“The Dying City” – Part Four
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artists: Tony S. Daniel
Color Artist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Review by Max Byrne
Batman #156 is an action packed issue, that certainly features a lot more combat than in recent months. But, it does so to enhance the narrative, as this issue contains several reveals that will certainly whet the appetite for what’s to come next!
Twisted Riddle
Amidst the brutality, the villainous endgame is revealed. No spoilers here, but it is eerily relevant in today’s world, with the real life events currently unfolding in Eastern Europe. Zdarsky has managed in this issue to make the stakes so much bigger than before. Whilst Gotham is still the epicentre of the action, the world around it has got bigger. What we thought was a case of The Riddler being the arch villain of the piece wasn’t even close! Throwing in a foreign superpower has certainly upped the ante and the final page reveal of a “beastly” foe is a real mic drop moment.
As previously mentioned, there is action galore in this issue. Batman isn’t piecing everything together during a period of quiet reflection, oh dear me no! Instead our hero is running a gauntlet of situations that can only be resolved with some mighty bouts of fisticuffs, talk about thinking on the move! An exoneration for Jim Gordon (albeit not morally), Riddler’s true status as a mere pawn and the potential for World War 3 are all depicted amidst the brutal ballet, which is a tribute to both the storytelling and the exceptional art of Tony S. Daniel. Daniel’s action panels are full of kinetic energy that leaps off the page and enhances the reading experience in a big way.
Right Under Your Nose
Gordon’s path is an interesting one. Whilst he wasn’t directly to blame for the demise of Mayor Nakano, his willingness to engage in an illicit affair with Mrs Nakano means that he still has a certain amount of blood on his hands. Zdarsky doesn’t shy away from showing Gordon to be a deeply flawed man with a liberal view of marital vows, both his and other peoples! This gives extra layers to the character. A bit of moral ambiguity goes a long way when it comes to making characters more identifiable and I am intrigued to see the next part of the character’s journey.
Conclusion
Batman #156 has set the stage for an earth shattering few issues to come. The future of Gotham is at stake, which is nothing new, but the global ramifications are potentially cataclysmic. Enter The Beast…
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment