Tags
Batman, Batman #95, Batman #95 review, DC Comics, Gotham, James Tynion IV, Joege Jimenez, Joker, Joker War, Joker War Part 1, Lucius Fox, Punchline, Tommy Morey
Batman #95
Review by Paul Bowler
Joker War gets underway in earnest in Batman #95 as the Clown Prince of Crime and the Dark Knight prepare to square off for their greatest battle yet! The Joker’s motivations have changed. He’s gone all out to gain the upper hand, and Joker is hell bent on ensuring this will be the final chapter in their eternal conflict. Batman’s life is already in ruins and Joker War has only just begun!
The much touted final showdown between Batman and the Joker explodes — quite literally — in the pages of Batman #95 with Part One of writer James Tynion IV’s highly anticipated Joker War. Following the shock revelation of the Designer’s true identity and Joker having now seized control of the Wayne fortune, the issue quickly establishes the dramatic shift in the Joker’s goals with an insightful flashback to Batman’s early years as he races in the Batmobiile to a previous showdown with the Joker, and Tynion skilfully uses this opportunity to tug at our heart strings as the conversation between Alfred and Batman highlights some particularly striking parallels between past and present circumstances.
Indeed, the fallout from Alfred’s death seems to permeate virtually every aspect of this issue for Batman. Never has Batman needed his oldest, most trusted friend more, and never has he seemed so desperately alone without him. As we rejoin events in the present day Tynion dramatically relays how Bruce’s fortune, Gotham, and even the law have all been taken by the Joker and turned against the Dark Knight. Even Lucius Fox has succumbed to the Joker’s influence, thus giving the Clown Prince of Crime access to all the wonderful toys, and the GCPD has been rendered powerless because of the Underwriter’s legal machinations. Everything that made Batman what he was has been completely stripped away and the Dark Knight is now effectively on the run.
Joege Jimenez’s art for Batman #95 is sumptuously rendered and vividly detailed. The opening flashback, which dovetails sublimely into a high octane Batmobile chase, together with the gloriously gloomy depiction of Gotham, the tantalising glimpse of a new Bat-Suit that’s highly reminiscent of the ice-tech look of George Clooney’s final costume in Batman & Robin (minus the nipples thankfully), and Batman’s face-off with Punchline are all action-packed moments that are beautifully realised by Jimenez’s impressive artwork and Tommy Morey’s exquisite colors. For me though the biggest highlight of the issue was the Joker splurging the cash as he returned to the very origins of the legacy of the Bat itself in the most macabre way imaginableIt! It’s a brilliant, creepy scene, and genuinely chilling.
That aforementioned showdown between Batman and Punchline is another great moment in this issue. Although I found Punchline’s debut a few issues previously something of an anti-climax after all the hype surrounding her, she’s beginning to grow on me a little bit now, and her fight with Batman in the compromised Mini-Bat-Cave saw significant improvements in the characterisation and depiction of the Joker’s new partner.
As cliffhangers go, this issues a doozy, and I can’[t wait to see how Dark Knight fights his way out of this one! Batman #95 provides a bombastic opening salvo to Joker War and certainly gets this major DC Comics Bat-Event off to a great start. Tynion’s run on Batman continues to go from strength to strength with every issue, he’s really firing on all cylinders now, and the art team on this book is also doing a fantastic job. So, will Joker War really turn out to be this much hyped final conflict between the Joke and Batman? No, I don’t believe that for a moment either, but it sure looks like we are going to be in for a battle Royale whatever happens after the dust has settled in the wake of this epic Batman event!
Publisher:DC Comics
Writer: James Tynion IV / Artist Joege Jimenez
Colors: Tommy Morey / Letters: Clayton Cowles
Cover: Jimenez & Morey / Joker Variant Cover: Francesco Mattina
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
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Do you think Alfred is truly dead? Or will he return some how?
Well, Bane snapped Alfred’s neck so I guess unless his death was faked somehow (the option I still hope for) or there’s a big reboot that resets the whole DCU again, it looks like Alfred is going to stay dead. I think it was a poor move by DC Comics to kill off Alfred. It was so senseless and brutally done. If iAlfred had died of something like just old age and dementia say, it would have at least have been more meaningful, and resonated with readers more than just having Bane kill him.
Ouch, that’s brutal! I didn’t even really know he was dead (I think you or Lashaan might have mentioned it in another review, but it didn’t really stick with me). I’m guessing he’s dead until the next reboot, sigh…
Yeah it is a shame they killed Alfred off so needlessly. No doubt the next reboot or relaunch or whatever will bring him back somehow. It wears you down a bit, all these pointless changes or deaths that are only done to grab headlines. Sadly its a trend that seems to be more prevalent than ever in comics now. All style with little substance or characterisation.
There’s no way Alfred can stay dead. He’s too iconic. He’s just as iconic as the Batmobile and the Batcave. You can have Batman without a Robin, but not without Alfred!
I totally agree. I think it was a terrible idea for DC Comics to kill off Alfred like they did. It just seemed so pointless and has left a hell of a mess. I’m sure they’ll bring him back eventually in some inevitable reboot or something later though. The original Robin, Dick Grayson / Nightwing, has also been poorly treated in recent years as he got shot in the head by KGB Beast, lost his memory and became Ric Grayson, gave up being a hero, and is now back again after being brainwashed into believing he’s the Joker’s son in Joker War! The writing for Batman is ok now, but the rest of the Bat-Family are really suffering at the hands of poor creative teams atm.
Sometimes I wonder if the writers of comic books shouldn’t put a brake on all the wild character changes. Less shock and novelty, more steady development, in my opinion, would make for better stories overall.
My thoughts exactly. There has been to much focus on big, attention grabbing changes, and endless non-events. Some characters have really suffered as a result. Creative teams need shaking up, but I think they need stronger input editorially to reign things in when they are clearly not working. That said, I think Tynion has done a good job following on from Tom King’s inferior and divisive run. Joker War seems to be geared on being a major shake up and it will hopefully get the Bat-Family properly back on track. Fingers crossed.
Really looking forward to picking this up. Although we all know this is not their final conflict I do hope that at least they hold off on future conflicts for at least a good while so that this story arc could feel more resonant.
I’ve been looking forward to Joker War as well. I hope it shakes things up and gets the whole Bat Family of comics back on a more even keel. Also agree that this should probably be the last big Joker story for a while. He’s been done to death and back again – quite literally – so it would be good to rest the character for a while and that would certainly make the impact of events in Joker War feel much more relevant and game changing.
That is one fine cover art!
I really like this cover art as well, its so striking!
This was a superb start to “Joker War” with a gripping and tense script from James Tynion and Jorge Jimenez’s art is something to behold. He seems to just be getting better and better.
Like yourself Paul, Punchline grew on me a bit this issue – I felt there was a lot more impact with the character and was quite formidable. She’ll never be Harley Quinn but I can see her making her mark.
No, we can’t believe for a second this is going to be the last showdown between Batman and the Joker (just like we know Alfred will be back) but fingers crossed this story remains engaging. I remember Tom King teased before wrapping up his run that something huge is planned for issue #100, that has me intrigued!
I think Joker War is the event that I’ve been most looking forward to form DC Comics, and I’m pleased it has got off to such a great start. The combination of Tynion and Jimenez on this book works so well, a great team. Punchline does seem to be making her mark now and I hope this trend continues, Batman #100 is shaping up to be an epic sized issue for this showdown as the Joker and Batman face off. I hope Joker War gets redresses the balance and gets the Bat Family back on track, especially the whole Ric Grayson / Nightwing situation that has just been awful to see. Perhaps DC are moving towards a reboot of sorts after Death Metal and Generation 5, who knows? Let’s just hope it brings Alfred back somehow.
Oh, Alfred will definitely be back. He’s died in the comics before (in the 1950s I think) and no-one ever stays dead in comics. The funny thing is that it was actually DC’s decision for him to die during Tom King’s run, I wouldn’t be surprised if he returns in #100…or at least set it up.
Ah, yes, I recall that’s when Alfred did indeed die at that point as well. Like you say, death is never permanent in comic books. Yes, it was DC’s move to kill off Alfred, but I’m sure he will be back soon and it wouldn’t surprise me either if its in issue #100. Perhaps Alfred’s death was faked somehow, maybe ti was a duplicate Bane killed or Clayface in disguise, or DC could be going the whole line wide reboot route after Death Metal and Generation 5? Either way I’ve high hope that Tynion will deliver a good story. Been really impressed by his run on Batman so far.
Ah, I really like that Clayface idea Paul – quick, get DC on the phone!!!
Is Generation 5 still going ahead? I may be wrong but thought that was shelved after Dan Didio’s departure – I may be (and probably am) wrong though.
Thanks! I think the Clayface option would be a great way to explain what happen to Alfred and how he could have potentially faked his death. I tried phoning DC comics bus they keep hanging up LOL! I’m not sure ab out G5m that seems to change every week now. think its sleeved now Didio’s gone, but that some elements might still play out. I still think DC will go for a complete line-wide reboot after Death Metal or something instead now.
I love, LOVE the illustration style. It’s cheeky and menacing all at once.
Joege Jimenez’s artwork has been really outstanding on the run of Batman, it captures the quirky dark tone for this storyline perfectly.