“Home Invasions“
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artists: Matteo Scalera
Color Artist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Review by Max Byrne
Batman #14 is an action packed issue that continues the Bad Seeds crossover event. Matt Fraction spends the issue focusing on a twin pronged narrative, as our titular hero searches for Mr Freeze and the indomitable Verity Pennyworth multitasks in extreme fashion, proving that she is a more than worthy successor to her late Uncle Alfred.
Firstly, we see Verity providing tech support to Batman in the field. Nothing new there, but this particular scenario is compounded by several bent cops from GCPD, deciding to break into Pennyworth Manor and help themselves to the Wayne family treasures. How ironic that they use cheap Batman masks to conceal their true identities when they are blissfully unaware that it is his residence that they are attempt to ransack. Scalera does a lovely job with the artwork here too, as their headwear has a touch of the great Dick Sprang about it, which provides a nice mix of old and new.
Verity in Action in Batman #14
There is a great deal of amusement to be found from seeing Verity take them down without breaking a sweat, whilst simultaneously rationally directing Batman through the subterranean catacombs of the city. Part slapstick and part Enter The Dragon, Scalera takes great delight in showing how much pain is brought upon the would be thieves. Broken jaws and assorted bones are the order of the day and it wouldn’t be a huge leap to on day see the character in a Bat-Family costume of her own.
On the other side of the exchanges, we see Batman trying to check down Mr Freeze in order to conscript him in the fight against Poison Ivy’s monstrous plants. Due to their inability to survive in sub zero temperatures, who better to assist than old Victor? We are treated to an interesting riff on War Of The Roses, as Victor and his wife Nora have a mutually destructive relationship. A real “I want you dead, but only I can kill you” vibe. As with the incursion at the Manor, there is a darkly comic element to the proceedings, which is a key element to Fraction’s style.
Conclusion
Batman #14, whilst being somewhat brief, succeeds in bringing a new player into the game, maybe even two. As the Bad Seeds arc starts to gather pace, I am intrigued to see what the pay off is at the end of it. Will it be a return to the status quo in Gotham City that predated Vandal Savage’s residency, or will we go off into another tangent altogether? I hope whichever way it goes, the ends justifies the means.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment
