Batman #33 Review

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Batman, Batman #33, Batman 75, Batman Day, Bruce Wayne, Danny Miki, DC Comics, FCO Plascencia, Greg Capullo, Riddler, Savage City, Scott Snyder, The New 52, Zero Year

Batman #33

Review by Paul Bowler

It’s the showdown that will decide the fate of Gotham City, as Batman confronts the Riddler in Batman #33, the special extra-sized finale of Zero Year! Following the terrible destruction unleashed by the Riddler’s actions during the superstorm, the city was transformed into a flooded post-apocalyptic urban wilderness. Batman survived and returned to free Gotham from the Riddler with the help of Lieutenant Gordon and Lucius Fox. Batman set out alone to find the Riddler in his secret lair. Now, with a military air strike on the way, the Dark Knight must solve the greatest challenge of his early career to save Gotham City and defeat the Riddler.

Batman #33 marks the conclusion of the epic Zero Year storyline by Eisner Award-winning writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo. Their bold re-imagining of Batman’s origin has offered us an entirely fresh perspective, one that has remained eminently respectful to the character, and skilfully redefined it within the context of DC Comics’ New 52 continuity.

The final countdown has begun, fighter jets have been scrambled from Fort Robbins, but the Riddler intends to misdirect the air strike towards a series of strategically placed explosives that will detonate and sinks the entire city. While Batman faces the Riddler’s challenge in the museum, the Dark Knight’s new allies, Lieutenant Gordon and Lucius Fox, together with the Special Ops Seals, must find a way to delay the air strike. This final part of Savage City brings a complex, thrilling, and fittingly cerebral edge to Batman’s showdown with the Riddler, as the Dark Knight tackles the complexities of Nygma’s deadly high-tech version of the circular Oroboros game – first seen in Batman #22 when Bruce originally encountered Nygma in the museums Egyptian exhibit.

With the Sphinx looming over them, this setting – so ingeniously hidden in plain sight all along and masterfully revealed last issue – not only provides a fitting backdrop for their final battle, it also links back though virtually every aspect of Zero Year itself. The way Scott Synder brings everything together in Batman #33 is staggeringly brilliant, and it is this total summation of everything that Zero Year stands for which now ultimately culminates with a gripping battle of intellects between the Dark Knight and the Riddler.

The Riddler and his web of puzzles and schemes have been an intrinsic part of Zero Year, yet it perhaps only now, as we approach the climax of this storyline, that we can fully appreciate how masterfully Snyder and Capullo have not only woven the character into the narrative of Batman’s origin, but also re-defined this classic villain in a way that has made him infinitely more compelling than ever before. Nygma and his ego-driven narcissistic designs for Gotham has given a fascinating insight into the psychology of the Riddler, believing himself slighted by the world around him, Nygma has basked in the chaos and destruction he’s unleashed in order to prove his point to the city while challenging the Dark Knight and the citizens of Gotham to evolve and defeat him. Batman #33 is a veritable showcase of Edward Nygma’s uncanny ingenuity and cunning as Batman races against time to solve each of the twelve mind-bending historical riddles entwined in the games lethal web of lasers.

Over the course of Zero Year, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have explored many facets of the Dark Knight’s origin. The flashback sequences have often proved to be the most compelling aspects of all and with Batman #33 Snyder and Capullo continue to explore the psychological trauma caused by the murder of Bruce’s parents during his teenage years. We see his life beginning to take a dark, and self-destructive path, and it is only through the events in Batman #33 that we learn the full extent of Bruce Wayne’s struggle with depression, as well as the lengths he was prepared to go to erase his pain, and the resolve that gave him the strength to fight his way back through the darkness with a decision that would see him leave Gotham City and begin the journey that would ultimately set him on the path to becoming Batman.

