Sci-Fi Jubilee My New You Tube Channel Batman Return to Arkham Collection: Arkham City Completed!

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Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, Bane, Batman, Batman Return to Arkham Arkham City Walkthrough, Batman: Return to Arkham Collection, Catwoman, Clayface, Gotham, Harley Quinn, Hugo Strange, Killer Croc, Mr Freeze, PS4, PS4Share, Ra's al Ghul, The Joker, The Mad Hatter, The Penguin, The Riddler, Two Face

Sci-Fi Jubilee My New You Tube Channel Batman Return to Arkham

Arkham City Completed!

Hi, I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone for checking out my YouTube channel while I’ve been playing the Batman Return to Arkham Collection. I’ve completed Arkham City now, well, the main story anyway. Its been great of fun to revisit Arkham City, the storyline is really action packed, there are plenty of side missions to complete, and the game features lots of classic Batman villains including Two Face, Penguin, Solomon Grundy, Bane, The Riddler, Harley Quinn, Mr Freeze, Mad Hatter, Victor Zsasz, Hush, Deadshot, Clayface, Ra’s Al Gul, Talia Al Gul, and of course the Joker! I also played the majority of Arkham City using the Dark Knight Returns version of Batman, so that features in nearly all of the videos I streamed of the game.

　

This video features one of my favourite boss fights, the battle with Mr Freeze in the old GCPD building. It was a bit of a tricky battle as you can only use each form of Batman’s attacks once before Mr Freeze adapts to your tactics. Then it was time to save Vicky Vale after the Joker has her helicopter shot down.

Batman takes the fight to Hugo Strange in his tower lair right at the heart of Arkham City for a final showdown! Took me a few goes to get past all the guards, especially the ones at the entrance. Sorry, I’m a bit rubbish at doing the combos with all the Bat-Gadgets, but I got through and defeated Hugo Strange eventually!

Time for the final showdown between Batman and the Joker in Arkham City! I really enjoyed this part, it was a great finale to the game!

　

The remastered graphics in Arkham City were every bit as good as those in Arkham Asylum. I liked the wider scope of Arkham City, the side quests are good too, and it was fun to play the DLC content as well. The Batman Return to Arkham Collection is the first time I’ve streamed games like this on PS4, usually I’ve just done clips or edited the best bits together, so it was interesting to just play through the games and see how things turned out. It seemed to go down well, becoming a really popular feature on Sci-Fi Jubilee.

Thank you so much for watching and supporting me, its become such a fun addition to Sci-Fi Jubilee as well, especially with all your comments and suggestions. I hope you’ve enjoyed my return to Arkham Asylum and Arkham City as much as I’ve had fun playing these brilliant games again, and please feel free to hit that like button and subscribe if you did. I really appreciate the great feedback you‘ve given me, so keep an eye out for more videos as I might stream more games like this on my YouTube channel in the future.

　

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Sci-Fi Jubilee My New You Tube Channel Batman: Return to Arkham Collection Arkham City

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Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, Bane, Batman, Batman Return to Arkham Arkham City Walkthrough, Batman: Return to Arkham Collection, Batmobile, Catwoman, Gotham, Harley Quinn, Hugo Strange, Killer Croc, Mr Freeze, Paul Bowler YouTube, Poison Ivy, PS4, PS4 Share, Ra's al Ghul, Scarecrow, The Joker, The Penguin, The Riddler, Two Face, YouTube

Sci-Fi Jubilee My New You Tube Channel Batman Return to Arkham: Arkham City

Hi everyone! Thanks for checking out my YouTube Channel while I’ve been playing the Batman Return to Arkham Collection. I had a great time completing Arkham Asylum, so, after short break I’ve now started Arkham City. I’m really enjoying revisiting Arkham City again, the scope and scale of the game is even bigger than Arkham Asylum, and there are loads of great story moments and villains for Batman fans to enjoy!

The first video I streamed features the opening of the Arkham City as Bruce Wayne is captured by Hugo Strange and sent to Arkham City. Once Batman suits up its time to save Catwoman from Two Face. We also get to see Penguin, Calendar Man, Harley Quinn, and Bane, before Batman tracks down the Joker’s hideout in the Steel Mill.

Having reached Joker’s lair its time for Batman’s first confrontation in this game with the Joker! I found a few Riddler trophies as well, sorry if I wander around a bit looking for them! There’s also the first part of the Catwoman storyline here as well, I’ve never played any of the DLC for Arkham City before, so that was fun.

In this video Batman searches the Old GCPD building to find out where Penguin has taken Mr Freeze. The Riddler and Deadshot missions begin, and this part concludes as Batman makes a poignant visit to Crime Alley.

I think the remastered graphics in Arkham City look really good as well, even better than Arkham Asylum. I’ll stream and post some more Arkham City videos on my channel as I play through the game, obviously it’s a much bigger game than Arkham Asylum, so I’ll probably concentrate on the main storyline and boss fights. I might uses some of the different character skins as well, like the 70’s Batman or Dark Knight Returns Batman, to mix things up a bit. So, look out for new videos on my YouTube channel as I explore Arkham City, I hope you enjoy them, and please feel free to hit that like button and subscribe if you do.

Thanks for watching and cheers for all your support!

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Sci-Fi Jubilee My New You Tube Channel Batman Return to Arkham Collection: Part 2

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Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, Arkham Knight, Batman, Batman Return to Arkham Arkham Asylum Walkthrough, Batman: Return to Arkham Collection, Batmobile, Gotham, Harly Quin, Killer Croc, Paul Bowler YouTube, Poison Ivy, PS4, PS4 Share, Scarecrow, The Joker, The Riddler, YouTube

Sci-Fi Jubilee My New You Tube Channel Batman: Return to Arkham Collection

Part 2 Arkham Asylum completed!

Hello everyone, and thank you checking out my YouTube Channel.  I’ve been playing the Batman: Return to Arkham Collection recently, and I’ve now completed Arkham Asylum!

I’m a big Batman fan, and I love all the Arkham games – so I’ve been eagerly awaiting the chance to play the remastered version of Arkham Asylum in this collection. The trio of new videos here cover lots of my favourite moments from playing Arkham Asylum again.

First is a face-off with the Scarecrow, featuring a really wacky mind-trip for Batman that cleverly gives us a chilling new version of the games opening sequence.

Time to explore Killer Croc’s lair! This was probably my favourite part of Arkham Asylum. Its creepy, atmospheric, and you never know when Killer Croc will jump out!

After defeating Poison Ivy in the Botanical Gardens, its time for the epic showdown with the Joker, and the final battle with the Titan / Joker! I’ve included the end credits as well and the cut scene afterwards.

This is the first time I’ve streamed a game from start to finish like this on my YouTube Channel, it went quite well, and I’d just like to say thank you for all the support you‘ve given me. It was a lot of fun to do. I thought the remastered graphics in Arkham Asylum looked very impressive overall, the storyline and combat mechanics were just as good as I remembered, and I loved the dark, creepy atmosphere of the whole game. All my Arkham Asylum walkthrough videos (1-12) are now on my YouTube channel, so please feel free to check them out and like and subscribe if enjoy them. I’ve had a great time playing Arkham Asylum again, cheers everyone, and thanks for joining me!

Next stop, Arkham City!

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Sci-Fi Jubilee My New You Tube Channel Batman: Return to Arkham Collection

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Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, Arkham Knight, Batman, Batman Return to Arkham Arkham Asylum Walkthrough, Batman: Return to Arkham Collection, Batmobile, Gotham, Harly Quin, Killer Croc, Paul Bowler YouTube, PS4, PS4 Share, The Joker, The Riddler, YouTube

Sci-Fi Jubilee My New You Tube Channel Batman: Return to Arkham Collection

Hi all, thank you checking out my YouTube Channel. I’ve been a little busy with lots of comic book reviews recently, so I haven’t had as much time to play PS4 games for a few weeks. Anyway, I’ve been really looking forward to the Batman: Return to Arkham Collection, and I’ve just started Arkham Asylum.

I’m a huge Batman fan so I’m going to have fun revisiting Arkham Asylum and Arkham City. These two new videos feature the opening parts of Arkham Asylum that I’ve played so far, I think it really set up the dark atmospheric tone of the game. From what I’ve seen so far the remastered graphics look good, but not quite as good as those in Batman: Arkham Knight.

