Batman #15 Review

Death of The Family is heating up very nicely indeed. Considering I am only getting this title along with Suicide Squad, I am really enjoying the event so far. Scott Synder and Greg Capullo are knocking it out the park every month with this book, and they seem to have turned up up to 11 with these last few issues.

This particular issue starts where we left off in #14, with Batman and Joker on top of a dam. The conclusion to this battle approaches quickly, but was very nicely done. However, it was what followed from this that really made this book as good as it was.
We finally learned what Bruce Wayne has been keeping from the rest of his family; the fact that Joker may know their identities due to being in the Bat Cave once. I think this is really clever and a nice idea, however I think that Bruce may end up being right as he believes that Joker is just bluffing. It would make everything much more interesting if Joker has known about everyone's identities for all these year. Not only that, it will also make a lot of sense. However, I get the feeling that Synder will not go with that approach, which is a shame.
The next part of this issue is something which I did not see coming at all, even though it makes a lot of sense. The book ends with Batman entering a certain place where apparently Joker is planning a party of sorts for the caped crusader. This makes the next issue a must read, even though it pretty much is one already.

What I loved about this issue more than anything else is Batman's' internal dialogue throughout the book. He is attempting to convince himself that Joker is human just like himself and all the other villains he has ever fought and defeated. The reason I liked it so much is it gave the impression that Bruce is starting to let Joker get to him. It also makes you think that maybe Bruce is doubting whether he can defeat him or not. It is a side of Bruce that we do not see a lot, and I am sure we will see a lot more due to upcoming events in this new location.

Every single panel in this book is beautiful. Greg Capullo is one of my favourite artists, who I really believe was made to draw this character. In my opinion he is the best artist in comic books right now, and that is relly saying something. He is on another level. A lot of credit should also go to the colourist of this particular book, as the colours really bring out the best of Capullo's work; especially the long shots.

Overall, this was another great issue of Batman. In about 15 issues I think there have only been about two that have been not as good as the rest. This is a great series, and this is a really great event. The Joker is more terrifying than every before, and he is only getting worse. A must read.


Rating: 9 / 10

Suicide Squad #14 Review

Well, this is one strange book to review. I have gone from really looking forward to Suicide Squad after reading last months fine issue, to now most likely dropping it after the Death of The Family ( DOTF ) tie ins are done with. What a massive difference a month makes.

So why is this book a funny one to review? Due to the fact that the DOFT tie in bits are brilliant, and the normal squad bits are very mediocre; that is why. The first half of this issue made up predominately of Harley and The Joker were exceptional. The Joker once again came across as completely terrifying. This new and improved persona he has taken on is more aggressive than anything we have ever seen, and I really hope it is here to stay. All the writers in the Batman family of books seem to be in cahoots on how to write him, which makes it a greater reading experience as the character is not having any major personality fluctuations.  I have heard rumours that it may be a copycat, but I really really hope that is not the case.

Now onto the second part of this issue. It was OK. Nothing great. All we see is the rest of the squad after the last mission which saw the death of Deadshot ( I am gutted about that by the way ). However it never really moved their story anywhere, and it just made me totally uninterested in any future story arc which includes this team. The only slightly interested bit is that Waller is planning on bringing Deadshot back from the dead ( or at least that is how I read it ), which would be pretty cool I guess.

So I have officially given up on this series. Yeah, I will buy the tie in issues just purely for any Joker appearances, and also for his interactions with Harley. Apart from that I am done with this series. I am going to miss Harley as she is one of my favourite DC characters; but alone she does not warrant the money that this series costs. If Harley had her own book then I would not have one single regret about dropping this book. It is a shame really as it used to be such a great series, and I hope one day that it can get back to those heights. If it does then I will no doubt be hopping back on board. But for now, me and this series are estranged.


Rating: 6 / 10

( The Joker and Harley = 7 / 10 )

Batman #13 Review

It is quite rare nowadays to be able to give somebody who doesn't read comic books, a single issue in order to get them interested in the medium. However, I have already pushed this on to one of my friends and his feelings towards this book are pretty much identical to mine on this one. It is incredible. There is absolutely no denying it, the return of The Joker has certainly lived up to the hype.

Scott Snyder has consistently been knocking it out of the park writing Batman in the New 52. In fact, off the top of my head I really do not think that there has been a bad issue. This is the reason so many people have been looking forward to this new take on Batman's mightiest foe. If there is one current writer at the moment who I would feel comfortable in writing a Joker story, then he is the man. Although this is only the first issue of a story arc that is running all the way into February, the foundations and the tone have already been set in this issue.

The scene where The Joker infiltrates the GCPD headquarters to steal back his face is executed to absolute perfection. There is a real horror story vibe about it. This is done not only by The Joker's actions, but also the wonderful art, that builds up a real sense of tension and claustrophobia. Seeing Gordon shining the light on areas that The Joker has just been, killing of his men one by one, is something right out of a horror movie. However, it works so well, and really feels like the perfect introduction for everybody's favourite psycho.  Add Gordons' facial expressions into the mix and you really feel like you understand just how terrible an ordeal this is for him, as you feel The Joker closing in on him.

The Joker manipulating a man into reading out some of his deadly intentions on live TV is also something that is not new. However, it feels so much like something that he would do ( and probably has done in the past ) that you just have to embrace it. The way he saw off the Mayor's men when everybody thought he was going to the kill the Mayor himself, also showed a stroke of genius that we know he is capable of. What was also interesting here was the different effect the famous toxin had on these individuals faces who died at the hands of The Joker. It added to the feel that Scott Snyder is trying to get across. Yes, he is The Joker, but he has come back as something more terrifying than we have ever seen. This was confirmed by the appearance of Harley Quinn as she shared these thoughts with Batman.

It is not quite clear what The Joker's true intentions are just yet. He described going after everybody associated with Batman at one stage in the book, as well as the title of the arc also nodding towards something similar to this. I do think this will take centre stage in the story, but I also get the feeling that there will be a lot more typical Joker mayhem that will have a larger affect on the world he is written in. He may have even got his hands on one of Batman's associates right at the end of the book, so we may even get a key death which will certainly shake things up a bit. However, it may be one I am not quite ready for.

The back up story featuring The Joker and Harley Quinn, showing Harley's first interaction with her idol when he returned from his brief hiatus was also a great little read. It showed how she got involved in the events in the main story, and confirmed just how maniacal this Joker seems to be.

I have only received this book today, so I have been hiding from all reviews on this book all week and I am still yet to have read one. I was also slightly worried that I might be left feeling disappointed, even though I have total faith in the team of Scott Snyder and Gregg Capullo considering their portfolio. However, I never had any need to worry, this is just fantastic. It is the story that a lot of Batman fans having been waiting months for, and even one issue in, it looks like it is going to be a truly thrilling ride throughout.

Rating: 9.5 / 10