“Money And Blood“
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artists: Jorge Jimenez
Color Artist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Review by Max Byrne
Batman #10 portrays the fallout from the previous issue, with Fraction showing how the deliberate destruction of Wayne Manor is the first step in Batman’s masterplan to defeat Vandal Savage and remove him from Gotham City. Whilst it was the ultimate sacrifice, it’s not the first time the Wayne ancestral home has gone up in smoke. I dread to think what the insurance premiums are for Bruce! Coupled with Barbara Gordon’s capture and incarceration, it is all part of the plan. Exactly how it will all play out remains to be seen, but the next few issues should make for some interesting reading for sure.
Upgrades
Big things are certainly round the corner though, as a pre-recorded message from Barbara to the team states that “tonight is the night we beat Vandal Savage”. Even the best laid plans can go awry though, so it will be interesting to see what Batman has planned. What we do see is a new version of the Batsignal, a 2.0 incarnation that has to be seen to be believed. 3000 autonomous drones combining in the sky to form a final page that will linger long in the memory. This, combined with Batman’s dedication to being a constant presence on the street flies in the face of Savage’s proclamation of victory, undermining him all the way.
Strange Eventd
Also, we get a return to the narrative of Minotaur, remember him? This provides an interesting mid section to the issue. As Bruce, with “Alfred” ruminate on the financial paper trail left by the character. This is a villain that is materialistic in nature, treating Gotham as a financial asset to plunder rather than a territory to conquer. I do like that concept, it provides Bruce/Batman with an adversary that is more of a businessman than a hood with a gun and a Napoleon complex. When the situation with Savage plays itself out, I expect this villain to become the main stumbling block for our hero once again.
The return of Jorge Jimenez as artist on this title is a welcome sight. Ryan Sook has done a fantastic job in his own right. But Jimenez has become synonymous with the book in recent times, so to see him back on duty gives the reader a sense of familiarity and adds a seal of quality to the proceedings. I never tire of looking at his work, it has a vivacity to it that many artists do not. With a heightened sense of reality thrown in, it dovetails nicely with Fraction’s scripts.
Conclusion
Batman #10 feels like a bridging issue, as it establishes the playing field for the endgame in the Savage/Batman feud. We are ready for the final confrontation now, which hopefully will live up to its billing. The issue is extremely solid stuff, leaving me interested in what comes next.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment