Batman #97 Review

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Alfred Pennyworth, Batman, Batman #97, Batman #97 review, DC Comcis, Gotham, Harley Quinn, James Tynion IV, Joker, Joker Toxin, Joker War, Joker War Part 3, Punchline

Batman #97

Review by Paul Bowler

Part three of Joker War sees unfolds in Batman #97 with almost maniacal glee. With Joker’s army terrorising Gotham, the Dark Knight reels from the nightmarish visions induced by Punchline’s deadly new Joker Toxin, and the mysterious new vigilante Clownhunter begins to make his presence felt. As Joker plots his next move Batman must regain his grip on reality to strike back and reclaim his city, or Gotham will soon fall before the horror the Clown Prince of Crime has unleashed…

When it comes to ramping up the tension, horror, and action writer James Tynion IV excels on every level. Batman #97 is literally bursting at the seams with fresh developments in the Joker War saga. The Joker’s new squeeze, Punchline, is busy at the docks overseeing a new consignment of ingredients for her souped up Joker toxin destined for Axis Chemicals, when she learns that there’s a new kid on the block, Clownhunter, who seems to be making things pretty toasty for the Joker\s Clown-faced goons in the Narrows and Punchline’s none too happy about it either!

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Batman is still in the grip of the new Joker Toxin and its horrific hallucinogenic effects as he confronts Joker’s nanobot zombies at the Monarch Theatre. The action and suspense is brilliantly handled by Tynion in these scenes as Batman struggles against a threat that is an unnerving blend of reality and ghoulish illusion. The Dark Knight even believes he’s conversing with an imaginary phantom of Alfred over his cowls coms link at one point — the voice of his dearly departed friend uncannily providing the tenuous anchor he needs to focus and survive the chaos closing in around him.

Joege Jimenez is really hitting his stride now with his artwork for DC Comics flagship Batman title, and he’s clearly having a blast with the all-out action in this issue. The flashback to Clownhunter’s vigilante antics in the Narrows are a real standout moment that offers further insight into this new character. Jimenez’s rendition of the battle in the Monarch Theatre is a veritable tour-de-force of beautifully orchestrated combat, horror, dynamic panel layouts, and explosive action — while Joker and Punchline’s chilling tête-à-tête as they survey the carnage across Gotham provides our first proper glimpse into what makes their relationship tick. Colorist   Tomeu Morey also pulls out all the stops with an assured use of tone and shade to make this another stunning looking issue of Batman especially the scenes set in the Monarch Theatre and Harley Quinn’s secret hideaway.

The frantic pace of Batman #97 builds to a final scene that could well provide what we’ve all been waiting for since Joker War started, however, will this glimmer of salvation prove the guiding light Batman desperately needs in his darkest hour or will it send him over the edge completely? 

Needless to say, this is an unmissable issue of Batman. If you’ve been enjoying Joker War so far, Batman #97 will totally blow your mind. You know, every once in a while a comic book creative team just seems to click and capture lightening in a bottle. Tynion, Jimenez and Morey are doing just that right now and proving to be winning team for this book! 

Publisher: DC Comics / Writer: James Tynion IV

Artist Joege Jimenez / Colors: Tomeu Morey

Letters: Clayton Cowles / Cover: Guillem March & Tomeu Morey

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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

 

Batman Eternal #51 Review

Tags

Alvaro Martinze, Batman, Batman Eternal, Batman Eternal #51, Cluemaster, comics, DC Comcis, James Tynion IV, June Chung, Kyle Higgins, Raul Fernandez, Ray Fawkes, Scott Snyder, Tim Seeley

Batman Eternal #51

Review by Paul Bowler

Gotham City is burning. The crisis is spiralling out of control, villains are running wild, even the Dark Knights allies are struggling to cope. As the GCPD plan their next move, Catwoman reinforces her authority as Gotham’s Kingpin of crime. Batman raced to the Beacon Tower to confront the mastermind behind it all – the Cluemaster! Now, beaten and tied to the shattered Bat-Signal, it would seem that Batman has been completely outwitted and utterly defeated by Cluemaster. But is Cluemaster really the master criminal, or is there another waiting to be revealed..?

Cluemaster has emerged from the shadows as the major antagonist of Batman Eternal! Now the fallout from last issues cliff-hanger unfolds in Batman Eternal #51, in this story from writers Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV, featuring a great script also by James Tynion IV, and consulting writers Ray Fawkes, Kyle Higgins and Tim Seeley, as the year long weekly Batman series’ penultimate issue delvers its most shocking twist of all!

Bound to the Bat-Signal, Batman must endure yet more hardship as his identity is callously stripped away, it echoes the opening moments from Batman Eternal #1, and Cluemaster is certainly not messing about either. While he basks in the glory of his apparent victory, we learn how Cluemaster set about brining his grand scheme together. Its ingenious to say the least, it seem the misdirection it caused worked both ways, and its staggering to think what this second-rate Riddler-knock off has managed to achieve.

Meanwhile, the Bat-Family do what they can to help the citizens of Gotham, but they cannot be everywhere at once. As Catwoman cracks the whip to keep the crime families in line, over at the GCPD, the situation looks grim, and its up to Jim Gordon to inspire Commissioner Bard to step up to the plate and be the commissioner the city needs. The brief interlude featuring Bluebird and Spoiler is a great moment for both characters, Harper’s exchange with Stephanie is rooted in the very essence of everything Batman stands for, and it’s a great defining moment for Bluebird – and its one that makes me like the character more than ever.

The art by Alvaro Martinze is stunning, every scene from Tynion’s exciting script is stylishly rendered, and the action flows seamlessly along at a cracking pace. The opening scenes are ablaze with high-drama, with the cape and cowl fluttering down into the flaming streets, before events shift between Catwoman’s nightclub, the GCPD, and finally Harper’s confrontation with Spoiler. Alvaro Martinze’s superbly conveys the flashbacks detailing Cluemaster’s scheme with his cohorts, and the ferocity of Bruce’s battle with Cluemaster is also really intense and brutal. Raul Fernandez’s inks enhance every detail, and the colors by June Chung are really bold and striking.

Of course the Bat is never defeated is he? As we might have expected Batman manages to get free and give Cluemaster a good kicking, but in his weakened state even the Dark Knight struggles, his punches lack power, and the moment Cluemaster has been waiting for is finally here. So, is the Cluemaster really the big-bad of Batman Eternal, or has this been just another red herring to keep us all guessing? Well, although he may have brought Batman to the brink of his greatest defeat, let’s just say that Cluemaster soon finds out just how cutthroat and unpredictable things can get when you attempt to step up into the big league of the major villains!

The year-long Bat-Epic is almost over! Batman Eternal #51 is terrific issue, by the final, shocking page, this issue will have sunk its claws in deep, and you will be left reeling by another shocking surprise cliff-hanger!

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