Scott Snyder: writer
Greg Capullo: pencils
Jonathan Glapion: inks
The Comic
Heart felt trippiness.
Snyder has focused more on Batman in this comic than looking after the supporting Bat-cast. There has been very little Robin action, but since that relationship is being developed over in Batman and Robin, I can manage. But there are two distinct moments in this comic that sends the same message in this comic that Batman and Robin does month in and month out.
Now, moving past that moment, let's look at the opening ones. We get the info that the Batsignal is named Siggy. We see the supporting Bat-cast.
Then things get trippy.
Batman is in the huge maze that he feel in at the end of last issue. The whole issue is one drug induced work or gorgeousness. The Talon, the assassin of the Court of Owls, is right behind Bruce the whole time, following as Bruce slowly goes mad. If this comic was designed to just see Batman go crazy, then the creators have won.
New readers won't get much from this if this is the first issue you pick up. There are some areas of groundwork that you can follow along, but you won't get the grander sense of The Court and what they are up to. You may have a hard time just trying to understand Bruce's narration. And when the page starts to tilt, then you will think you've gone a little crazy.
The art goes from normal, to a widescreen -turn the comic sideways- kind of feel, to holding it upside down. The panels don't do much distorting themselves so the reader can still follow along, which is nice. this is a departure from artwork like J.H. Williams over in Batwoman which can be confusing for some new readers that you will need to read a couple of different times to see how the story flows.
But, just to have fun, I read the comic in a regular way and didn't turn the page around. Snyder was successful in making the comic being read normal and the comic being read "backwards" so that it flows right either way. Granted, Batman is a blathering idiot here either way, but there seems to be a flow with the writing that is reflective in a way.
This is just your regular monthly installment of Snyder Batman. Enjoy with a warm light, and the room to yourself.
The Cover
I like the use of having the singular light source from above casting shadows on the cover. My one complaint that I see that is weird is the fact that there is blood on one knife that is the opposite of where it is on the wall. The lighting is also just off enough and not coming directly from above so that it makes you tilt your head a bit to view it right. Nice touch.
Grades
Words: 9/10
Pictures: 9/10
Recommend: Not if you are picking it up for the first time. Get this if you have been keeping up.
Buy Next Issue: Hooked. Or skewered. Skewered is the better word here.
Previous Issues
Batman #4
Three Issue Trial
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