Review: Batman #106

The future of Batman is now and it is filled with eye-popping visuals, crazy new concept and massive color. James Tynion and Jorge Jimenez introduce the Batman mythos to a kaleidoscope of colors and characters as they introduce an entirely new visual vocabulary to Gotham. Tynion has made it his mission to bring in new characters and a much more kinetic tone and this issues explodes with action, horror and the buildup of multiple menaces.

The issue begins with Bruce captured, covered and his eyes forced open by the Scarecrow as he struggles to maintain his sanity in the face of media induced fear. He flashes back to a high speed chase with the welcome use of Barbara as Oracle bringing a familiar voice among a cast of newer heroes and villains. She works with Batman and new hero Ghost-Maker to rain down neon vengeance onto the members of Wyze’s Unsanity Collective.

The motion, tone, dialogue and art are torn right out of video games. The art by Jorge Jimenez is just as perfect as always but also brings a whole new style with a much higher tone and energy. The colors by Tomeu Morey absolutely transform this book into a must have. Every page of big action and smaller character moments feels like a gift.

Simon Saint arrives on the scene to initiate the Magistrate Program and the Peacemaker agents that ruled over Gotham in Future State. Seeing the beginnings of the Magistrate Program including using the Scarecrow, Unsanity Collective and media targets to create an environment of fear that will lead to military rule feels completely organic and too real in the world we live in. That being said the political overtones and manipulations are entirely part of the story and the team uses it to set up the action rather than hitting us over the head with political parallels.

This book does a great job of focusing on Batman but also clearly expanding our cast of characters to include some newer heroes and villains as well as some classics with a new visual punch. It’s great to see Batman return with a new vigor, direction, dynamism and art style. This is a book that could feel like a 90s tribute in lesser hands but here feels like the beginning of an epic new era.

The main story is followed by an eight page short with Damian working with his mother Talia against the League of Lazarus. The art and action are fun but the story thus far is incredibly similar to what we have seen before, with Damian having to choose between the more tempered path of the Batman and the more murderous path of Ras Al Ghul. Hopefully future chapters of Damian’s journey are more interesting as the false cliffhanger is just not enough to make this feel like anything more than a retread.

Writing: 4 of 5 stars
Art: 4.7 of 5 stars
Colors: 5 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.6 of 5 stars

Writer: James Tynion
Art: Jorge Jimenez
Colors: Tomeu Morey
Publisher: DC Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.