Batman #39

Recently, we've seen a lot of robust statements from major villains in the Batman franchise, whether it's Bane's infamous, "When Gotham lies in ashes, you have my permission to die." from Christopher Nolan's excellent The Dark Knight Rises, or even from the new trailer of Batman: Arkham Knight, where Scarecrow announces to the city of Gotham: "When Gotham lies in ruin and I turn my gaze to the world beyond, the legend of the Batman will be worth nothing at all." These threats are a very real problem that Batman almost constantly deals with. In the Dark Knight Rises it feels dangerous, like Batman won't make it out, and I'm sure in Arkham Knight it will feel somewhat similar. However, those threats never feel personal. There is always an ulterior motive besides just destroying Batman. This isn't the case in issue 39 of Snyder and Capullo's Batman run.

It's a complete reverse. Gotham being turned into the Joker's playground is really only used to jab at Batman to show how much of a failure he currently is, to show how much he could have become. Everything about this epic struggle is personal. Like Snyder has said in all of his interviews: "The Joker tried to show Batman love, and now he's showing him hate."

Many, many readers complained after Death of the Family that a metaphocial death/loss was not enough. They felt jaded and deceived by the intensity of the story leading up to the finale. I absolutely loved DotF, but for those who felt deceived fear not, Snyder and Capullo are granting your wishes. This issue brings some bloodshed. It sets a tone that, yes, this could very well be the end of Batman as we know it.

While the story is flush with excellent twists and turns, brilliantly paced and plotted to get the most out of the mystery and involving as many villains as Snyder could pack in, time and time again the art team delievers hand over fist delivering some of the most beautiful pages in a comic book currently out on stands. Capullo is creating such a disturbing take on the Joker that feels entirely real despite the mythic propotions being attributed to the character. Miki and Plascencia then bring the world to life adding darkness and vibrancy to Gotham making it feel frustratingly alive.
 

The stakes have never been higher, and while that's been said before, I honestly believe it this time. Batman has always been two steps ahead, but with his back against the wall there might not be any more steps left to take.