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Robin #1 Review

27 Tuesday Apr 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, DC Comics

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Alfred Pennyworth, Batman, Conner Hawke, Damian Wayne, DC Comics, Flatline, Gleb Melnikov, Joshua Williamson, League of Lazarus, NCB, Respawn, Robin, Robin #1, Robin #1 Review, Rose Wilson, Teen Titans

Robin #1

Review by Paul Bowler.

Damian Wayne strikes out on his own in Robin #1, DC Comics brand new ongoing series  from writer Joshua Williamson and artist Gleb Melnikov. Having cut all ties with Batman and the Teen Titans, Damian will have to emerge from the shadows cast by both of sides of his parentage to forge his own legacy.  Embarking on a quest to earn a place in the deadly League of Lazarus tournament, the teenage Robin uncovers new mysteries and allies as he seeks the prestige of proving himself the greatest fighter in the DC Universe! 

Damian Wayne is probably the most exciting and dynamic character in the extended Bat-Family that’s been crying out for his own series for a while now, and writer Joshua Williamson  is  clearly  going to address the emotional fallout from City of Bane and send Damian on a heroes journey of self discovery with this opening story-arc. Having gone off the grid completely Damian must find the secret island where the League of Lazarus tournament is being held. That means a cage fight with King Snake, some kick ass action, and the acquisition of a marker to enter the tournament. There’s time for some reflection along the way, we also have the reintroduction of established characters like Rose Wilson and Conner Hawke, and brand new faces like Flatline and ReSpawn for Robin to meet as well.

Gleb Melnikov’s engaging artwork brings a dynamic Manga-like look that is a perfect fit for this series and a character like Damian. Alfred’s death has impacted powerfully across the whole of the Bat-Family, none more so than for Damian, and Melnikov crafts some hauntingly moving scenes with the young Robin mulling over his plans with an imaginary spectral Pennyworth watching over him. The action scenes in the cage fight with King Snake and the journey to the island are also rendered with vibrant detail. 

This premier issue kicks off an important story in the DCU that will examine Damian’s connections to Batman and Talia Al Ghul like never before as Robin searches to find out the why his mother and father kept the League of Lazarus  tournament a secret from him. There’s also a great mix of new and old characters for Damian to interact with, especially Rose Wilson, Conner, and the intriguing Respawn – a character with a distinct penchant for copyright infringement!

There’s a wealth of potential here for Damian to grow and evolve as a character in this series. All-in-all Robin #1 sets up the new series and its premise very well. Joshua Williamson and Gleb Melnikov make for an inspired creative team, and its great to see Damian finally getting a  long overdue stint in the limelight with his own book. 

Publisher DC Comics

Writer Joshua Williamson / Artist Gleb Melnikov

Lettering ALW’s Troy Peteri Cover & Variant Gleb Melnikov 

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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

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Future State Robin Eternal #1 Review

12 Tuesday Jan 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, DC Comics

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

Batman, DC Comics, Eddy Barrdow, Future State, Future State Robin Eternal # review, Future State Robin Eternal #1, Magistrate, Megan Fitzmartin, NCBD, Robin, Robin Eternal #1 review, Spoiler, Stephanie Brown

Future State Robin Eternal #1

Review by Paul Bowler

Future State Robin Eternal #1 provides a thrilling, action-packed new chapter in DC Comics line-wide Future State comic book event as Robin strikes back against the Magistrate’s oppressive regime in Gotham. A regenerative drug that could make his cybernetic forces immortal is en route to the city. Robin and Spoiler must embark on a daring heist at 20,000 feet to intercept it, but will Tim and Stephanie Brown’s emotional baggage jeopardise their mission or prove the key to its success?

DC Comics Future State has so far provided an intriguing glimpse into a possible future for the publishers core titles and characters. Future State Robin Eternal might not be the most catchy sounding addition to the line-up on glancing at the solicitations but new rising star writer Megan Fitzmartin (Supernatural)  has clearly brought her A game to the table for this jaunt into a future vision of Gotham, and fans of Tim Drake’s Robin and his former girlfriend Stephanie Brown, a.k.a Spoiler, will find plenty to enjoy here. Tim Drake’s Robin  has been pushed from pillar to post somewhat in recent times, so its great to see him being put front and centre like this in Future State.

Megan Fitzmartin crafts a fast-paced, action-driven story, laced with strong emotional beats for the character. It seems that Tim has soldiered on alone as Robin as the Magistrate’s regime took over Gotham – banning the masks and costumed vigilantes with his advanced technology and cybernetically enhanced forces. Believing that Batman, Bruce Wayne, has been killed, along with the betrayal of Jason Todd, and Dick Grayson in Arkham, this lone Robin is desperate to find a way to stop the shipment of a new drug derived from the Lazarus Pit that can make the Cybers unbeatable. Fitzmartin skilfully highlights just how Stephanie’s and Tim’s former history still makes things strained between them, and there’s a welcome reunion with an old We Are Robin member as well that’s also beautifully written into the narrative.

This futuristic looking Gotham is realised with some pretty amazing artwork too. With pencils  by Eddy Barrdows (Detective Comics), inks by Eber Ferreira, and colors by Adriana Lucas, Future State Robin Eternal boasts a distinctly vibrant, almost Cyberpunk vibe that dynamically cascades across the stylish page layouts. From the stunning rainswept opening battle between Robin and the hulking Cyber high on the new prototype drug, through to Tim’s emotional scenes with Spoiler, along with his reunion with Darcy, and the inevitable team-up with Robin leading his allies on an exciting Mission Impossible style heist to intercept the shipment of the Lazarus Resin are  all just some of the many highlights brilliantly crafted by the artistic team for this impressive looking issue. 

While I don’t tend to go in for comic book events that much I have to say I’ve found Future State quite entertaining so far — from the issue I’ve read anyway. Future State Robin Eternal #1’s creative team seizes the premise of this possible future and runs with it for all its worth. The ensuing result proves extremely satisfying indeed, Future State Robin Eternal is a veritable showcase of creative verve, and the issues thrilling cliffhanger provides a great hook to bring us back for the conclusion in the next issue.

Publisher DC Comics

Writer Megan Fitzmartin / Pencils Eddy Barrdows 

Inks Eber Ferreira / Colorist Adriana Lucas

Letterer Pat Brosseau Cover Irvin Rodriguez & Emanuela Lupacchino

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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

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Batman #101 Review

20 Tuesday Oct 2020

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, DC Comics

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

Batman, Batman #101, Batman #101 review, Bruce Wayne, Catwoman, Clownhunter, DC Comics, Gotham, Guillem March, James Tynion IV, Joker, Joker War, Lucius Fox, Punchline, Robin, Tomeu Morey

Batman #101

Review by Paul Bowler

A new dawn rises over Gotham City in Batman #101 as the dust settles in the aftermath of Joker War. The full impact of the Joker’s reign of terror and the effect its had on the citizens of the city is now realised in the cold light of day. Batman chooses a bold new path for his war on crime as Bruce Wayne’s life is changed forever, and why exactly is Cole Cash – a.k.a.-Grifter, now working for Lucius Fox?

It’s time to ring in the changes as writer James Tynion IV sets out a new direction for the Dark Knight in this somber, emotional and reflective issue of Batman. Joker War might be over but the fallout from what the Clown Prince of Crime did to the city using the Wayne fortune will have long lasting ramifications for Bruce Wayne. Tynion delivers some terrific character moments for Batman and Lucius Fox as they reevaluate their lives in the wake of the traumatic  events they each suffered, both mentally and physically, during Joker War. Fox now has control of the Wayne fortune, the board of Wayne Enterprises want Bruce quietly sidelined from the company, and Batman is going to have to tighten his utility belt with a more cash strapped, low-tech, approach to crime fighting.

Guillem March’s strikingly detailed artwork for Batman #101 brings vivid clarity to the events in this issue. Numerous pages are awash with swapping vistas of Gotham as Batman looks back on simpler times, where Commissioner Gordon always stood by the Bat-Signal, Robin fought by the Dark Knight’s side, and Alfred was ever present in the Bat-Cave to offer advice.  Now all these constants in Batman’s life are gone, March’s artwork beautifully encapsulates these reflective, emotionally charged moments, whilst Tomeu Morey’s subtle colors heightens them perfectly in the Dark Knight’s powerful scenes with Lucius Fox and his tender soul-searching moments with Catwoman. Batman’s no-holds-bared fight with Lucius Fox’s new bodyguard, Grifter, is another highlight as well.

Along with having Bruce relocating his operations as Batman to a more modest location in Gotham, Tynion also acknowledges what Joker War will mean for Bat and the Cat relationship now. Tough decisions need to be made to accommodate the new status quo Bruce has adopted to allow himself to work off the grid as leaner, more self-sufficient Batman, and Catwoman being the number one target of Gotham’s underworld after stealing the Wayne fortune back from the Underwriter isn’t exactly going to make things any easier for them or their relationship going forwards.

Brief mentions of Punchline’s media message and Clownhunter’s vigilante antics also get thrown into the mix to keep those plot lines bubbling away in the background for future issue to explore. Although this issue comes across initially as being rather downbeat after Joker War, there’s a distinct move by Tynion here to really start to place his stamp of the character with a more back-to-basics approach. With its excellent character driven narrative by James Tynion IV and terrific artwork by Guillem March, Batman #101 heralds a new beginning for the Dark Knight – in more way than one!

Publisher: DC Comics

Writer: James Tynion IV / Artist: Guillem March

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

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Batman and Robin Eternal #1 Review

07 Wednesday Oct 2015

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, DC Comics

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

Batman, Batman and Robin Eternal #1, Batman and Robin Eternal #1 review, Bluebird, Bruce Wayne, Cassandra Cain, DC Comics, Dick Grayson, Gotham City, James Tynion IV, Jason Todd, Mother, Red Hood, Red Robin, Robin, Scarecrow, Scott Snyder, The Orphan, Tim Drake, Tony S. Daniel

Batman and Robin Eternal #1

Review by Paul Bowler

DC Comics new weekly comic series Batman and Robin Eternal #1 is finally here! This sequel to the hugely successful weekly series Batman Eternal will focus on Robin and the many characters that have been involved in the Dark Knights legacy as Robins, and will form a major Bat-Family story event to celebrate Robin’s 75th Anniversary!

Years ago, Batman and Robin tackled one of the most unsettling cases of their careers, when they brought down a secret organization run by a ruthless human trafficker – a mysterious woman known as Mother. Although Dick Grayson never fully appreciated the true scale of the case back then, those dark secrets from the past are returning to haunt him and everyone who ever worked alongside Batman. Now Bruce Wayne is no longer Batman, Dick Grayson and his allies must deal with the menace without him. But who can really be trusted, is someone amongst them not quite who they seem, and who is the silent – yet extremely deadly – young woman swathed in black who has recently arrived in Gotham City in search of Batman?

Batman and Robin Eternal will feature a wealth of characters, villains, international intrigue, plot twists, and a few new additions to the saga of Batman and Robin along the way over the next six months in this new weekly blockbusting DC Comics series from lead writer James Tynion IV, together with Batman writer Scott Snyder, and co-writers Tim Seeley, Steve Orlando, Genevieve Valentine, Ed Brisson, and Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, with lead artist Tony S. Daniel fronting an art team which includes Paul Pelletier, Scott Eaton, and Francis Manapul.

Being the 75th anniversary of Robin the boy wonder, and of course the character of Dick Grayson, the original Robin, this 26 issue weekly series gets off to a exciting start with Batman and Robin Eternal #1, featuring story by James Tynion V & Scott Snyder, script by James Tynion V, with art from Tony Daniel’s, together with inks by Sandu Florea, colors by Tomeu Morey, and letters by Tom Napolitano, we plunge right into the heart of the action as three time lines converge as one. Years ago in Cairo, Egypt, a hooded figure guns down a young boys parents, while Batman and Robin patrol the Gotham skyline in the then, and in present-day Gotham Spryal agent Dick Grayson’s return to the city (see Grayson #12) finds him engaged in a motorbike chase with drugged-up weapons designer. Grayson gets some backup from Red Hood and Red Robin, and soon the action-packed chase is over and the trio quickly capture the high-tech weapons dealer.

Batman and Robin Eternal #1 (Cover)

I really like the strong dynamic between Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake. They make a great team, there’s some fun banter between them as well, and working in a Gotham where Bruce is no longer Batman has clearly strengthened the bond between them. While Dick sets off to deal with some official super-spy business, Red Hood’s opinion of Gotham’s new Dark Knight is brought into sharper focus when Bluebird has a run in with the new Batman, and it seems Harper’s no pushover when it come to dealing with Bat-Bots!

Even though the weekly series takes place in the present-day setting of Gotham, where Bruce Wayne is no long Batman and Jim Gordon has taken over as the new robo-suited Dark Knight, Bruce still have a key role to play. The story revolves around a mystery from the past from back when Dick Grayson was Robin, and Bruce Wayne was the Batman, and involves Mother during Robin’s first globe trotting adventure. Flashbacks to these past events featuring Batman / Bruce Wayne and Robin / Dick Grayson are fleeting in this first issue, but when Grayson’s mission at the reopening of a Gotham University in the present reminds him of his first encounter with Scarecrow when he was Robin, it sets in motion a deadly chain of events that could unleash danger and betrayal on all sides as an unknown figure from the past returns.

It’s also good to see Tony Daniel returning to Gotham City. Tony Daniel’s spent over five years writing drawing Batman comic books and more than three years writing them, so it’s fantastic to see Tony Daniel’s art in Batman and Robin Eternal. Since moving on from Detective Comics in 2012 the writer / artist has worked on a number of projects, including writing and drawing the recent run of Deathstroke. As we might’ve expected, Batman and Robin Eternal provides a welcome reunion for Daniel’s with these iconic characters, and his brilliant artwork on this first issue quickly sets the tone and style of this weekly series. The inks by Sandu Florea are also excellent, highlighting every aspect of Daniel’s art, and the rich colors by Tomeu Morey make this issue look absolutely stunning. Needless to say, the cover for Batman and Robin Eternal #1 by Tony Daniel, Sandu Florea, and Tomeu Morey, is superb, and probably one of the most impressive covers for a new series that I’ve seen in a long time! (There is also a great variant cover by Mikel Janin.)

It’s no secret that the all new, silent and deadly version, of Cassandra Cain makes her welcome debut to the New 52 in Batman and Robin Eternal, and it’s clear her role will be a key factor that drives the narrative of this weekly series. Let’s just say that her appearance during this issue comes at a most unexpected moment, actually it completely wrong-foots you, and it’s a brilliantly handled scene that illustrates her fighting skills perfectly. I’ve always liked Cassandra Cain, she’s a terrific character, and I’m looking forward to discovering more about her role in the events of Batman and Robin Eternal in the weeks ahead.

There are also some good scenes featuring Harper and her brother, Cullen, their bond is as strong as ever, however, it seems Steph isn’t too happy about being left on the sidelines again while Bluebird hit’s the streets. Harper Row is another worthy addition to the Bat-Family, she’s evolved into such a pivotal character since her introduction, and I’m sure Batman and Robin Eternal will give the character a chance really to shine.

Dark secrets wait in the shadows, there’s a message from the past for Dick Grayson, and who is the mysterious Orphan? James Tynion V and Scott Snyder have worked their magic on Batman and Robin Eternal #1, Tynion’s engaging multi-layered script sets a high benchmark for the series, as the story weaves seamlessly between timelines, and the art by Tony Daniel’s is stunning! Batman and Robin Eternal #1 delivers a cracking start to the series, packed from cover to cover with full-throttle action, great characterization, and one of the most jaw-dropping final pages ever its clear we are going to be in for one hell of a ride!

Publisher: DC Comics

Story by James Tynion V & Scott Snyder

Script by James Tynion V

Art: Tony Daniel

Inks: Sandu Florea

Colors: Tomeu Morey

Letters: Tom Napolitano

Cover: Tony Daniel, Sandu Florea, and Tomeu Morey / variant cover: Mikel Janin

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Batman #19 Review

10 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, DC Comics

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Alex Maleev, Basil Karlo, Batman, Bruce Wayne, Clayface, Damien Wayne, Danny Miki, DC Comics, FCO Plascencia, Greg Capullo, James Tynion IV, Reaper, Robin, Scott Snyder, The New 52

Batman #19

Review by Paul Bowler

[Contains Spoilers]

 Batman #19 Cover

With Batman still reeling from the devastating loss of Damien Wayne, an old enemy returns to Gotham City, one who is capable of evading the Dark Knight himself to strike at Bruce Wayne when he lease expects it. The shroud of Robin’s tragic death still hangs like a dark cloud over Batman #19 as Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo explore the depth of Batman’s grief.

It begins ordinarily enough, with Commissioner Gordon and Harvey Bullock dealing with an armed bank robbery. But when Bruce Wayne walks out holding a female hostage at gunpoint, with explosives strapped to her body, things take an inexplicable turn as Bruce pulls a shotgun on Gordon as he makes his escape on a motorbike.

Events then shift back six days where we rejoin the Dark Knight as he studies the Cowl Archives in the Batcave, lost in thought, as he recalls stopping the Reaper’s plan to deliver a truckload of poisonous flowers to the Falcone wake with Damien. As the memory fades Alfred bring news of the Brian Wayde’s death, the architect of the design company that Bruce Wayne hired to build his Gotham Initiative. He was a trusted ally, who was also terminally ill with Myelodyplastic Syndrome, which makes his apparent suicide all the more unsettling.

Batman #19 (Preview 3)

With his suspicious raised, Batman investigates Wayde’s apartment, but it would seem the architect has faked his death when he suddenly emerges from the shadows and attacks Batman with a flame thrower. After a brief fight Wayde flees the scene, using an elevator to escape, Batman gives chase but soon looses track of Wayde after he runs into the subway station. After analysing a sample of Wayd’s blood the DNA seems to match, but traces of a Chimeric Code point towards another, more likely suspect – the shape shifting criminal Clayface.

Batman realises the awful truth, that the mystical clay that infected Basil Karlo and transformed him into Clayface, has somehow begun to mutate its hosts DNA, causing Clayface to actually become the people he mimics while his own DNA is slowly eroded by the clay. Bruce Wayne arranges a meeting with Lucius Fox to organise a new suit for Batman, one that will give him heavy epidermal protection, but he may already be too late as Clayface prepares to strike at his next victim…

Batman #19 allows Scott Snyder to really explore the profound effect that Robin’s death has had on Batman. When we first see Batman it’s almost as if he is maintaining a silent vigil for Damien as he examines the Cowl Archive in the cave. There is a flashback to Batman’s last encounter with the Reaper, where he intercepted his truck and its deadly cargo, where Damien realizes that their exposure to the flowers toxins will kill them both in five minutes. As Batman calmly tells him that antidote is on the Bat-Bike, there is a great moment where Snyder heart-warmingly encapsulates Damien‘s character, as Robin smiles and makes light of them both being dead men walking.

Alfred is unable to broach how Bruce is coping with Damien’s death, his concerns are quickly dismissed, especially when he mentions the damage already inflicted by the Joker after his campaign against Batman and his allies. Batman seems to welcome the distraction of Brian Wayde’s apparent suicide, even though it means dealing with the loss of another close ally, it enables Bruce to withdraw from his grief for a time by focusing on his life beyond the cape and cowl.

The return of Clayface is another welcome surprise, and it offers Snyder a fantastic opportunity to bring a whole new dynamic to yet another classic villain from Batman’s rogue gallery. The bizarre opening scene where Bruce Wayne robs a bank and shoots Jim Gordon suddenly becomes clear. As the Batman examines the DNA evidence that reveals Brian Wayde was really Clayface, we are treated to a fresh look at Basil Karlo’s origin, the actor who allowed the mystical properties of the clay he discovered to infect his body so he could become Clayface. I really enjoyed how Scott Snyder rationalized Clyaface’s abilities with the stories of shape-shifters throughout history: drawing comparisons with examples from the cultures of the Rakashasa and the Kumiho, Norse folklore, and Navajo legends of skin walkers. What makes these accounts all the more compelling is how the shaper-shifter slowly loses themselves after each transformation, their humanity gradually being whittled away, until the very essence of their being is consumed by the magical forces inhabiting their bodies.

Greg Capullo returns this issue to bring his own distinctive style to Snyder’s dark take on the legacy of Clayface, moulding the taught storyline around Batman’s all consuming grief, brining considerable weight and power to the opening moments were Bruce Wayne shoots Commissioner Gordon – as well as the beautifully understated flashback featuring Damien Wayne. The inks by Danny Miki bring an added depth, and the colours by FCO Plascencia are also excellent. I really like how Capullo manages to capture how Clayface has become so immersed in the character of Bruce Wayne that he doesn’t even seem to realize what great secrets he now holds within his rapidly diminishing DNA. There is even a reference towards Snyder and Capullo’s next story arc, Zero Year, by Gordon, which continues to resonate long after Wayne‘s “doppelganger” has escaped the scene. As a villain, Clayface has enjoyed something of a renascence of late. In the past he has often gotten a bit of a raw deal, being portrayed as just a super powered brute, without any real focus or cohesive storyline. Snyder and Capullo have really taken the potential that Clayface has to offer and built on it, taking the concept of identity theft and possession to the extreme, while also underlining the awful truth of what price Clayface is unwittingly suffering for his incredible powers.

Batman #19 (Preview 4)

This month’s backup story, Ghost Lights, is by James Tynion IV and Alex Maleev. It features Batman and Superman as they investigate the strange happening at a rundown apartment block. Having travelled to see how Batman is coping after Robin’s death, Superman’s attempt to get the Dark Knight to open up about what happened to Damien is cut short when a bizarre incident occurs inside the building and draws their attention. As they make their way towards the apartment Superman begins to feel unwell. Once inside they discover that a dark ritual has been performed, one that has unleashed a terrifying supernatural entity.

I really enjoyed the first part of this new back up story. This dark supernatural tale by Tynion draws Batman and Superman together in the most improbable of circumstances. I like how Superman was as uncomfortable about the magical forces inside the building as Batman was about discussing Damien’s death. Another great aspect about Ghost Lights is the art by Alex Maleeve, which really helped build the spooky atmosphere of the story.

Batman #19 also features a striking gatefold cover by Capullo and FCO Plascencia that really blindsides you about what to expect from the story, and it keeps you guessing about where Clayface will strike next right up until the final moments. This is a terrific issue by Snyder and Capullo, it brings a whole new element to Clayface’s powers, and goes to great lengths to underpin the Dark Knights grief in a story where not everyone is quite what they seem.

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Batman #17 Review

13 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, DC Comics

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Alfred, Arkham Asylum, Batgirl, Batman, Damien, DC Comics, Death of the Family, FCO Plascencia, Greg Capullo, Jason Todd, Jonathan Glampion, Nightwing, Red Robin, Robin, Scott Snyder, The Joker, The New 52

Batman #17

Review by Paul Bowler

[Contains Spoilers]

 Batman #17 (Cover)

It swoops from the shadows as the Dark Knight begins to regain consciousness, the dark emissary of his own soul, stripped to the bone and ready to steel his resolve in this, quite possibly, his darkest hour against the Joker. The final chapter of Scott Snyder’s phenomenal Death of The Family drags you kicking and screaming into the light, ripping away the blindfolds, and fixing our unblinking eyes on every panel of Greg Capullo’s art as the macabre delights of Batman #17 electrify our synapses.

The banquet that the Joker has prepared for Batman is one of his most abhorrent schemes yet. Still strapped to his makeshift throne, Batman wakes in a dark cavern at the head of a long table. The rest of the Bat-Family are also bound to their chairs and seated with him. Dinner is ready to be served, with the table drenched in gasoline and rigged to explode to prevent Batman’s escape; he can do nothing but watch in horror as Alfred shambles into the cave. Driven out of his mind, and dosed with Joker toxin, Batman’s loyal friend obeys the Joker’s commands and prepares to serve the “family” meal…

Batman #17 (Preview 1)

With his friends overwhelmed by the horror of the banquet before them, Joker teases them all with a lit match. But the Joker hasn’t taken into account the Batman’s knowledge of the cave system, as the table becomes a raging inferno Batman breaks free and fires a charge at the ceiling that breaches an underground stream – flooding the room and dousing the flames. While the Joker tries to escape through the cave system, Batman frees his friends before giving chase. He catches up with the Joker, who tries to behead him with an axe, but as they fight the Bat-Family become exposed to a deadly new form of the Joker Toxin and violently turn against each other.

Batman and Joker face off on the edge of huge drop, where masks finally have no meaning, and the Dark Knight manages to turn the Clown Prince of Crime’s nefarious joke against him. Twisting everything the Joker professed to hold against him, using it to chip away at the last great divide between them, the one line in their nightmarish game of wits that only the Batman could ever be willing cross…

Even in defeat the Joker slips from his grasp, plunging into the waters below, leaving Batman’s family to recover from the horrific trauma the Joker inflicted upon them. Bruce oversees Alfred’s recovery at Wayne Manor, making a startling confession that only Alfred could truly understand. Alone in the cave Bruce studies the analysis of the new toxin Joker used to make the Bat-Family fight each other, and it is here, as  he gazes at the cold glow of the computer screen that the Joker’s greatest punch line is finally revealed.

With Batman #17 Scott Snyder beings the story of the Joker’s return full circle. Ever since the Joker broke into GCPD to retrieve his face from the evidence locker, leaving Gordon cowering in the darkness as he hears his officer’s necks being snapped one by one, we have been at the mercy of the Joker’s maniacal plan. Right from the outset, even Batman was left reeling when Joker abducted Alfred Pennyworth. After poisoning Gordon he systematically sets his sights on Batman’s allies, Joker’s revelation at the reservoir, that he knows their secret identities, leaves them all badly shaken. Later, when they learn that Joker may have actually found a way into the cave to leave his calling card, they are shocked that Bruce never deemed it necessary to tell them.

Now the final act of Scott Snyder’s masterpiece comes to fruition in Batman #17 after the Dark Knight raced to Arkham Asylum to save his friends from the Joker. As he wakes in the cavern the Joker taunts his captives mercilessly. He attempts to goad Batman into admitting why he has never exposed him or just killed him outright, in spite of all the heinous crimes he’s committed. Joker knows just what a slippery slope that would be for Batman, berating him for not having the courage of his convictions, mocking his allies with a love letter of hatred and lies.

Batman #17 (Preview 2)

Just when you thought you understood where Joker was coming from he summons Alfred, now a shambling wreck of his former self, who deliriously reveals the gastronomic delights the Joker has prepared for them. It is here that Batman #17 transcends all that has gone before, lurching into the realms of pure horror as Batman and his allies are confronted with a nightmare beyond anything they could have possibly imagined – and it is a scene that instantly conjures up images of a similar feast at the end of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

As the cavern explodes in flames Batman breaks free, blasting a hole in the roof to douse the chamber in water. Bruce goes immediately to Damien to make sure he is alright, then releasing Nightwing who tells him to leave them and get after the Joker. Placing his trust in them, Batman races after the Joker, but just after he leaves Batgirl notices something strange about the Joker’s two headed lion cub. A mass between its heads suddenly explodes, spewing out a new form a Joker toxin, one that sends them all into a violent rage, forcing them to attack each another whilst laughing maniacally. The return of the two headed lion cub is an inspired move by Snyder, this creepy little creature superbly illustrates the uncanny symbiosis the Joker shares with Batman, and it effectively places Batman’s allies at each other throats with its deadly cargo, peeling way their psyche as effectively as any scalpel.

Whether Batman knew he was leaving them in grave danger is uncertain, but even when he catches up with the Joker and learns what has happened, his resolve is unshaken. Batman knows they will fight back against the Joker’s toxin, his faith in their spirit is unbreakable, and he believes they are stronger than anything this monster could spawn from his diseased mind. The fact that it is Alfred who brings them to their senses before they kill each other, clearly shows just how much he means to all of them.

The Joker uses his corsage to spray acid into Batman’s face, searing his cowl, but his escape route leads directly to deep chasm. Joker stumbles over the edge but Batman catches him by the arm, holding him suspended over the very drop where the Bat Boat would dive into the Bat-Cave. Here on the edge of this yawning abyss Batman reveals how he has seen through the Joker’s plans, effectively playing him at his own joke, but before he can pull him up Joker lashes out, leaving Batman to watch as he plummets into the dark waters below.

Every page of Greg Capullo’s work on Batman has been astounding. His dark and foreboding take on Gotham City enthralled us in The Court of Owls, the Night of Owls kept us on the edge of our seats, and now with Death of The Family we have been privileged to have Capullo to illustrate one of the most sensational Joker stories of all time. Together with Jonathan Glampion’s distinctive inks and FCO Plascencia’s remarkable colours, Greg Capullo has helped create one of the most distinctive looks the Joker has ever had.

Joker’s rotting face is now even more grotesque than ever in Batman #17, with flies now constantly buzzing around him, the cadaverous grin ends up even more lopsided after a few well placed punches in their climatic showdown. With the masks of flesh and cowl both discarded by the end of this epic encounter, Scott Snyder once again defies our expectations as the closing moments unfold back at Wayne Manor when Bruce tells Alfred  of the time he visited Arkham under the pretence of investing in a new wing for the asylum. After causing a distraction, Bruce visited the Joker’s cell alone and presented him with the calling card, and thereby instantly deducing the truth in the lunatic’s eyes.

Batman #17 (Preview 3)

In this instant we begin to understand why the Joker allowed his face to be removed by the Dollmaker, that his entire ploy to mess with Batman’s mind was ultimately doomed to fail from that moment on, even though the cost would be high for the Bat-Family. Indeed, the actual Death of the Family here is a metaphorical one, as we begin to realise Batman’s allies could never understand the Joker like he does. The physical wounds will heal easily enough, but the psychological scars of this experience will take a long time to fade.

The deeply moving scenes where each member of the Bat-Family makes their excuses not to meet Bruce and give him the chance to explain are brilliantly staged by Snyder and Capullo. We can feel the pain of those tense silences and blunt text messages, even Dick cannot bring himself to go into detail about what the Joker said to him. As Bruce returns to the cave to study the Joker’s new toxin the results bring Death of the Family to a close with chilling finality.

Batman #17 is everything fans of this series could have hoped for. Death of the Family has shown us the deep understanding that the Batman and Joker share, and proves that it is one that goes far beyond masks and secret identities. Snyder and Capullo are one of the few writers and artists that have ever come as close to exposing the actual mechanics of this dark relationship, they have taken Batman and the Joker’s eternal dance of obsession and violence and twisted it into an all encompassing legend that will be long remembered as one of the greatest Batman stories ever told.

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