Batman #25 Review

There are things hiding in the darkness of Gotham…………….

As usual, Scott Snyder delivers again. But instead of going the regular way, he sets up another story -

And yes, that is equal parts creepy and fascinating.

Snyder drops enough hints of future events without compromising the main story and that in itself is an effort worth celebrating.

And Capullo and Clarke live up to the task of giving Snyder’s world life on the canvas.

While Gotham is now literally a dark city, this story deals with the darkness inside Gotham. With the shackles of the Red Hood and Batman’s origin off, Snyder is able to built an unknown element into the story through the introduction of an obscure villain.

SPOILERS FOLLOW………………………….

We first meet up with as army convoy in Nigeria. Apparently, they find a hidden place in the sand dunes, but most of what is happening is shrouded in mystery and Snyder leaves it at that.

The pieces have fallen in place in Gotham as the ‘new’ vigilante is being pursued by the GCPD, apparently oblivious to the threat the Riddler presents. And the appearance of the original Batmobile is a real delight, apparently inspired from race cars! While it is not my favorite version of the vehicle, the chase sequence (which seemed heavily inspired from Nolan) was brilliantly done.

The next page following the chase was proof of how brilliantly the Snyder-Capullo combo works. The visual is grotesque but intriguing. And we get policeman Bullock, apparently before his detective and donut (he isn’t that fat) days!

While I’m not sure how it holds against his plain clothes and lean lookin Detective Comics #25, Bullock represents the overwhelming portion of the GCPD which believes Batman is a menace and killer.

And then we meet Pamela Isley as a witness to the crime. Yes, this is before her Poison Ivy days!

If there were any doubts about Snyder’s ability to handle the analytical side of Batman, they should be swiftly dispersed with. The words reveal how brilliant Batman is and can understand a mind like the Riddler. And while I’m not sure, the screen reveals maybe Lois Lane of Metropolis?

And we are finally shown a man who may or may not be Doctor Death, of Batman Incorporated fame.

But even as we sign in relief to see Bruce so calm and composed, we are given a jolt when as he climbs out of the hole, he is greeted by none other than James Gordon.

Through their words, we get more insight into the Wayne murder and Gordon’s shady past. Apparently Gordon is of Chicago, but during his posting at Gotham, he was the officer assigned to the Wayne murder (and apparently concealed some information). He returned to Gotham years later.

Using a sonar to call the bats, Bruce is able to stop Gordon from looking closer.

Now we come to the last act, and Bruce visits Lucius Fox. The meeting is turned on its head when Bruce gets an injection from a most probably mind-controlled Fox, courtesy Doctor Death (?).

And in Nigeria, the convoy is in flames and everyone is dead.

The backup features art by Clarke and highlights Harper Row and her brother during the blackout. A short but sweet segment.

SPOILERS END………………………..

With another brilliant combination of Capullo’s pencils and Snyder’s words, we get the next chapter highlighting not only Batman’s but Gotham City’s beginning as a city plagued by darkness on every side.

Excellence is very hard to come by, but Scott is coming very close to it.

So, I give it 9.5 out of 10.

+The visuals. This is a beautiful and grotesque book.

+Snyder knows the ins and outs of Bruce

+More secrets emerge

-An arc featuring someone like Death instead of following on the Riddler may not be to everyone’s liking