Batman #94 Review
Writer – James Tynion IV
Art – Guilem March & Rafael Albuquerque
Colors – David Baron
Letters – Clayton Cowles
Publisher – DC Comics
After a wild last issue, Batman returns with the finale of the “Their Dark Designs” story which started with Tynion’s first issue of Batman back in issue #86. Since then we have seen some highs and lows and the introduction of a few new characters including the new it girl, Punchline. I know fans across the globe are fired up for the upcoming Joker War and eager to get through this issue but I always enjoy issues that lead up to a big event as they seem to cover a decent amount of ground as well as pave the way for the upcoming story line. Tynion has been setting all of this up since the beginning and the pay off I just getting started.
Batman #94 is not as fast paced and exciting as the last issue but instead focuses more on filling in some back story and setting up the events that lead us into Joker War. Tynion does a fantastic job in this issue of peeling back the cape and cowl a bit and showing us a bit more of the human side of Batman as he takes us back in time to see a young Bruce Wayne hell bent on learning th ways of a becoming a great detective. When we are brought back to current events, Tynion continues to shine a light on the deeper emotions that really drive Bruce on his mission as Batman as Bruce has some internal dialogues where he is talking to Alfred about his true designs for Gotham and how much Alfred believed Bruce could become something more then he has. This issue toes up all the events that started in the last issue and ultimately sets up the characters and events for the upcoming beginning of Joker War. Joker ultimately has stripped everything and everyone Bruce has by his side and has taken advantage of having control over all of these things. Although it seems like Bruce has been reduced to almost nothing, Tynion gives us that magic that we all love in Batman and has the character find his own inner strength. The story ends with a final internal dialogue from Batman that not only excites us as readers but gives us that hell yeah moment that we have all been waiting for as a crash of lightning explodes behind the Dark Knight. Overall this is some of the most emotional and encouraging writing Tynion has given us is a more story filled issue and really does an excellent job sending off this finale and paving the way for what’s set to be one of the biggest story Arcs in a long time for the main Batman run.
The art of this issue is once again split up between Guilem March and Rafael Albuquerque and makes for a fantastic overall visual aesthetic. We get that darker, grittier feel that we’ve come to know from March as well as a very well detailed and fluid overall tone. Even though there are some noticeable differences in the work of the two artists, they do a great job of making it feel as one overall continuous style. Sometimes when you have two artists on a book or can look like you are reading two different books but the art team here execute one beautiful overall book. The colors of this issue are a bit different from previous issues as David Baron goes solo on this issue without the addition of Tomeu Morey. Even though it appears a bit lighter with more vivid colors, Baron still does a fantastic job selling the emotions of the story and keeping it witching the same overall feel as previous issues. Baron also does an incredible job with his detailing of the work giving us deep shadows and dark and gorgeous lighting and effects. There is also a very noticeable amount of detail seen in the colors and it really has an incredible realistic feel to it making the art stand out just that much more. Clayton Cowles also brings his all as he always does making the lettering all very clean and crisp and very easily read. Overall just another incredible visual from a stellar art team and with an issue as deep as this, it was much needed and executed perfectly.
I really don’t think this creative team could have done a better job on this finale issue checking all the boxes and setting us up for what is sure to be one of the most incredible story arcs in Batman history. Tynion has done a remarkable job with spanning so much story and bringing it all together in the end to set up an emotional and exciting end as well as a beginning to the next chapter of his story and I know I couldn’t be anymore excited to see what the ultimate payoff is going to be. Batman #94 is available today so head over to your local comic shop or you can purchase it via digital download using your preferred digital retailer. This is the issue we have been waiting for the set up Joker War and it was well worth the wait! Make sure you guys let me know what you thought of the issue or what you are most looking forward to in Joker War by leaving your comments in the comment section below!
-Wes Greer
Art – Guilem March & Rafael Albuquerque
Colors – David Baron
Letters – Clayton Cowles
Publisher – DC Comics
After a wild last issue, Batman returns with the finale of the “Their Dark Designs” story which started with Tynion’s first issue of Batman back in issue #86. Since then we have seen some highs and lows and the introduction of a few new characters including the new it girl, Punchline. I know fans across the globe are fired up for the upcoming Joker War and eager to get through this issue but I always enjoy issues that lead up to a big event as they seem to cover a decent amount of ground as well as pave the way for the upcoming story line. Tynion has been setting all of this up since the beginning and the pay off I just getting started.
Batman #94 is not as fast paced and exciting as the last issue but instead focuses more on filling in some back story and setting up the events that lead us into Joker War. Tynion does a fantastic job in this issue of peeling back the cape and cowl a bit and showing us a bit more of the human side of Batman as he takes us back in time to see a young Bruce Wayne hell bent on learning th ways of a becoming a great detective. When we are brought back to current events, Tynion continues to shine a light on the deeper emotions that really drive Bruce on his mission as Batman as Bruce has some internal dialogues where he is talking to Alfred about his true designs for Gotham and how much Alfred believed Bruce could become something more then he has. This issue toes up all the events that started in the last issue and ultimately sets up the characters and events for the upcoming beginning of Joker War. Joker ultimately has stripped everything and everyone Bruce has by his side and has taken advantage of having control over all of these things. Although it seems like Bruce has been reduced to almost nothing, Tynion gives us that magic that we all love in Batman and has the character find his own inner strength. The story ends with a final internal dialogue from Batman that not only excites us as readers but gives us that hell yeah moment that we have all been waiting for as a crash of lightning explodes behind the Dark Knight. Overall this is some of the most emotional and encouraging writing Tynion has given us is a more story filled issue and really does an excellent job sending off this finale and paving the way for what’s set to be one of the biggest story Arcs in a long time for the main Batman run.
The art of this issue is once again split up between Guilem March and Rafael Albuquerque and makes for a fantastic overall visual aesthetic. We get that darker, grittier feel that we’ve come to know from March as well as a very well detailed and fluid overall tone. Even though there are some noticeable differences in the work of the two artists, they do a great job of making it feel as one overall continuous style. Sometimes when you have two artists on a book or can look like you are reading two different books but the art team here execute one beautiful overall book. The colors of this issue are a bit different from previous issues as David Baron goes solo on this issue without the addition of Tomeu Morey. Even though it appears a bit lighter with more vivid colors, Baron still does a fantastic job selling the emotions of the story and keeping it witching the same overall feel as previous issues. Baron also does an incredible job with his detailing of the work giving us deep shadows and dark and gorgeous lighting and effects. There is also a very noticeable amount of detail seen in the colors and it really has an incredible realistic feel to it making the art stand out just that much more. Clayton Cowles also brings his all as he always does making the lettering all very clean and crisp and very easily read. Overall just another incredible visual from a stellar art team and with an issue as deep as this, it was much needed and executed perfectly.
I really don’t think this creative team could have done a better job on this finale issue checking all the boxes and setting us up for what is sure to be one of the most incredible story arcs in Batman history. Tynion has done a remarkable job with spanning so much story and bringing it all together in the end to set up an emotional and exciting end as well as a beginning to the next chapter of his story and I know I couldn’t be anymore excited to see what the ultimate payoff is going to be. Batman #94 is available today so head over to your local comic shop or you can purchase it via digital download using your preferred digital retailer. This is the issue we have been waiting for the set up Joker War and it was well worth the wait! Make sure you guys let me know what you thought of the issue or what you are most looking forward to in Joker War by leaving your comments in the comment section below!
-Wes Greer
A Look Inside
