of Bat comics. Will be interesting to see what Tynion does, can’t wait. I hope Alfred’s death gets retconned somehow. Cheers for commenting and will look forward to reading your thoughts on the issue as well. 🙂
Well, nothing is ever permanent in comics and I definitely think Alfred will return eventually (ahem *Lazarus Pit*)…he’s actually died before, in the 1950s I think, or possibly earlier so it isn’t the first time!
Agreed, I’m sure they will bring Alfred back eventually. Hopefully Tynion will be able to reverse it somehow, or no doubt an inevitable reboot at some point will make it happen.
Oh he’ll definitely be back, I’m certain of it. Alfred’s absence may actually be good in some ways, dramatically, and make for an interesting storyline when he does return. Right now, I’m enjoying the increased role for Lucius.
I’m sure he will too. His demise could very well work, especially with Tynion at the helm. Nice to see Lucius getting my time in the spotlight as well. I’m looking foward to seeing more of the Nightclimber, what a great vehicle!
Love the cover! Classic look. Alfred is such an important and beloved character, I’m sure he’ll come back somehow!
I really liked this cover as well, can’t beat the classic look for Batman! Yes, Alfred is a key character so his loss is keenly felt, but I hope they bring him back soon. Sure they will as well, either his death was faked somehow or it’ll be erased by the next inevitable reboot or something. 🙂