Batman #33 - A Review

Having read Batman #33, I cannot envision a more perfect comic with which to mark Batman's 75th anniversary.  Not only does it prove an epic conclusion to the Zero Year and Savage City storylines but it also proves a celebration of everything that makes a good Batman story.  We even get a new origin for The Bat-Signal in the bargain and get to see The Riddler defeated in a way that does nothing to mitigate his brilliance or his new-found sense of menace.


Scott Snyder's script pays tribute to the rich history of Batman while simultaneously exploring new ground.  While the concept that Bruce Wayne may be as crazy as the villains he faces each night is nothing new, Snyder explores the mental depths to which Bruce Wayne has truly sunk as no writer ever has.  Fans of the theory that Bruce Wayne is another victim of the madness that envelopes Gotham City and those who see him as one who has taken up the idealized path of the knight errant in the modern day will both find evidence to support their viewpoints in this story.


In a word, the artwork by Greg Capullo and Danny Miki is excellent.  Unlike the vast majority of Batman art teams in recent years, Capullo's pencils are light and airy and Miki's inks match them perfectly.  This is one of the brightest-looking Batman comics in history and that uniqueness makes it stand out all the stronger in a series where the artwork is usually drowned in ink.

This book should be on every comic-lover's pull list.

Batman #32 - A Review

Zero Year and Savage City continue, as Batman #32 finds Batman, Jim Gordon and Lucius Fox launching a three-wave attack to end The Riddler's control of Gotham City.  But is the Prince of Puzzles one step ahead of them again?  If not, he's certainly doing a good job of playing it cool...


Scott Snyder continues to excel on the writing duties on this title.  The Riddler has never been so dangerous and Snyder has done a fine job of establishing Edward Nygma as a credible threat after years of being stuck in the comic relief corner of Batman's rogues gallery.  Yet for all the high-pctane action in this issue, there are also a number of touching emotional scenes, such as Bruce Wayne leaving a final message for Alfred.


Greg Capullo and Danny Miki do a fantastic job on the issue's artwork.  They are one of the best creative teams to work on Batman in years and they are worthy of any awards it is possible to nominate them for.  Everything is dark and atmospheric, as it should be in a Batman book, but without seemingly overly obscured or the fine detail of the pencils being muddied.

Batman #31 - A Review

I don't think I need to say anything about the excellent artwork of Greg Capullo and Danny Miki after sharing this image.


I want this image as a poster. Hell, I want a Souped-Up BMX Batman action figure based on this scene.

What?  It wouldn't be the stupidest variant action figure ever associated with the Batman brand.  Ever see any of the Knight Force Ninjas?  *shudders*


In all seriousness, this is one of the best Batman books in years and you're doing yourself a disservice if you aren't reading it.  Scott Snyder has restored The Riddler to his status as a major player after years of being a bad joke worthy of The Joker.  More, Batman is honestly having to struggle against an opponent after years of being depicted as the perfect strategist who sees everything coming.  That is a far more interesting character to read about for what my money is worth.  And as you can see, the artwork is damn good.

Batman #30 - A Review

Batman #30 is simultaneously the final act of Zero Year and part one of Savage City.  We finally learn the meaning of the title Zero Year, as The Riddler - now firmly in charge of Gotham City - elected to establish a new calendar when he took over.  It remains to be seen how this will affect Julian Day but I'd just love it if The Calendar Man wound up saving the day instead of Batman, as he fights for the concept of time itself!  This is probably why I review comics instead of writing them.


I appreciate Scott Snyder's attempts to turn The Riddler into a more credible villain but what The Riddler has accomplished here strains credibility.  At least, that's what I thought until Eddie showed his face on the jumbotron in Gotham's equivalent of Times Sqare and Snyder reveals that while the stakes of the game may have been raised, Riddler is still the same know-it-all who has to prove he's smarter than everyone else.  What makes this story so revolutionary is that - for the first time in a long while - you actually believe Edward Nygma is as smart as he thinks he is.  And perhaps even more astonishingly, Batman has actually lost a battle to him.  Twice even!


I hate to dismiss the awesome artwork of Greg Capullo and Danny Miki by describing their work on this issue as "up to their usual standard" or some equally humdrum phrase.  And yet, that sentence - while dull - would be accurate.  Capullo and Miki consistently bring their A-game to this title and it is one of the best looking books on the shop stands as a result.