I hope you enjoy the Return to Arkham videos, please feel free to hit that like button and subscribe if you do. I’ll probably post more Arkham Asylum videos on my channel as I work my way through the game. Maybe I’ll do longer clips like these, or just focus on the boss battles, which do you prefer? Let me know. So watch this space and get ready to meet some of Batman’s deadliest and craziest enemies as we return to the asylum…

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Batman Eternal #40 Review

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Batman, Batman Eternal, Batman Eternal #40, Batman Eternal #40 Review, Catwoman, comics, Davide Furno, DC Comics, Edward Nygma, James Tynion IV, John Kalisz, Kyle Higgins, Paolo Armitano, Scott Snyder, The Riddler, Tim Seeley

Batman Eternal #40

Review by Paul Bowler

The stakes are raised even higher in Batman Eternal #40, especially now that Batman no longer has the assets of Wayne Enterprises at his disposal. Given access to the Dark Knight’s secret weapons and resources by an unknown backer, a group of Batman’s deadliest foes are now ready to embark on a violent crime spree in Gotham. Having followed Riddler’s clues to his hideaway on Miller Mountain, Batman confronted the Riddler, but determined to avoid returning to Gotham at all costs Nygma detonated explosive charges and caused an avalanche. Now while Batman and Riddler battle to survive against the elements, Catwoman decides on a new course of action; and Vicky Vale must confront the treacherous intern Patrick in the offices of the Gotham Gazette.

Events really kick into high gear in Batman Eternal #40, in this action-packed issue by writers Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV, with script by Ray Fawkes, and consulting writers Kyle Higgins, and Tim Seeley, as the specially chosen members of Batman’s rogues gallery prepare to unleash carnage on Gotham while the Dark Knight finds himself locked in a deadly battle for survival with the Riddler as conditions on the mountain deteriorate.

Turn and Turn Again begins as Penny Two’s voice crackles over the airwaves following the avalanche, the bleak mountainside seems unsettlingly still, until Batman finally responds. Batman and the Riddler have been engulfed by the avalanche that Edward Nygma triggered; now Batman must help his old foe as they attempt to escape from the mountain. Meanwhile, back in Gotham, the group of Batman’s enemies can hardly believe their luck as they begin planning how to use the Dark Knight’s secret arsenal which has just been handed to them on a plate. Now that Catwoman runs more of city than anyone could ever know, Gotham’s new Kingpin of crime decides she wants no part in the proposition which she, and her former associates, have been offered via the speaker system by their mysterious benefactor. However, Catwoman soon discovers that life at the top in Gotham City can be brutal and deadly!

The Art by Davide Furno and Paolo Armitano captures the harsh frozen landscape of the mountain scenes perfectly, and you really get a sense of the danger Batman and Riddler face. The gritty urban environment of Gotham provides a stark contrast to events on the mountain, Furno and Armitano do a good job with these scenes featuring lots of Batman’s villains, and the tense excitement of Vicky Vale’s plight is another highlight of this issue. John Kalisz’s colors are also extremely good, brining added depth to every scene, particularly those on Miller Mountain.

There are some great scenes between Batman and the Riddler too, and it seems the Riddler’s not about to divulge his secrets anytime soon. We get to see how tough and resourceful Vicky Vale is when Patrick tries to kill her at the Gotham Gazette, and the subplot with Catwoman also develops an interesting, spoiler themed, twist that is sure to lead to some big developments down the line.

Batman Eternal #40 is another terrific instalment of this weekly series from DC Comics. This tautly plotted issue continues to build the mystery and suspense. It seems we are growing ever closer now to finding out who has been messing with Batman and secretly orchestrating events in Batman Eternal. With all hell breaking loose on Gotham’s streets, a short interlude with Jim Corrigan, and the final moments hinting that even darker times await Batman upon his return to Gotham, Batman Eternal #40 is an outstanding, and great looking issue.

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Batman #32 Review

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Batman, Batman #32, Batman #32 Review, Bruce Wayne, Danny Miki, DC Comics, FCO Plascencia, Greg Capullo, Jim Gordon, Savage City, Scott Snyder, The New 52, The Riddler, Zero Year

Batman #32

Review by Paul Bowler

The endgame draws near in Batman #32, the penultimate issue of Zero Year, as Batman sets out to take back control of Gotham City from the Riddler. Having survived the chaos unleashed by the Riddler during the superstorm Batman, along with new allies Lieutenant Gordon and Lucius Fox, worked together to track the source of the Riddler’s signal during his daily address to the city. Now, as Batman closes in on the Riddler, the Dark Knight must face the most deadly riddle of all as the final battle for Gotham City begins…

As the final act of Zero Year unfolds, Savage City continues Scott Snyder’s and Greg Capullo’s epic reimagining of Bruce Wayne’s early career as Batman. Weaving a compelling blend of classic and modern elements from the characters seventy five year mythology, Zero Year has brought an entirely new perspective to the many pivotal, and defining moments of Bruce Wayne’s life, while also effectively modernizing the Dark Knight’s origin within the framework of DC Comics New 52. Batman #32 continues to build on the uncanny symbiosis between the past and present that Zero Year has established, as this penultimate issue of Scott Snyder’s and Greg Capullo’s sweeping epic takes Batman’s conflict with the Riddler to a whole new level as Zero Year comes full circle to present the Dark Knight with his greatest challenge of all.