Greg Capullo’s incredible art work never ceases to amaze me. Batman #33 is easily one of Capullo’s finest issues to date, the level of detail on every page is staggering, and I guarantee when you’ve finished this issue you will be reading it again right away to savour each and every panel Greg Capullo has crafted for this Zero Year finale. Danny Miki’s inks and FCO Plascencia’s colors are superb, the shading, details, and rich color pallet is a joy to behold, and the amazing work of this artistic team on Batman #33 has, quite literally, blown me away. As well as Capullo’s, Miki’s, and FCO’s stunning cover (Great to see FCO also credited on the cover now as well), Batman #33 also has two excellent variant covers by Bryan Hitch and Paolo Rivera.

The intellectual battle between Batman and Riddler is just one of the many highlights this issue, as fate spins like penny, Gordon and Lucius also get their moment in the spotlight. Greg Capullo is the absolute master of conveying the characters emotions, their expressions, their stance, everything just works together so perfectly. Seeing the Riddler and Batman face to face, with Nygma finally seeing Batman as a worthy adversary, transcends their battle of wits to a whole new level. Incidentally, they are both wearing purple gloves, another nice touch that makes Zero Year’s reworking of Batman’s origin feel so special. Likewise, the scenes between Alfred and Bruce, and the way that Bruce’s past strikes a deeply moving, and emotionally charged symmetry with the Riddler’s grand design for Gotham, and its subsequent aftermath, will I’m sure, leave a warm smile on your face.

Scott Snyder concludes Zero Year with a brilliant coda that personifies his love and respect for the character of Batman, and through his deeply personal, and emotive re-envisioning of Batman’s origin, Snyder has ensured that Zero Year delivered everything he promised, and then some. Gothamites are made of strong stuff, the city will rebuild, and Bruce’s speech at Wayne Enterprises, and the announcement he makes on this day heralds the dawn of a new age, and the simple gesture of a surprise gift heals a rift with a bond of life-long friendship. Above all though, it is the final, closing scenes of Zero Year that are the most magnificent of all, and the clarity of this moment is one that will remain with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

Batman #33 is a stunning finale to Zero Year, as Batman’s confrontation with the Riddler concludes the third arc: Savage City. Scott Snyder’s and Greg Capullo’s epic twelve issue re-imagining of Bruce Wayne’s early crime fighting career has encompassed the classic elements of the Dark Knights origin, modernising and redefining many of the iconic cornerstones that have defined the character over he last seventy five years. I think Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, and FCO Plascencia have done tremendous work on Batman, I’ve enjoyed all the storylines, and I think Zero Year in particular has been their most outstanding achievement of all!

So what’s next for the Dark Knight? Well, in August, Batman #34, and the Batman issues which follow, will be jumping forward in time, to coincide with the events and continuity that takes place directly after DC’s current weekly series, Batman Eternal. Batman #34 will be a stand-alone story, co written by Gerry Duggan (Who is also writing this October’s new series Batman Arkham Manor), is a spooky detective story, with art by Matteo Scalera. This will lead into Snyder and Capullo’s next Batman story arc, Endgame, which begins in October’s Batman #35, Endgame, is also set in the same continuity as Batman #34 and both take place right after the ending of Batman Eternal.

Batman Endgame will be a six part storyline, and it promises to be Scott Snyder’s and Greg Capullo’s most exciting story yet. Endgame is Snyder’s and Capullo’s big story for Batman’s 75th anniversary, boasting an extensive cast of characters and thrilling cataclysmic events. Each issue will also feature back-up stories that link into the main arc of Endgame, co written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV, with the artists changing monthly.

Batman #33 is extra special in many ways, not only because it’s the final issue of Zero Year, it also happens to be released on Wednesday, July 23rd, as part of DC Comics international Batman Day celebrations for the 75th Anniversary of Batman. So, enjoy Batman #33 and have a happy Batman Day Batfans!

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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

Tags

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 #28 Review

Tags

Batman, Batman #28, Batman Eternal, DC Comcs, Dustin Nyguyen, Harper Row, James Tynion IV, Scott Snyder, Zero Year

Batman #28

Review by Paul Bowler

So far, Batman: Zero Year has certainly lived up to all expectations. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s 11-part retelling of Bruce Wayne’s early career as Batman has offered a decidedly modern twist to the Dark Knights origin, while remaining  entirely faithful to the legacy of the character. Last month, Batman #27: Part 7 of Zero Year, ended with the Batman trapped in the catacombs beneath Gotham City, fighting for his life, and mocked by the Riddler for his apparent lack of detective skills. We take a break from Zero Year for this month with Batman #28, the flash-forward “spoilers” issue Scott Snyder, together with co-writer James Tynion IV and artist Dustin Nyguyen; have created to bring us a preview of Batman Eternal.

Batman #28 provides a fascinating glimpse into the future of what this special 75th anniversary event will hold, as we discover that  Gotham City is in lock down, and a curfew is now rigorously enforced. For reasons that strike close to home, Harper Row has chosen to break this curfew. After managing to find the “magic words” to get her past the barricade, Harper is taken to an exclusive nightclub, one of the few left in Gotham, where Harper is determined to meet the new Kingpin of Gotham, with a little help from Batman of course. However, the Dark Knights world is very different place now, and he has lost so much, even the city he is sworn to protect. Harper’s new costume as Batman’s crime fighting ally is also revealed, working together, they confront Gotham’s new Kingpin, but there is one last secret still waiting to be revealed…

My, of my, how Gotham has changed. Batman #28 gives us a good sense of what Batman Eternal will be like, completely game-changing events have transpired, the Dark Knights world has seemingly been turned on its head, and even the criminal underworld has been shaken to its core. The reasons behind the lockdown are also very surprising, bringing added emphasis to Harper Row’s return, and the new role she has assumed. This issue features the debut of Harper Row’s new costume, with an outfit that has gained much speculation, but its reveal here is clearly a defining moment for the character, as is her code name and the crime-fighting methods she employs.

Snyder and James Tynion IV also bring many surprise in the shape of Batman’s allies, clearly the Dark Knights world has suffered a major upheaval, the city, the police, even the new Kingpin of Gotham now see him in a different light. Indeed, when the new Kingpin of Gotham is revealed, its one of those rare serendipitous moment in comics where a cracking plot twist catches you completely off guard and wraps itself around your neck.

Batman Eternal is a series that Scott Snyder has developed along with his former student, James Tynion IV (Red Hood and the Outlaws), who launched Talon with Snyder, and worked with him on the Batman backup stories and annuals. Tynion brings his outstanding character work to this issue, there some fantastic flourishes, as we take this secret glimpse into the future, and see a Gotham that is even more dangerous and crazy than ever before.

Dustin Nguyen, whose art will also feature in Batman Eternal, handles the artistic duties on this issue, while Greg Cappulo works his magic on the extra pages for Batman #29. Nguyen worked with Snyder on American Vampire: Lord of Nightmares, as well as the Superman Unchained backups. Here with Batman #28, Nguyen brings a very fluid, and kinetic feel to the action, from the sweeping dark tones of the Gotham’s streets, to the gleaming and opulent interior of the nightclub, which leads to the aforementioned showdown with Gotham’s new crime boss, Nguyem’s work is perfectly suited to Gotham, and together with Derek Fridolfs inks and colorist John Kalisz, I’m pleased to say that Batman #28 is a mighty fine looking book indeed.

Batman #28 is a great sneak peek at what the rest of 2014 has in store for the Dark Knight. Snyder and Tynion deliver a sterling issue that is full of surprises, which, together with a spoiler-ific final page and Nguyen’s art, makes Batman #28 a thrilling trip into the future before Zero Year resumes in Batman #29 next month.

