Rematch.
We’re coming to the status quo set up in Batman #28, but
frustratingly it seems like everything is becoming filler instead of furthering
the plot.
A weekly series is only as strong as its cast. While
Catwoman, Killer Croc and Jason Bard has been good supporting characters,
that’s all they’ve been – Batman, the great protagonist he is, is struggling to
carry the entire series on his shoulders.
SPOILERS FOLLOW……………….
Selina has decided to follow in her father’s footsteps and
take control of the Gotham Underworld, and the first person she enlists is
Killer Croc. And as a peace offering as Don Kyle, she hands Batman the hide-out
of most of the Rogues that escaped Arkham.
This brings up continuity problems. The last we saw them,
Freeze was knocked out as was Bane and more…so when exactly did they get free.
There is no explanation given, as even Batman doesn’t comment on their early
release from Blackgate (where they would presumably go).
Still, it matters not as Selina’s tip helps Bruce take out
the Rogues, while Killer Croc is able to get a victory in his rematch with Bane
(who threw him off the Wayne
Tower in the infamous
Arkham War, and has a grudge since Knightfall).
Then just as quickly, they’re released by who I presume is
the main antagonist of this story.
Coming to the main antagonist, the Riddler takes centre
stage as he taunts Batman with riddles that ultimately prove to be his downfall
as Batman tracks him down to a mountain shack. He’s scared out of his wits and
when Bruce tries to bring him back, triggers an avalanche that they barely
manage to escape.
Back in Gotham, the Rogues
are presented with Batman’s high end arsenal with Firefly one happy customer,
taking out Selina’s car when she comes in with a proposition to change sides.
Later, Selina leans of Spoiler’s existence and believes she may be the crucial
piece in this war.
At the Gazette, Vicki is disconsolate at Jason Bard’s
betrayal and is in talks with chief editor Warren Spacey when the new intern
Patrick comes in guns blazing. She manages to knock him out but Warren is tethering on
the edge.
Batwing and his roommate meanwhile are apparently suffering
the after effects of the Arkham Hell encounter, while Jimmy Corrigan and an
unconscious Maxie Zeus appear from the sewers unharmed (seriously, that
Corrigan crushed under a stone doesn’t even get a mention). Giving these
B-plots only a few panels really hurt their momentum.
The artwork has its ups and down, but after Fabok’s work
last quarter, this feels a let down. I wish instead of Selina dealing with her
rise in her own book, this could have been better suited for Eternal – it seems
like everyone is taking sudden actions that we never see develop naturally due
to their limited screen presence.
The Bat family has been negligible since the middle of this
series (with continuity defying cameos around every corner) and Jim Gordon
doesn’t seem to merit much mention, with only a rehash of his conflicting
situation with his savior the Lion. And Jason Bard is now ostracized from the rest of the GCPD for the stunt he pulled with the Batmobile.
Bard was the true wild card of the series and if this is all there is to him, I will be severely disappointed. None of the others have really stood out, with the Gang War petering out long ago and Hush being out of the game.
The Riddler was a welcome sight though, and his riddles did more to hint at the things to come (especially the father-daughter and 'echo' ones) than the main story. And his panic at being forced to go back to Gotham put a stamp on the peril Gotham is currently in.
I wish they gave the rest of the family, especially Red
Robin more to do, though given the ominous end with nanobot possessed children
means he and Harper may get to be more involved.
SPOILERS END………………..
Batman Eternal feels like it’s suffering a midlife crisis
with rehashed situations and bloated filler moments that don’t contribute to
the overall story. Most of this can be attributed to Bruce remaining the
protagonist, instead of the Batfamily.
The artwork also takes a downward spiral, only improving
near the end.
So, I give it 6.0 out of 10.
+The Rogues get some much needed focus
+Riddles!
-Too much focus on Batman as a singular protagonist
-Rehashed situations
-Continuity issues
-The artwork takes a downward spiral
No comments:
Post a Comment