Synopsis: The all-new Batman makes his debut! Who is he, and what happens next? Find out here as a new era begins in Gotham City!
We are experiencing something new in the pages of Batman this month, yet it is also something rather familiar if you’re a longtime reader. Bruce Wayne is “gone” and the legend of the Dark Knight must go on. Therefore, there’s a new face behind the cowl. Just 7 years ago, we faced this sort of dilemma after the events of Batman R.I.P. I was even around in the 90’s when they tried this with Knightfall. Every once in a while, DC decides to $hake things up (if you know what I mean) and flirts with the death of the one true Batman, Bruce Wayne. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are behind this latest stunt and though the team has been nothing short of incredible in their run, this could be their most challenging story yet.
Warning: spoilers ahead.
Batman #41 is book-ended with a man sitting on a bench. My first guess was the Joker, I don’t know about yours. Then we get right into the action of this new suit fighting an Electro-ish man on the streets of Gotham. Most of us already know Jim Gordon is the man behind the cowl now, but in case we didn’t, there are flashbacks throughout the issue showing us how we have gotten to this point. Gordon doubted the absurd idea of taking over the suit, was convinced, went through changes and has now taken up the role. Not all is as it seems, though, for we are lead to believe he is inside this new robosuit… until he busts into a room with a sleek, more Batman-ish suit instead. The issue ends with the good guy on top, speaking to himself, before we are lead to believe that man on the bench is really Bruce Wayne.
When this massive change was first announced, there were the obvious doubters/haters/fanboys that wanted to abolish the move and think they could actually prevent it from happening. I wasn’t in that group, but I was disappointed. I don’t enjoy someone else behind the cowl. Bruce Wayne is Batman, and Batman is Bruce Wayne. Though I did enjoy Snider’s run on Detective a few years back where Dick Grayson took up the mantle, I like my Dark Knight served with a lot of Bruce. That was my thoughts before reading this issue, and that hasn’t change since reading it.
Now, don’t get me wrong. This new story is off to a good and interesting start. There is some good action, some good timeline jumps and a few minor surprises that show a change like this is in good hands with Snyder and Capullo. For anyone who has doubts with the direction of Batman, don’t worry, Scott Snyder knows it too. He practically hammers it over our heads with dialogue throughout the story (which grew a little tiresome at times, even though the Batman Zur-En-Arrh reference was quite comical). Plus, as expected, the art is wonderful. This was a decent comic book story.
But I want a Batman story with my Batman. I know that sounds like I’m being close-minded, but it’s the truth. This team is unstoppable and can do no wrong. If you’re looking for a good story that’s different than anything we’ve seen before, stay tuned because this is right up your alley.
I just don’t know if it’s a journey I want to take.
Rating: 8/10