Having traced the Riddler’s signal from the screen in Gotham square, Batman and his allies prepare to make their move on Nygma. The flooded urban wilderness of Gotham City also provides the perfect cover for their mission, with Gordon and the Special Ops SEALS using the tunnels to their advantage, Batman also takes an equally stealth route, while Lucius Fox monitors their progress and relays instructions. However, the Riddler’s network of automated drones and robot weapons systems are everywhere. With Gotham’s fate now hanging by a thread, Batman must use all his skills to find the Riddler, but as the web of puzzles begins to tighten Nygma is ready to taunt the Dark Knight every step of the way.

Over the course of Zero Year we have witnessed events unfold as Bruce returned to Gotham after his years of training. Its been fascinating to see this brash, arrogant young man, embark on his crime fighting career, he’s had some tough lessons to learn along the way, arguing with Alfred and locking horns with Lieutenant Gordon, while the trauma of his parents murder continues impact on his actions. There have been crushing defeats along the way too, but perhaps the most important lesson of all has been for Bruce to finally realize that he can’t do it all. He needs allies, and it’s been fascinating to see Bruce overcome his differences with Lieutenant Gordon and begin working with Lucius Fox. Indeed, Jim Gordon and Lucius Fox both have pivotal roles to play in Batman #32, especially Lucius, and his scenes with Batman are excellent.

Similarly, I think the way Scott Snyder eloquently shifts the focus of this issue to the bond Bruce has with Alfred, is brilliantly handled, as we arrive at what proves to be the most significant moment in Zero Year so far. Snyder’s writing here will simply blow you away; he captures and bottles the very essence of what Batman is all about in one, superbly crafted scene that will have you hanging on every word, every step, and every narrative beat as the conclusion approaches.

Greg Capullo’s art is as incredible as ever, Batman #32 looks amazing. The combination of Capullo art and Danny Miki’s inks works wonders this issue, from the underground tunnels, to the shadowy depths of an elevator shaft, the Riddler’s robot drones are another highlight, as is the depiction of a ravaged, overgrown, Gotham City, Batman #32 perfectly captures every nuance of Snyder’s work, and FCO Plascencia’s colors are really stunning, with superb tones and textures throughout. Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, and FCO have really pulled out all the stops for this issue, and those last few pages will take your breath away!

Batman #32 is an exciting, action packed issue, and sets the stage for the Zero Year finale. The way Scott Snyder leads up to this so ingenious, that it will have your jaw hitting the floor with the sheer ingenuity of it all. Greg Capullo’s cover for this issue is also really striking, with Batman snared in the strands of the Nygma’s web, which in turn is suspended within a question mark, while a swathe of purple bisects the cover as the Riddler looks on. Batman #32 also has a Biker Batman variant cover by Tony Moore, a must for those who enjoyed Batman’s dramatic entrance from last issue. Batman #32 was a great issue, it keep me guessing right up until the final page, and I can’t wait to find out what happens in the epic conclusion of Zero Year!

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Batman #31Review

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Batman, Batman #31, Batman #31 Review, Bruce Wayne, Danny Miki, DC Comics, FCO Plascencia, Gotham, Greg Capullo, Jim Gordon, Savage City, Scott Snyder, The New 52, The Riddler, Zero Year

Batman #31

Review by Paul Bowler

The second chapter of Zero Year: Savage City continues to explore the full scope of the Riddler’s grand design for Gotham City in Batman #31. Having moulded the environment of Gotham back to a primal level, the flooded city is now cut off from the outside world and overgrown with vegetation. The Riddler has issued a challenge to the citizens of Gotham, they must create a riddle which even he cannot solve, only then he will return control of the city to them. Everyone believed that Batman was dead, now the Dark Knight has returned. Batman has to learn to work with his new ally, Lieutenant Gordon, doing whatever it takes to survive the Riddler‘s deadly puzzles…

This third arc of Zero Year: Savage City is quickly shaping up to be the most compelling segment of Scott Snyder’s and Greg Capullo’s bold reimagining of Bruce Wayne’s early career. Their new take on the classic elements from the Dark Knight‘s mythology has constantly impressed on all levels. Now we see the total sum of the Riddler’s master plan coming to fruition, as Batman, Gordon, and the people of Gotham must find a way to rise to the Riddler’s challenge in order to survive the post-apocalyptic urban wilderness Gotham City has become.

Having recovered from his injuries Batman has now returned to assist Lieutenant Gordon, and together with the help of Lucius Fox they begin to formulate a plan to track the Riddler’s signal and uncover his actual location. Batman must confront the Riddler with a puzzle as he makes his daily address to the city on a giant screen. Timing will be crucial for their plan to succeed and Batman will be tested to the limit as he challenges the Riddler at his own game.

The final act continues to gather momentum in Batman #31 as Zero Year sees the Dark Knight and his new allies, Jim Gordon and Lucius Fox, finally working together against the Riddler. Scott Snyder sets up a great confrontation between Batman and the Riddler in part ten of Zero Year. In an extraordinary battle of wits, skill, and endurance, the Dark Knight’s verbal sparing with the Riddler is superb, and the physical challenges Batman has to face beneath the coliseum are some of the most intense and exciting scenes we’ve seen so far in Zero Year.

From its stunning cover featuring Batman overlooking the Gotham skyline from his high vantage point, with his new costume for Savage City illuminated in the twilight haze, through to the astonishing level of detail in every scene that follows Greg Capullo’s art for Batman #31 is simply stunning. Capullo’s depiction of a Gotham City flooded and overrun with dense vegetation is superb, the ravaged buildings, together with the underlying sense of decay and despair, utterly immerses you within the harsh reality of this rundown ecosystem. Danny Miki’s inks and FCO Plascencia’s colors are as incredible as ever, and they complement Capullo’s art perfectly. Batman sure knows how to make an entrance, and this issue is no exception as it delivers a real, punch the air: “hell yeah!!”, moment that will leave you with a very big grin on your face as he arrives to confront the Riddler.

I also really liked the way Snyder and Capullo intertwine the event in Batman #31 with the flashbacks where Bruce’s teacher at school gives him a problem to solve as Batman is challenging the Riddler in Zero Year. It highlights the incredible synergy that Snyder and Capullo have brought to their run on Batman, and the way in which the many elements of Zero Year are beginning to draw together is truly inspiring – it works on so many levels, and you get a real sense of things building towards an epic conclusion.

The makeshift Bat-suit that Bruce has put together is another highlight of this issue. This is a Batman ready for war, a Dark Knight on a crusade to reclaim the city he has sworn to protect. Essentially comprised of clothes that he has just thrown together, it illustrates that Batman is much, much more than simply the suit he wears. In many ways he doesn’t even need the costume or the gadgets, Bruce is Batman, with or without the costume, the Dark Knight is the very essence of his being, and the way he continues to modify the outfit this issue transcends everything we have seen before.

Batman #31 is a terrific issue, exciting, and brilliantly tense, Batman ends up facing his toughest challenge yet of his early career. The way Batman puts his final question to the Riddler totally sums up the issue for me, tough as nails, and never, ever, prepared to back down; no matter how impossible the situation or complex the puzzles solution might be. This is why I’ve always loved reading Batman comics since I was a kid, this is why I think Snyder and Capullo are so freaking awesome at what they do, and this is why I’m enjoying Zero Year so much.

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Batman #30 Review

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Batman, Batman #30, Batman #30 review, Danny Miki, DC Comics, FCO Plascencia, Greg Capullo, Savage City, Scott Snyder, The New 52, The Riddler, Zero Year

Batman #30

Review by Paul Bowler

Savage City begins in Batman #30 as the Dark Knight faces the greatest challenge of his early crime fighting career. The Riddler’s plan to hack into Gotham’s power grid has succeeded; the restraining walls protecting the city have fallen, leaving Gotham at the mercy of the super storm. Batman is defeated, missing and presumed dead. The Riddler now has free reign over Gotham, a city now flooded and overgrown with dense vegetation, and transformed by Nygma’s grand design into a deadly post-apocalyptic nightmare.

The third arc of Zero Year introduces us to a radically different version of Gotham City. Its one we first glimpsed way back in Batman #21, where the city has been moulded into a completely new environment by the Riddler’s scheme. Scott Snyder’s and Greg Capullo’s new take on the Dark Knight’s early career continues to explore new territory, as Batman evolves to survive amidst the urban wilderness that Gotham has now become.

While the Secret City and Dark City sections of Zero Year revisited many of the classic elements from Batman’s origin, with this third and final chapter, Savage City, the foundations are set for the ultimate showdown between Batman and the Riddler. Snyder and Capullo’s reimagning of the Bruce Wayne’s early years has been nothing short of a revelation, offering a modern perspective, whilst remaining entirely respectful to the characters time-honoured legacy.

The intriguing opening moments of Batman #30 leads masterfully into the beginning of Savage City. With all of Gotham laid out before us we rejoin Bruce Wayne as he wakes to find himself in a very different city to the one he knew. Having escaped from the crashed weather balloon Bruce was saved by a family and taken in. In the month that he was unconscious the Riddler has effectively cut Gotham off from the outside world, there is no way in or out, and the flooded city has become engulfed by vegetation.

Batman is believed to be dead. Now the Riddler appears on a giant screen once a day to issue a challenge to the people of Gotham, saying that if anyone can present him with a riddle he cannot solve, he will return control of the city to them. While it sounds simple, there is a heavy price for failure, and the Riddler takes no prisoners. It is during one such address that Lieutenant Gordon instigates a plan to strike back at the Riddler.

Now that the Riddler has control over the grid, he can work everything remotely, machinery, street lamps, automated surveillance, and no one knows where he is. Having transformed Gotham the Riddler has created the ultimate riddle, changing the environment of the city to revert things almost to a primal level, and thereby challenging the population to evolve if they are to have any chance of finding and defeating him. Savage City shows how the Riddler has embodied the issues of climate change, evolution, harsh economic times, and global terrorism, in order to challenge the city to outwit him – presenting them with his conception of Gotham’s future – having orchestrated events to implement his vision by churning all these existential influences together and plunging Gotham into an entropic maelstrom of his own narcissistic design.

The Riddler takes centre stage this issue, as the narrative unfolds it becomes clear how his scheme is engrained within the structure of Zero Year itself, even the stories name is intrinsically linked to Nygma’s plans. I also really liked the opening scenes, where the young Duke Thomas fills us in on what’s been happening. Bruce also makes contact with Alfred, in a particularly moving scene, where, believing he has failed the city, he has to confront his innermost doubts and decide whether or not he can claw himself back from this defeat. Scott Snyder writes such beautiful, emotive dialogue for this scene, and you can almost feel Bruce’s voice cracking with raw emotion.

From its lush green cover, to the incredible reveal of Gotham’s new skyline, Greg Capullo’s art depicts the ravaged city magnificently, smashed by storm and flood, it is now a bleak, desolate place overrun with lush vegetation. The moment where Bruce wakes up and we pull away from the glass of water, is simply sublime, and I really liked how Capullo brings the harsh, grimy, reality of this new Gotham to life on the page. Batman #30 looks incredible, Danny Miki’s inks and FCO Plascencia’s colors are as stunning as ever, you’ll really want to read this issue a few times just to soak up the visual spectacle of it all, it’s breathtaking.

Batman #30 is a terrific issue, packed with action, and an exciting conclusion that is punctuated with another defining moment for the saga. Savage City looks set to be the most exciting segment of Zero Year of all, and I can’t wait to see what Snyder and Capullo have in store for us as Zero Year progresses towards its conclusion.

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Batman #29 Review

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Batman, Batman #29, Danny Miki, Dark City, DC Comics, FCO Plascencia, Greg Capullo, Scott Snyder, The New 52, The Riddler, Zero Year

Batman #29

Review by Paul Bowler

Having plunged Gotham into darkness, the Riddler trapped Batman in the catacombs. Batman and Lieutenant Gordon must work together as the superstorm closes in on the city, but when the power is restored the Riddler’s grand design for Gotham City is finally revealed. The Dark City chapter of Zero Year concludes here, in Batman #29, a special extra-sized issue, were events from Batman’s past converge to influence his future as the storm reaches Gotham…

Batman #29 is one of those comic books you get on new comic book day that you read and then immediately want to read again. Greg Capullo’s stunning cover alone is enough to wet your appetite for this issue, emblazoned with a single question mark depicting Batman almost drowning in a sea of bones, its not long before we see the  Dark Knight bursting from this sepulchre of Gotham’s past with an almost primal rage to save the city.

Scott Snyder has weaved an inordinate number of plot threads into the Dark City chapter of Zero Year. Here, as we watch Lieutenant Gordon oversee the evacuation of neighbourhoods at risk of flooding, the meticulous groundwork and attention to detail that Snyder has installed in nearly every aspect of Zero Year begins to come to fruition. A familiar face here, along with a subtle link to the scientists that Helfern killed, and the very act of restoring the power to the city, all converge around one distinct landmark that has been hiding in plain sight all along.

A new Bat-Vehicle makes a spectacular entrance in Batman #29 as well, and it’s a real punch the air, didn’t see that bit coming, kind of moment that will leave you gasping in awe as the Dark Knight makes his entrance. With a knowing tip of the hat to Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, the rest of this issue quickly gets down to business. Batman knows the Riddler has managed to construct a remote hacking hub, which together with the other technologies and research he has acquired will enable him to take control of the city once the power is switched on. The com-chatter between Batman and Alfred is another standout moment here; there are some brilliant exchanges between them, especially when an impossible leap of faith is called for so Batman can reach his goal.

From here, the issue speeds along at a break-neck pace. Events from the opening stages of Dark City become even more prevalent, especially when Batman has to face Dr Death again during the height of the storm. While Gordon’s confrontation with the Riddler leaves him caught between a rock and a hard place, the revelations begin to come thick and fast during Batman’s fight with Dr Death. The way Snyder and Capullo bring these various elements together against the backdrop of the storm is breathtaking, and we begin to realise just how closely Dr Karl Helfern’s life and work has become entwined with Batman’s own past. The fact it stems from such an ambiguous  link to a song written on a soldiers helmet as he went to war, makes it all the more tragic that Helfern’s research consumed his life and made him easy prey for the Riddler’s schemes.

You know, I’m starting to run out of words to describe just how good Greg Capullo’s work on this series has been. I’m sitting here writing this, and I just keep flicking back through the pages, especially the *censored* one, and I have to say that I am left speechless by this man’s artistic talent. Capullo has really pulled out all the stops with this issue: the dynamic layout paces the story perfectly, there are full pages which are simply outstanding, and the ferocity of every thunderclap punctuates those big action set-pieces as Batman’s struggle with Helfern takes centre stage. Danny Miki’s inks are as flawless as ever, while FCO’s colors are simply phenomenal – I can’t stop looking at that page where Batman leaps into the storm; it’s magnificent!

Dr Death returns this issue, bigger, and more powerful than before. Helfern becomes even more horrifically deformed in his fight with Batman, the accelerated bone growth cause by his serum leads to some gruesome scenes of body horror. The Riddler also emerges from the shadows, strolling into the storm drenched streets, casually twirling his cane as he unleashes the greatest riddle of all on Gotham and her citizens. The themes of climate change have played a major role in this chapter of Zero Year. In his plan to create a new environment for Gotham, Nygma has set a challenge that will send Batman and the very city he is sworn to protect back to a base level, forcing them all to evolve in order to survive if they are to have any hope at all of catching him.

Ever since Zero Year began, the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne has never been far from our minds. Batman #29 is Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s version of this momentous, almost sacred, part of Batman’s origin. Zero Year has shown us glimpses of events from the day leading up to that fateful night in Crime Alley, each issue has steadily been building up to this defining moment in Bruce’s life, successfully expanding the mythology of the character to a new level while brining a fresh insight into Bruce’s early crime-fighting career. Batman #29 draws us inexorably towards this tragic moment in Crime Alley, from the ominously placed poster in the police station, to the heartrending finality of that night, Snyder and Capullo’s take on this pivotal scene is nothing short of magnificent. The haunting clarity of this moment will envelope you completely as the gunshots ring out. In a perfect fusion of storytelling and art the impact of this scene is multiplied tenfold when the genesis of Batman’s grief and rage boils over as Gotham succumbs to the storm.

As the second arc of Zero Year closes in Batman #29, we now approach the final part of Zero Year, the intriguingly titled Savage City, that will conclude writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo’s stunning 11 part retelling of the beginning of Bruce Wayne’s crime fighting career as Batman within the context of The New 52. So far it’s been one hell of a ride, and I’m sure Savage City will form an equally epic conclusion to this storyline.

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Batman #27 Review

Tags

Batman, Batman #27, Bruce Wayne, Danny Miki, Dark City, DCComics, Dr Death, FCO Plascencia, Greg Capullo, Scott Snyder, The Riddler, Zero Year

Batman #27

Review by Paul Bowler

A former scientist at Wayne Enterprises, Dr Karl Helfern, now horrifically disfigured by the formula he created which causes accelerated bone growth, has returned as  Dr Death and used his own serum to murder the team of scientists he used to work with. With Lieutenant Gordon’s help, Bruce and Lucius Fox were able to escape from Dr Death. Despite suffering a cranial fracture, Batman tries to save the last two scientists, only to find that they have already been killed by Dr Death and the GCPD are waiting to ambush him. Batman must find a way to escape from the Police, as well as confront his differences with Gordon, if he is to have any chance of tracking Dr Death to his secret lair before the super storm hits the city.

The penultimate issue of Dark City beings with a flashback to Tokyo 1946 before returning to the Newton Centre, where Batman finds the scientists have been murdered by Dr Death, and the GCPD have cornered the Dark Knight and opened fire. The Dark Knight Detectives early years continue to unfold explosively in Batman #27, with  the GCPD’s attack cutting off Batman’s escape, leaving him reeling from a  hail of bullets.

With the inclusion of Dr Death over the last few issue, the Dark City section of Zero Year has taken on a very distinct tone and feel, with this classic villain almost symbolically representing the twisting scar tissue that has healed over the terrible loss Bruce suffered on that fateful night in Crime Alley when his parents were murdered. Scott Snyder has also explored the relationship between Bruce and Lieutenant Gordon with Dark City, flaying open the old wounds that have played such a vital part in forging the direction both of their lives have taken. Batman #27 provides a fascinating insight into the story behind the trench coat from last issue, as the faint glimmer of hope which Gordon thought he had found earlier on that day, so long ago, was ultimately dashed by the corruption within the CGPD and the tears of a young orphan’s terrible loss.

If you were still pondering over last issues other intriguing flashback, which showed Bruce, suspended in cell over a vast pit in the Sudan, then Batman #27 yields a very unexpected, and highly emotional payoff. I really like how Scott Snyder has explored Alfred’s role during these early years over the course of Zero Year. It’s also been fascinating to watch this angrier, less disciplined, Bruce Wayne take to the streets as Batman and begin his war on crime. Alfred’s concerns for how Bruce is dealing with his anger provides this issues best moment, as he does not want to see Bruce let the dark scars of the past consume him. This fantastic scene brings Bruce’s motivations for being Batman into focus like never before, as Alfred urges him to reach out to those who can help, to become a force of  justice, and hope for a city riddled with crime and corruption.

Just as Snyder is absolutely bang on the money when it comes to writing Batman, I think Greg Capullo’s work on Batman has also been outstanding; his incredible attention to detail and the realism he continues to bring to every issue is superb. The opening scenes alone are nail bitingly tense as Batman makes his escape attempt. It’s during the quiet moments though, particularly in the scenes involving Gordon, and then later with Alfred, where Capullo’s brilliant renditions of these characters expressions perfectly captures the emotional impact of these events on Bruce. We also see the first time Batman disappears while Gordon is still talking. Add to that a glimpse of Batman on a storm drenched night, one guaranteed to send a few iconic shivers of nostalgia down your spine, which together with this issues exciting conclusion, will leave you on the edge of your seat as Batman discovers he has gravely underestimated his opponents.

Danny Miki’s inks are as excellent as ever, accentuating Capullo’s art perfectly, while FCO’s amazing use of color continues to play a major role in making Zero Year so enjoyable, with the vivid purple and red tones for Batman’s daring escape from the Newton Centre giving way to the sombre blues and greys of the flashbacks, while a ghoulish palette of emerald hues accompanies Batman on his descent into the catacombs to find Helfern’s lab. Capullo’s cover for Batman #27 is also really good, disturbing and compelling in equal measure; this image of Batman’s costume twisted and distorted by Dr Death’s formula has quickly become one of my favourite Zero Year covers.

Batman #27 takes Dark City into completely unexpected territory. Scott Snyder effortlessly manages to draw together several of the plot threads that have now become so indicative of Zero Year, which considering this is only chapter two of his retelling of Bruce Wayne’s early career as Batman, it points to there being even bigger, and greater surprises awaiting us in the third chapter. As Dr Death’s plans are revealed and the Riddler’s grand schemes begin to take shape, next months special Batman #28 will offers us a glimpse into the future, before we return for Batman #29 and the conclusion of Dark City in March.

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