BATMAN #52 Review
Story By: James Tynion IV
Art By: Riley Rossmo and Brian Level
Colors By: Ivan Plascencia and Jordan Boyd
Letters By: Steve Wands
Cover By: Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, FCO Plascencia, Rafael Albuquerque
Publisher: DC Comics
Batman under Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo in the New 52 has been one of DC Comics most successful titles. The creative team has added new toys (Court of Owls, Commissioner Jim Gordon as Batman) to the Batman mythos.
As they each prepare for their next projects (Snyder on All-Star Batman, Capullo on a Mark Millar creator-owned series), Batman #52 closes out its New 52 era without the pair.
Never fear faithful readers. Onboard for a one-and-done story is someone who is very familiar with the Dark Knight — James Tynion IV. He has written Batman on numerous occasions, and is one of the puppet masters behind the weekly series Batman Eternal and Batman and Robin Eternal. Tynion will also chart Batman’s ongoing adventures in the Rebirth series Detective Comics.
Joining Tynion on #52 is Riley Rossmo, formerly of Constantine: The Hellblazer. I first became aware of Rossmo’s work on the Image Comics book Rasputin. His line work has subtle quirks that make his comics stand out from the crowd. His Batman has a lean-mean look to him.
The story jumps from the past to the present, as we first see a young Bruce Wayne not long after the murder of his parents. The story tying the past and the present together is Bruce learning to cope with that loss. With the help of Alfred and Leslie Thompkins, the real story begins.
Fans of the television show Gotham will appreciate a look-back at Bruce Wayne as a kid. But we don’t stay with young Bruce long, as we get sneak peeks of Bruce during his decade-long journey of training to become Batman. Some of the training sessions are highlighted with a coping phrase from a book Leslie Thompkins gives Bruce as a kid. It gives the reader a sense that they’re learning right along with Bruce — Disappear, Feel Nothing, Let Go of Everything, Make Them Feel What I Feel.
The last lesson comes from Alfred himself. I won’t spoil that one, but its more personal and from the heart.
I’m not sure if the villain Crypsis was created for this issue or a member of Batman’s rogue gallery. He served a fine purpose of stealing from Bruce’s secret account. This theft was the spark that sent the reader into Batman’s past.
Timdogg
#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE