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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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Batman #26 Review

Tags

Batman, Batman #26, Danny Miki, DC Comics, Doctor Death, FCO Plascencia, Greg Capullo, Scott Snyder, The Riddler, Zero Year

Batman #26

Review by Paul Bowler

[Contains Spoilers]

Gotham has been blacked out by the Riddler, now the young Batman is confronted by a new enemy. Dr Death, former scientist at Wayne Enterprises, Dr Karl Helfern, his face and body now horrifically mutated into a skeletal appearance, has been murdering other scientists with his formula that causes accelerated bone growth. Unwilling to help Lieutenant Gordon’s investigation, Bruce Wayne asks Lucius Fox for help, but is shocked when Lucius stabs him with a syringe just as Dr Death emerges from the shadows. Bruce must escape from Dr Death and find a way to work with Lieutenant Gordon if he is to prevent any more deaths, as super storm Rene approaches Gotham, and the night of his parent’s murder returns to haunt Bruce once more…

Dark City, the second major story arc of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s epic Zero Year event, continues to explore the darker aspects of Bruce Wayne’s early career as Batman #26 sees the Dark Knight faced with a new adversary Dr Death. While he recovers his senses, Bruce watches helplessly as Dr Death throttles Lucius.

It transpires that Helfern, Lucius, and the other murdered scientist were all part of the team hired by Bruce’s uncle, Philip Kane, and that Helfern has returned with his own agenda, having used the formula they developed himself. As he toys with his victims, Dr Death gloats about how he knows a terrible secret to draw Bruce into the open. Suspecting that Dr Death was coming for him next, Lucius actually injected Bruce with a vaccine, and Bruce is able to help him and they try to escape. However, Dr Death’s body continues to change when he is injured, making him stronger and more grotesque than ever.

Snyder and Capullo’s new approach to Bruce Wayne’s early career as Batman took a surprise turn last issue with the introduction of Dr Death, as Zero Year once more takes elements form the golden age of comics and gives them a more modern slant. Dr Death first appeared in Detective Comics #29 (1939) as Batman’s very first reoccurring super villain, Dr Karl Hellfern, a scientist that developed a formula from pollen to blackmail the rich with the help of his servant, Jabah. Dr Death was defeated by Batman, and seemingly killed in a fiery explosion at his lab, but he returned again in Detective Comics #30 with a new scheme, and Batman later discovers Dr Death’s face was disfigured in the fire; leaving him with a horrible skeletal appearance.

After only just managing to escape Dr Death with their lives Bruce and Lucius are rushed to hospital, where Bruce later wakes from a vivid dream-like memory of events where he was once incarcerated, to find Alfred at his bedside informing him that his fight with Dr Death  has left him suffering from a cranial fracture. Lieutenant Gordon arrives to question Bruce about what he knows about Dr Death so they can prevent any more scientists being killed.

What follows gives us a much deeper insight into the bitter animosity Bruce holds towards Gordon and the GCP Police department. Batman #26 opens with the young Bruce Wayne playing truant and watching a film alone at the Theater, a film that will soon hold great significance as that fateful night in Crime Alley draws near. Bruce remembers how Gordon and his partner, Detective Dan Corrigan, drove him back to the station, stopping at several businesses along the way, just “checking in” to protect their neighbourhood, and receiving a gift along the way. It is this gift, the trench coat that Gordon still wears today, that exemplifies how much Bruce doesn’t trust Gordon, considering him just as corrupt as the rest of the GCPD, before turning the tables on the Lieutenant as he confronts him with the one memory he can never, ever forget.

Capullo’s striking redesign for Dr Death has given the character a complete overhaul, Helfern’s face and body are now horrifically distorted, his mouth is a mass of jagged teeth, and his bones continue to grow and twist whenever he is injured. I loved the scenes where he almost crushes Bruce’s skull, leaping from the darkness, his back a twisted mass of bones. While he looks radically different, Dr Death’s return in The New 52 is a clear homage to the characters Golden and Silver age appearances, and Snyder cleverly integrates the character into Zero Year with the added twist of introducing Lucius Fox and his connection to the team that originally helped Helfern develop the formula.

I also really enjoyed the flashbacks where young Bruce is at the Theater and Gordon acts as truant officer, Greg Capullo transports us back to this moment in time, and brilliantly conveys the emotional impact of these scenes as events unfold and gradually merge into the present, when Bruce confronts Gordon at the hospital. The scenes with Dr Death are also wonderfully dark and horrific, with Danny Miki’s inks and FCO Plascencia’s colors bringing an added sense of revulsion and horror to this ghoulish character. It’s also interesting to note how the colors and tones alter as the time shifts between the past, the present and back again on a number of occasions in Batman #26, completely drawing you into the story.

With super storm Rene closing in on Gotham, we rejoin Batman as he races across the bay in the Bat Boat in an attempt to save the two remaining scientist hired in his group at the Newton Centre before Dr Death can reach them. Once inside the building, a weather centre set up by Philip Kane to research and develop technologies weaponizing weather; Batman finds he is too late. The scientists have already been injected with the formula, they are beyond help but before he can act the GCPD surprise Batman and open fire…

Batman #26 may keep the Riddler in the background, but his presence is never far from the main storyline, and Nygma’s role in events is beginning to take shape as his web slowly closes around Bruce Wayne and Gotham.  As well as brining back Dr Death, Scott Snyder also explores Lucius Fox’s place in the Bat Mythos. It’s also interesting to see Bruce and Gordon at this early stage in their lives, and I look forward to seeing how Snyder will forge the foundations of the bond that one day will make Gordon one of Batman’s most trusted allies. The cliff hanger ending puts Batman in mortal danger, but somehow I think bullet wounds are going to be the least of his worries.

As well as seeing the debut of another Bat-Vehicle, the Bat Boat / Bat Jet Ski, in Batman #26, this issue also has a fantastic cover by Capullo and FCO Plascencia, with Batman standing on Dr Death’s skeletal hand before a dusty twilight sky. The variant cover by Dustin Nguyen is really striking as well, with Dr Death peering out at us, milky wet eye gleaming in a face of distorted bone, pointed teeth locked in a vicious sneer.

I have enjoyed every issue of Zero Year so far, Snyder and Capullo have done a fantastic job of revisiting Batman’s origin. We will have to wait a little while longer though to see how the Dark City story arc of Zero Year will end, as Scott Snyder has announced a change to the scheduling for February’s Batman #28, originally solicited as the finale of this arc, Batman #28 will now be a special “spoiler” issue written by Snyder, James Tynion, and drawn by Dustin Nguyen, that will take place six years in the future and offer us a glimpse of what to expect in 2014. March’s Batman #29 will then take us back into the Zero Year storyline and conclude the Dark City arc.

Scott Snyder made this Bat-Announcement on Twitter this Tuesday (10^th December), to thank all the fans of the series for their support. This special issue sounds brilliant and I would just like to say a big thank you back to Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, and all the Bat-Team for making Zero Year such an exciting story that has kept me enthralled right from the start. So read and enjoy Batman #26 safe in the knowledge that  2014 now has even more surprises for us to look forward to.

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Batman #25 Review

Tags

Batman, Batman #25, Batmobile, Dark City, DC Comics, FCO Plascencia, Greg Capullo, James Tynion IV, Scott Snyder, Zero Year

Batman #25

Review by Paul Bowler

Contains Spoilers

Gotham has been plunged into darkness by the Riddler, leaving the city in the grip of a frenzied crime wave as the GCPD resolve to hunt down the Batman. With a major storm set to hit Gotham in the next few days, Batman investigates a series of grisly murder scenes as he waits for the Riddler to make his next move. Old wounds are reopened when Bruce clashes with Lieutenant Gordon, the Batmobile takes to the streets of Gotham for the first time, and a new enemy prepares to strike at Bruce Wayne from the shadows…

Batman #25 starts with an intriguing prologue in Nigeria before Snyder and Capullo’s Zero Year: Dark City returns us to the streets of Gotham, where the CGPD are going all out to capture Batman and his new Batmobile! After evading the GCPD, Bruce returns to the Cave to evaluate the Riddler’s plans with Alfred and find out what killed the two Wayne Enterprises researches. Both victims were injected with a formula that caused their bones to grow rapidly, tearing their bodies apart, and it seems the serum was developed by a former Scientist at Wayne Enterprises…

After a tense meeting with Lieutenant Gordon, where secrets about the murder of Bruce’s parents are confronted but left unresolved, Bruce goes to Gotham University to meet Lucius Fox. Knowing that Lucius was trusted by his father, Bruce asks him about the scientist who was hired and the formula he developed. As he learns the truth about the serum, Bruce is shocked by betrayal and a new adversary is revealed…

Batman #25 is a great example of how Snyder and Capullo’s new take on the Batman’s origin continues to thrill and surprise at every turn. This issue is much more than Batman roaring around Gotham in his brand new Batmobile, which is great fun, and Snyder and Capullo ingeniously orchestrate how the vehicle escapes the GCPD. The “new” Batmobile itself is very much a reflection of this younger Batman’s personality, as is the way he drives it, and I think Capullo’s early version of Batman’s iconic vehicle is absolutely brilliant!

We also get some great scenes with Lieutenant Gordon as he investigates the gruesome murder scene, and later when he almost stumbles on the entrance to the Batcave. This leads to a superb moment between Bruce and Gordon, where it becomes clear there is a lot of bad blood between them, due to Gordon’s involvement on the night Bruce’s parents were murdered. The dialogue in this scene crackles as Bruce makes no attempt to hide his animosity towards Gordon, and we are left wondering for now exactly what happened to cause such rift between them.

It’s no secret that Poison Ivy would be making her debut in this section of Zero Year, and Pamela Isley does indeed appear, but it is the unexpected introduction of another villain from Batman’s past that will surprise many. It’s great to see another of Batman’s villains redesigned by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, especially as it embraces so many elements of the past, while fitting in perfectly with Zero Year and their new approach to Batman’s early career.

The art by Greg Capullo is as awesome as ever, with inks by Danny Miki, FCO Plascencia’s colors, and letters by Nick Napolitano. With the Riddler’s attack on the cities power grid causing a blackout, Capullo makes the Gotham skyline seem even more menacing than ever before. The spectacular opening, where searchlights from the GCPD blimps cut through the darkness as they attempt to track the Batmobile, is really effective. You get a real sense of a city on the brink, with Batman maintaining order as he runs rings around GCPD, before we come to that aforementioned scene with Bruce and Gordon that really heightens the dramatic tension – and the excellent use of tone and color by Danny Miki and FCO Plascencia accentuate every scene perfectly. The gory murder scenes are also vividly detailed, with the corpses horribly twisted and distorted almost beyond recognition.

The back up story for Batman #25 by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, with art by Andy Clark, features a young Harper Row and her little brother Cullen who are left on their own by their father during the blackout caused by the Riddler. This is a great little tale, were Harper looks after Cullen when he is afraid of the dark, and it also nicely illustrates how Zero Year is about to spin-off into a number of other DC titles as Harper fixes a lamp.

Batman #25 is another exciting and compelling issue by Snyder and Capullo. Zero Year continues to impress, offering new insight into Jim Gordon and the events surrounding the Wayne’s murder, a fleeting glimpse of Pamela Isley, and the surprise appearance of an old villain from the past makes Batman #25 unmissable.

Batman #24 Review

Tags

Batman, Batman #24, Bruce Wayne, Danny Miki, DC Comics, FCO Plascencia, Greg Capullo, Rafael Albuquerque, Scott Snyder, The Red Hood, The Red Hood Gang, Zero Year

Batman #24

Review by Paul Bowler

[Contains Spoilers]

Batman #24 marks the moment where Bruce Wayne finally becomes the Batman, donning the cape and cowl for the first time in his war against crime, in this incredible double-double sized issue. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s new take on the Dark Knight’s origin continues to reach new levels of brilliance as the fourth chapter of Zero Year unfolds, with Batman hunting down the Red Hood Gang and their mysterious leader. Secret origins are revealed as major events alter the course of Zero Year and Batman’s life forever…

Bruce Wayne has taken to the streets as the Batman to track down the members of the Red Hood Gang, who have been stealing chemicals and materials from various locations across Gotham City. As the Red Hood’s reign of terror builds towards its endgame, following Alfred’s advice Bruce goes to Philip Kane and asks him for information about the Red Hood Gang. Bruce is shocked to learn members of the gang branded his uncle with his Red Hood designation number, after they learned he’d tried to contact the Police.

Back at the cave Bruce uses the key Philip gave him to access the tracking hub, it seems the Red Hood Gang have been targeting nearly every Wayne Depot, except for one, ACE Chemicals. Bruce decides to make a statement to the press outside ACE Chemicals, where he speaks of his hopes and aspirations for the future of Gotham, before revealing how the Red Hood Gang tried to kill him and are planning to poison the city with a deadly toxin they are manufacturing in ACE Chemicals.

The news report catches the attention of Commissioner Loeb, who sends one of his officers to investigate, Jim Gordon. At the scene, Gordon watches in horror as The Red Hood Gang launch RPG’s at the press conference. In the confusion Bruce manages to slip inside the building, where he is caught by the Red Hood. The Red Hood reveals how he intends to unleash the toxin the following day – the fifteenth anniversary of the murder of Bruce’s parents.

Alfred has been monitoring the situation from a van outside, he causes a power blackout, which helps give Bruce the opportunity to change into Batman. As the gang are left reeling from Batman’s attack, Gordon and his men burst into the building. Tragedy strikes for Bruce as the Red Hood makes for the roof. Evading Gordon and his men, Batman catches up with the Red Hood before he can escape and they plummet into the burning chemical plant to face each other one last time…

Its been a long wait, but from the moment you eagerly turn those first few pages of Batman #24 it becomes apparent that Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have put their heart and soul into this issue. Dark City Part One not only gives us the first chance to see Batman in action in Zero Year, it also sees the culmination of the Red Hood’s plans, which lead to an explosive showdown in ACE Chemicals. Then of course we have the new design for Batman’s first suit, a sublime homage to Bob Kane’s original, a fusion of traditional styling with modern militaristic embellishments, snazzy gloves, and a sharper, more angular looking cape and cowl.

The suit is superb, the glimpse of a Batmobile covered by a sheet leaves your nerves tingling, the cave is being slowly equipped and assessed for expansion, and even Bruce’s close-cropped haircut shows how Snyder and Capullo’s new approach to the Bat-Mythology offers a clear insight into what Bruce Wayne’s journey to becoming Batman would be like today. As Zero Year is set six years ago, in terms of The New 52 continuity, this issue successfully reinvents itself though its present-day setting while reaming true to its time honoured past.

There are some really great nods to the past and the future in Batman #24, all effortlessly weaved into the plot by Scott Snyder. Members of the Red Hood Gang have already grown to fear Batman, speaking of him in hushed whispers, and comparing him with urban legends of witches and “Owls”. Alfred’s quip about Bruce not installing fire poles to access the cave, is a fun tip of the hat to the Batman TV series staring Adam West and Burt Ward, were Batman and Robin used to slide down the poles – inexplicably changing costume along the way – to get to the Batcave. Over at GCPD Bruce’s appearance on the news leads to a remark from the Commissioner about Harvey “Dent”, and we also see Gordon examining a board covered in pictures and clues pertaining to the Red Hood Gang and Batman. The explosive finale brings Gordon’s first encounter with Batman, yet another defining moment for Zero Year and the characters, where Batman saves Jim from a falling beam.

There are also some excellent character moments between Bruce and Alfred, with Pennyworth offering guidance as and when needed, as well as providing vital backup when Batman is inside ACE Chemicals. Bruce’s meeting with Philip Kane sheds new light on the Red Hood Gangs activities. They reconcile their differences, and although Bruce uncle’s motives may have been misguided, his attempt to redeem himself comes at a price.

The art by Greg Capullo and Danny Miki for Batman #24 is simply phenomenal, everything from the towering skyline of Gotham to the vastness of newly-equipped Bat cave and intricate detail of Bruce’s first bat-suit, Batman #24 looks amazing. The blackout Alfred instigates is beautifully accomplished by Capullo, a shadowy take on the bat-signal that rightly deserves its full page, and the sprawling network of gantries inside ACE Chemicals which lead up to the final confrontation between Batman and the Red Hood provide the ultimate payoff for Scott Snyder’s inspired approach to Batman’s origin.

Special mention must also go to the incredible colors by FCO Plascencia, which infuse this fourth chapter of Zero Year with an almost cinematic quality, serving up moody twilight skies as Batman stalks the Red Hood Gang across the rooftops, and making scenes between Bruce and Alfred in the cave feel epic as any blockbuster as FCO’s exquisite tones enhance the subterranean expanse that Bruce is rapidly transforming into his new base of operations.

As well as a superb cover by Greg Capullo, featuring our first glimpse of Batman’s cowl, Batman #24 also has a variant cover by Guillem March. This cover features the Red Hood plummeting towards a bubbling vat of green chemicals, with Batman’s image reflected in the red helmet as he reaches out to save him. Ever since the Joker’s origin story first appeared Detective Comics #168 in 1951, written by Bill Finger, “The Man Behind the Red Hood” has remained an integral part of the Clown Prince of Crime’s early years. Guillem March’s variant cover captures this iconic moment perfectly, indeed, as soon as it became clear the Red Hood would be a major player in Zero Year, speculation has been rife about whether the character would indeed become the Joker at some point.

So, the burning question is, does Batman #24 see the Red Hood’s identity stripped away, his flesh seared white and his hair turned green after his fall into vat of chemicals, emerging with a maniacal grin on his face? Well, not exactly, lets just say that  iconic scene above the vat of chemicals does play out up to a point, but with a surprising twist that will leave you wondering long after you‘ve finished reading this issue.

The coda for Batman #24, written Scott Snyder and James Tynion, with art by Rafael Albuquerque, where Alfred and Bruce discover some rather interesting facts about the Red Hood, casting yet more mystery and intrigue over his true identity.  The Riddler also makes a return, providing us a glimpse of his new costume. Finally we get a  taste of what the next segment of Zero Year may hold as Nygma broadcasts a message, unleashing a riddle that plunges Gotham into darkness.

The early chapters of Zero Year saw how the young Bruce Wayne struggled to rid Gotham of the Red Hood Gang, before finally embracing his destiny to become the Batman. The Bruce Wayne of Zero Year, newly returned  from his travels around the world to complete his training, has been portrayed as a much less disciplined character, prone to angry outbursts, and more than a little overconfident in his own abilities. Its been fascinating to see him slowly finding his way throughout these early chapters of Zero Year, with Alfred playing a crucial role in keeping him grounded. His fighting style as Batman is a little rougher around the edges to what we‘re used to, but what Bruce lacks in finesse he more thank makes up for with his youthful aggression and intimidating presence. The scene where he takes out the members of the Red Hood Gang, tying each one to a sign to form a bat symbol, is brilliantly staged as Batman swoops from the shadows..

Zero Year has enabled Snyder and Capullo to draw on many of the iconic moments from Batman’s past, offering a different perspective just as Miller’s Year One did in the 80’s and Christopher Nolan’s more recent Batman trilogy based the character in a more grounded reality. Although the setting are indeed similar, Snyder’s modernisation of Batman’s origin helps bring an entirely new and more relevant slant on the villains and gangs that Batman would now be facing in current times.

Batman #24 is a fantastic issue, loaded with stylish action, as well as some surprising twists, the fourth part of Zero Year delivers on every level. Just as the Nolan films rebooted the movie franchise, and with Fox developing a new Gotham TV series about Jim Gordon’s early years in the city’s police department, it is perhaps fitting that Zero Year is also readdressing Batman’s origins at this time. The legacy of the Dark Knight is continually evolving, offering writers and filmmakers the chance to expand on what has gone before, allowing us to revisit these character time and again, generation after generation.

Whether you agree that Batman’s early years needed retelling or not, Batman #24 is arguably a well measured attempt to update the story, insomuch that Snyder and Capullo have remained entirely faithful to the character – crafting a seamless fusion of past and present with a decidedly modern twist. Batman #24 not only manages to live up to the hype, it exceeds all expectations, and is a worthy addition to the legacy of the Dark Knight.