Batman #18 Review

So, Death of The Family has finished, so lets see what Synder and Capullo had for us in #18. What we saw was another appearance of a couple of new characters that Scott introduced quite a few issues back now. I was very pleased to see Harper back in a Batman issue, and I think the way her character devloping is very intriguing indeed. If you read a lot of reviews on this then you may be tempted to give this issue a miss; but I really highly recommend it a go. Why is that I hear you ask? Will carry on reading and I will tell you.

As mentioned in the intro, we got to see more of Harper in this issue; which is an amazing thing. When she was first introduced a few issues back I really didn't think that we would be seeing her any more. However, when I opened up this issue I was very pleasantly surprised to see her on the first page. We get told what she has been doing for the last few months; which by the way is something that I really liked. It was a great way of showing you just how she has changed over the last few months; meaning we saw exactly how much of a bad ass she is becoming.
I also like the introduction of her and her brothers father in this issue. It adds another layer to the family, and also goes to show just what they have been up against their lives. They are both youngish guys who seem to have some deep personal demons. One of these demons was shown here, and I am really hoping that we will be seeing more of him in the future.

Batman in this issue was also something else. He is still adjusting to the fact that Damian is not in his life anymore; meaning that the bad guys are having a bit more of a harder time than they are used to when dealing with him. I like the way Snyder wrote Bruce here. Admittedly we have seen this before quite a few times, but it is still something that I do enjoy reading. An angry Batman not thinking straight is always good fun.

The last part of this issue saw Harper trying to make Batman change his ways; as she could see that he was destroying himself. Her little speech was rather cheesy, but I think it still fit in quite nicely. It was clear that it gave the caped crusader something to think about, which will mean we will be seeing a different kind of hero next issue no doubt.

I really really enjoyed this issue. Harper is absolutely fantastic, and I am hoping that at some point in the near future Batman will take her under his wing. He mentioned in this issue that it is something he will not be doing, but I am hoping that something will change his mind soon. I am not sure of what Synder's plans are for Harper and her family, but I cant see him developing her for no reason. I guess we will have to see.
This issue needed to be done to show how Batman was dealing with his loss, and I do think everything was handled very well. I am, like everyone else, very excited for #19 where we will be kicking off a brand new arc. Don't be put off by mediocre reviews surrounding this book. Pick it up!

Rating:  8.7 / 10

Batman #17 Review

I have been waiting for this, like everyone else, for months. The conclusion to what has been the most consistent in quality story line I have read for quite some time. Synder and Capullo have so clearly put absolutely everything into this story. They have worked so very hard, and they have been rewarded throughout this story with rave reviews all over the place. This was built up to be another classic Joker story, and even if it will not be looked at in that way in years to come, it will have only just fallen short. So how did this story finally end? Well, it was fantastic, which I am sure does not come as a surprise to anyone.

This issue was very heavy on words, which I did not mind at all seeing as the whole of this story has pretty much been the same. However, before it got wordy, we were shown just exactly what Joker had in store for the Bat family. The situation that Batman and the gang found themselves in was something I really could not see a way out from. I was also shocked to see what was on the plates ( which ended up to be false ), which really made me think that some really heavy **** was about to go down. Luckily for them, everything turned out ok thanks to some very clever writing by Mr Synder. We knew that no one major was going to be killed off, but credit really needs to be given to the writer when explanations and get outs do not feel like cop outs.

So, as I mentioned, it did indeed get kind of wordy in places, but I could not get enough of it. I loved the explanation Joker game for Batman never attempting to kill him. Also, it was great to get a bit of an explanation as to why Joker had taken his own face off. It showed just how messed up he was, and I enjoyed the fact that the reasoning was relatively minimal. I was not wanting a massive explanation for this, as it would have ruined just who the Joker is for me. Yes, he obviously puts a lot of time into his plans, but I like the fact that he can disfigure himself so easily with really loose reasoning.

The final scene of the issue between Joker and Bruce was immense. Bruce teased that he knew who the Joker actually was, which absolutely terrified him. It seems that he has decided to block out who he used to, and he might have genuinely erased it from his memory completely. Bruce ended up to just be bluffing, which I was happy about but also disappointed with. I desperately wanted to know just who the man is, but on the hand it would totally ruin the whole effect Joker has on Batman as well as us readers. This whole scene felt very cinematic and was full of epicness; I thoroughly enjoyed it.
There was also a scene that teased that Joker knew exactly who Batman was. This was also another major highlight for me in this issue. It showed that Joker didn't care who Batman was as it looked like it would have ruined the game for him. This shows again that it is Batman who Joker is totally obsessed with, and how uninterested he is with the man under the cowl.

I have not mentioned everything that happens in this issue in this review, and I have attempted to be as spoiler free as I can be. It is clear that there is going to be some major fallout between Bruce and the rest of the Bat family. I wonder just how long this will go on for? Also, what exactly have they been told by Joker about Batman? I am sure #18 will make things a bit more clear on that. It also looks like Joker will be making a return at some point in the future. How soon in the future is unclear at the minute, but I can guarantee that it will struggle to live up to this storyline. Will it be hailed as a classic in the future? Who knows. However, do I regard it as a classic Joker story? You are damn right that I do.

Rating: 9.5 / 10

Batman #16 Review

I am going to start off by saying that I am 22 years old; and I was really shocked at some things that I saw in this issue. It is by far one of the darkest superhero comic books that I have ever read, and I am not too sure how young teenagers are deemed suitable to read this issue. It is just a bit odd to me.
Saying that, yes it is a dark book, but it is one of the best issues in this current 16 issue series. Joker's plan is finally starting to come together, so we get a lot of answers to our many questions as readers. There is still more to come from Mr J, I am sure, but with this issue we can see just how horrifying his grand plan really is.

This issue mainly focuses on Batman travelling through Arkham Asylum trying to find the Joker. Along the way he encounters many different horrifying images and threats. As a reader we get thrown right into what is going on. At first we are unsure what this first scenario is, but once it becomes clear, we become fully aware of what kind of issue that this is going to be. This may be the Joker's best laid plan of them all. However, the fact that it is as graphic as it is, makes me wonder if this really is him after all. I mean, it has to be though doesn't it?!?

What I really liked about this issue was the fact that even Batman himself seemed to be quite shocked at what he was seeing. Over and over again he was telling himself to not think about it and to just move on as he was getting close to the man he was looking for. I am starting to think that maybe at the end of this arc, Bruce may not be the same again. I am sure Scott Snyder has a very well laid out plan for the future of Bruces' mental state.

The Joker finally did make an appearance towards the end of this issue. He carried on being this new scary monster that we are becoming used to. He seems to have a plan for everything, but that makes sense considering everything him and Batman have been through. The end of this issue shows that he knew exactly what Batman would end up doing to himself, which leads nicely onto the 2nd part of his perfect plan to destroy him in Arkham.

The art by Capullo was once again spot on. He was made to draw a Batman title; this story arc in particular. He just nailed it throughout, with one of the highlights for me being the new "Justice League"; especially Wonder Woman. Read it and you will see exactly what I mean.
The back up story in this issue carried on directly from where this issue ended. It was one of the best back ups so far in this series by a long way as it showed just how much power Joker has over his allies in Gotham City. It also shows that he knows exactly how they will behave too. He is a truly horrendous human being, who you can really not get on top of.

This issue was amazing. There really are no more words to describe it. Scott Snyder is hitting top form with this story line, and you can really tell that he is loving telling us this tale.I know that some people were a bit against #15 in this series, but I am sure that they have changed their minds after reading this. Batman is turning into the best horror comic book out there at the minute, and that is something that I never expected to say.

Rating: 9.5 / 10

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