Having played his best card, Joker has set the proverbial cat amongst the Batcave. With innocent people lives at stake, Selina has no option other than to let Bruce know about the bomb under the ice rink. Whilst this doesn’t sit well with Bruce, he sets about doing what he does best before returning to do the other thing he does well; brood Through it all, Phantasm is still looking for her son and Helena is still looking for answers to help her understand what her mother has done. All in all a lot of busy work, with not a lot actually progressing.
Tom King is in full slow down mode here. The trifold story ensures that none of the separate parts get any real traction, with the non-linear aspects sounding quite clever at first, becoming a tad routine. I wonder how this book would differ if told as three parts; past present (sort of and future) rather than trying to interlock every few pages? Say what you will about King, he certainly has the Bat Cat relationship down well, with the twists and turns coming thick and fast. Each of them are equals; Bruce’s comment about how people don’t stare at him when Selina is there could be seen as another way to stay in shadows. Things get a little dicey with the movie referencing monologue; I get it, you like the movie. Truth be told, we ALL like the Mask of the Phantasm!
Clay Mann’s art still has a classic look that is engaging. It is a pleasure looking at this book. Helena can still look a tad wonky in places, but for the most part everything works as it should. Personally, I don’t think I would mess with a cat that could take down a penguin! Mann also gets to have fun with some of the Bat Rogues that always seem to be left on the shelf in favour of the Joker. The washed out, painted style colors from Tomeu Morey are gorgeous, adding a certain level of maturity to proceedings. Finally, Clayton Cowles produces another stellar lettering performance.
This book a this stage, is still style over substance. A third of the way through and it feels that we haven’t moved from the starting pont. Does this mean that the final act is going to be rushed? Is rushed even in the Tome King dictionary? I have a nasty suspicion of where this story or at least a key part of it going. I hope I am wrong, as if the backlash of what King put Wally West through was considered harsh, it will pale in comparison if I am correct. I guess time will tell. For the time being, I am sticking with the book, but it I would welcome more substance as despite how gorgeous the art is, my patience could wear out.
Writing – 3.5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars
Overall – 4 Stars
Written by; Tom King
Art by; Clay Mann
Colors by; Tomeu Morey
Letters by; Clayton Cowles
Published by; DC Comics / Black Label
Author Profile
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I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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