Review: BATMAN #28

*WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW*

Writer:  Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV
Penciller:  Dustin Nguyen
Inker:  Derek Fridolfs
Colorist:  John Kalisz
Letterer:  Sal Cipriano
Cover:  Dustin Nguyen
Publisher:  DC Comics

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s “Zero Year” has been re-telling Batman’s New 52 origin.  With such an epic tale building to a crescendo, readers are greeted with a detour in this month’s Batman #28.

To give Capullo extra time on art in future issues, Snyder teams with James Tynion IV and Dustin Nguyen to give a sneak peek at the futures of Batman and the soon-to-launch Batman Eternal.  This review will be filled with spoilers, so continue at your own risk.

Batman #28 interior art

What I Liked

This glimpse at the future of Gotham City is a different Gotham than the one in the present.  An 8pm curfew; police officers using brutal force; and some type of virus is infecting its residents.  It conjures flashbacks to how Gotham looked at the beginning of “Zero Year”.

I first became aware of Dustin Nguyen from his Batman: Li’l Gotham work.  Then he did some backup stories in Batman.  I really enjoyed the Li’l Gotham art.  I’m not sure if he did the coloring on that, but it was different than what I have seen in comics before.  It was more of a comic strip style, which fit the stylization of the heroes inside.  The backups were alright, but either he changed his style for it, or the inker/colorer did something to not make the artwork look appealing.  In Batman #28, Nguyen’s artwork is really a joy to the eyes.  I know Nguyen has helped out on the main Batman book, but he really could be the lead artist on his own comic.

Harper Row returns, and she has an expanded role in the Bat-universe.  There had been speculation on whether she would don the Robin or Oracle personas.  We get an answer in the form of Bluebird.  Someone’s been training Harper and it isn’t Batman.

Catwoman as the Kingpin of Gotham is intriguing.  In her solo title she has been spending time in the Gotham Underground.  There is obviously a power vacuum in the near future, and Selina Kyle steps up to fill that void.

Finally, many fans will be delighted with the final page reveal of Spoiler, Stephanie Brown.  She was already announced to make her New 52 debut in Batman Eternal.  Apparently she is at the center of whatever is happening in Gotham City.

What I Didn’t Like

One of the big themes in Batman #28 is Batman minus his sidekicks.  It looks like everyone has abandoned him.  Whether that is his choice or theirs remains to be seen.  Wasn’t this supposed to be the fallout from “Death of the Family”?  So the outcome of every Batman event is his supporting cast abandoning him.  This is growing old.

Batman #28 cover art

Summary

The women in Batman’s life played a large role in Batman #28.  Catwoman, Harper Row, and even the mysterious figure in the Batcave all have key roles in the future of Batman.  As good as “Zero Year” has been, its length lends itself more to a trade than single-issue reading.  This break in “Zero Year”, even for one issue, was a much-needed breather.  So many things to look forward to in the next year of Batman books.

Rating:  5 out of 5

This review is written in partnership with Pop Culture Network.  They can be found at their website http://www.popculturenetwork.com/

#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE