Writer: Judd Winick
Pencils: Ben Oliver
Inks: Ben Oliver and Brian Reber
The Solicitation
The past looms large as Batwing's early days as a crime fighter come to light, gaining the attention of Batman. In the present, the adventure comes full circle as Batwing faces off against Massacre in the shadows of the Pyramids of Egypt. The mystery of Massacre begins unfolding as the truth of Africa's greatest Super Hero team, The Kingdom, unravels.
Preview
The Story
Solicitation is pretty spot on. We start off with a scene from three years ago where Batwing is just David. He sees his fellow police officer take a bribe and offer it to David to keep David quite. Obviously, our hero is not pleased, and decided that since he was raised by the General Ayo Keita, he will start to honor what's right. This certainly will lead him to being noticed on Batman's radar, but that is for later in this issue.
In present day we see Massacre go after another member of the Kingdom. His name is Daniel Balogun and he was Steelback. Basically, he has no powers of his own, he was like an Ironman type of character. Enter in Batwing just before Massacre could kill Daniel outright.
Flash to the past and we see David dressed in all black kicking some butt of some evil doers. We get a good couple of pages of fight before Batman shows up in the shadows with an offer for David.
Cue modern day. Batwing and Massacre fight. Massacre one again uses Batwing's costume against him by pinning one of the wings of his costume with his machete into a wall. Since this isn't the first time that we've seen this tactic, I hope that Batwing learns he has to tech down a little in the next fight. As Massacre walks away, Batwing realizes that the way he walks is eerily similar to General Ayo Keita himself, and Batwing starts to assume that they are one and the same. Massacre tries to board a bus that Steelback is on, but Batwing sets Massacre on fire first.
Massacre leaves the battle scene, leaving a member of the Kingdom alive. Batwing takes Steelback to Batman. Together, they realize that the next stop for Massacre would be to go to Gotham City, home of two more members of the Kingdom. Cue the last page of Batman saying that they must go to Gotham, and help is there for them. Then we see Nightwing and Robin perched up on top of a couple of buildings in Gotham.
You knew that Batman would be in this book sometime. Its a rule of superhero comics, the second issue must feature a guest star to help the hero and to help sell the book. I am glad that we are this far along in the story before we have a major guest appearance by Batman in this regard. This gave time for Batwing's character to develop, and I'm liking where it is going.
I must admit, I think the reveal that the General is Massacre is a red herring. I still believe that David's brother is Massacre. Only time will tell how right I am.
The Art
Oliver is back and the art is per usual for him. I've gotten used to it and Oliver maintains a consistency with how he draws and its not something I can knock too much after getting used to it.
As a minor note, it seems that issue #9 will bring a new artist to the book. Hopefully Oliver can be the one artist from here until that issue. It will be interesting to see how his Gotham City looks next issue. I am concerned that whoever takes over for her might mimic the cover art that is shown. Oliver has a way of portraying Batwing that doesn't make him look cartoonish and makes his head gear look natural.
The Cover
Bah. It feels like a first person shooter perspective. The art doesn't match the interior, and I can't take Batwing too serious with the look. This could look like an interior panel. There isn't much here that makes it stand out.
Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 7/10
Recommend: What I thought would be the finale for the first story arc, but its anything but. Passable.
Buy Next Issue: Maybe that's the finale? Probably not. But knowing that issue #9 brings the Court of Owls to Batwing and he is still in Gotham, I don't like the idea that the first African Batman has to finish his opening story in Gotham and not in his own turf.
Previous Issues
Batwing #5
Batwing #4
Three Issue Trial
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