Review: Batman #59

Watching a hero fall brings a multitude of emotions. There are elements of somberness as an icon disintegrates into a shell of what they once were, but that devolution can in a way be fascinating to witness. Obviously, a real-life fall from grace brings much more baggage than a fictional one. Although a character that is to the level of Batman“s popularity will certainly garner a level of attention that will make you forget he is not, in fact, a real person. Tom King“s run has been polarizing for some fans, and it is unlikely issue number fifty-nine will do much to change that.

Since the notorious wedding that was not to be King has been putting Batman through a cavalcade of horrors. Ones designed to ”˜Break that Bat“ in a much more psychological manner. Hope for restitution has come from an unlikely source. The Penguin seeks to reveal to Batman what we already know–that Bane is secretly running Gotham from Arkham. Pulling all the strings that have left Bruce a shell of who he once was. The question, of course, is if Batman will believe his former foe or if this is just another piece of Bane“s master plan. In order to find the truth, he decides to travel into the belly of the beast and visit Arkham himself.

Considering how far ahead we are of Batman at the moment there is an undercurrent of inevitability as we wait for him to catch up with what is really going on. On one hand, as a reader, you can better partake in his frustration as Batman is trying so desperately to get to the truth that is right in front of him. King knows how to utilize dramatic irony in a way that is effective like this by making a tragic outcome even more tragic as a simple truth could solve a messy dilemma. The standout moment in this issue may not cause the shockwaves of previous climatic moments but it does have an impact and symbolizes just how far Batman has fallen. One of King“s greatest gifts as a writer is making small moments feel big. This issue is an example of that.

One connecting theme through these different arcs as been the messiness of love. How without its gentle touch it can twist a mind to become a cold unforgiving monster like KGBeast, or now how a man that has done unspeakable evils could do a selfless act for the person he cares for. At times King“s voice can become overly prevalent. This fascination with eyes, what they represent, and how they linger in one’s memory dominates much of The Penguin“s dialog. Of course, harkening back to the infamous Batman issue fifty that had both Selina and Bruce commenting on the same feature. It comes off as a forceful motif that unnatural;u connects this entire narrative that is been building for nearly sixty issues.

Mikel Janin“s art is as strong as ever. The issue has this confined atmosphere to correspond with how trapped Batman has become. After the opening page, there is not an open space to be found. Backgrounds are closed in and Janin places the perspective in a slightly zoomed in position. The action in your face in a brutal way, not allowing you to look away at the torture that is occurring. When it does get pulled back it is to emphasize a moment like Batman entering a cell or to provide a sense of place.

Final Thoughts:

With Batman #59 Tom King“s breaking of the Bat continues. There is a conundrum as his stories are as affecting as ever considering how all these continuous thematic threads are beginning to converse, however, the transparent certainly of where the narrative is eventually heading does bring with it a level of frustration. That coupled with the distraught of watching Batman emotionally crumble can make it a tasking read. If you can invest into this journey there is plenty to appreciate in how King is pushing the character of Batman into uncomfortable places. If the potential that is building is paid off this will go down one of the best characters studies into the figure that is Batman.

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Writer: Tom King
Artist: Mikel Janin
Color Artist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Clayton Cowles

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Daniel Clark

A fan of all things comics. Growing up on a healthy diet of 90's Batman and X-Men cartoon series ignited a love for the medium that remains strong today.