Batman #4 Review

Now this is what I like to see! Batman taking on opponents much stronger than he is, and at least giving them pause!

What is Batman’s super-power? His intelligence, of course! He’s going to need all of that in this story moving forward!

BATMAN #4
Writer: Tom King
Pencils: David Finch
Inks: Sandra Hope, Matt Banning
Colors: John Workman
Published by: DC Comics
Cover price: $2.99

Previously in BATMAN: “I Am Gotham,” part four. When Gotham City falls prey to true evil, will Batman be abandoned by the new heroes Gotham and Gotham Girl? The Dark Knight must decide who to entrust with the safety of his beloved city if he hopes for any of its citizens to survive.

I UNDERSTAND IT BETTER NOW

Issue #1 of this new Batman perplexed me, to be honest. Batman actually being caught off-guard on that plane, really? I mean, this is the guy who figured out how to take on the rest of the Justice League, for goodness sake! And a plane going down meant Batman was going to die? I didn’t buy that!

Now we get to issue #4, and it makes more sense. Batman is talking with Gotham, comparing himself to the guy with powers. One of the points he makes is that Gotham was able to pick up the plane while the Dark Knight was going down with it. I understand that. I still think Batman should have had some plan to handle the plane, but I see where this fits in the story now.

The writing is fast-paced and cohesive, and Batman’s back to being the guy who can see all the angles. That’s part of the Dark Knight’s charm, after all! When things start to go awry for Gotham, he reasons with him, which is a good thing. Can he figure out a way to resolve this situation next issue, in two weeks? He sure can!

I truly feel sorry for Gotham Girl, who’s not exactly holding up the best either. Her interaction with Alfred and Duke Thomas, Batman’s new partner, was really touching. Will it end up being her versus Gotham? Looks like it, but that has been set up well emotionally, at least.

This issue arrive in stores just before the Suicide Squad movie hit the theaters, and there’s a cool interaction with Amanda Waller and Batman. It doesn’t matter where they meet, those two will never get along. Well done!

IDEAL ART FOR THIS STORY

David Finch — does anything else need to be said? Mr. Finch can illustrate with the best of them, including fight sequences to emotional outbreaks. Just terrific!

I also loved the use of color, which has been consistently great since the first page of issue one. It’s ideal for a Batman tale.

BOTTOM LINE: Gotham Falls, Batman Rises

As I said, the first issue flummoxed me some, but Batman is hitting its stride, falling plane aside! The blend of art and script is really, really strong, and I look forward to this title arriving every two weeks!

Will it compete with All-Star Batman? Probably not, but it’ll be well worth my hard earned shekels each time it hits the stands!

[taq_review]

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