Review: Batman #99

Batman issue 99 gives us chaos on a massive level even while taking the time for some major character moments. With all of the changes and crossovers that we have over it is always good to get some great character work as part of the larger arc.

Thankfully James Tynion IV gives us plenty here. This issue really takes time to delve into the modern perspectives of the Batman, the Joker and Harley Quinn. These are characters we have seen in these positions before, but it is nonetheless well done.

The art by Jorge Jimenez as always bring massive stakes and an incredibly talented perspective. He is one of the greatest artists in the business and this issue pops in every panel with his visuals and the dynamic colors by Tomeu Morey.

We get to see the full scope of the chaos that Joker has brought to Gotham. His reasoning isÂ rooted in the power of anarchy against order. When a system is not working, he posits, it needs to be torn down. The incredible art in this issue highlights the mass destruction chaos and bloodshed that the Joker is bringing to the city.

All of this is enough for Batman to gather his allies together and finally, finally bring Nightwing back as the true hero in his true costume. It is an amazing moment seeing the Batman family back together. This is interrupted by Harley Quinn who shows nothing but disrespect for the moment.

Harley is not having it with the lack of willingness to kill the Joker. Given his willingness to kill mass amounts of people her argument is one that many fans have put forward many times. She wants to see the Joker dead for the crimes that he has committed and the bloodshed he has brought.

Of course this is an argument that Batman has had with many vigilantes before. Batman will not allow the Joker to be killed. This conviction however is pushed to another test at Ace Chemicals. Here not only does Harley threaten Batman with killing the Joker but when Batman enters the lair he is met with a horrifying semblance of Alfred in zombie Joker form.

We then get an amazing version of the Joker mashed up as the Batman. It has been tried before but not with the amazing artistic styling of Jorge Jimenez. This sets up an epic setup for what should be a wild ride in next months big finale. This is an issue bursting with solid characterization and quality art. It is not entirely original, but it is a well done, classicÂ tale.Â

Writing: 4 of 5 stars
Art: 4.6 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.7 of 5 starsÂ

Overall: 4.4 of 5 starsÂ

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Jorge Jimenez
Colors: Tomeu Morey
Publisher: DC ComicsÂ

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.