Batman #24

Writer Scott Snyder Artist Greg Capullo

 

Introduction

 

Batman has obviously been building towards something with Zero Year. However, thus far the first few issues have been fairly quiet. #23 finally drove towards a massive story point, that ushered in the abstract incredibly well. The cave sequence illustrated to readers that the scope of this arc can widen in an impossible manner. The moment also gave the dour sense of Batman in general such an optimistic twist. The Wayne parents seemed to strictly guide Bruce towards a completely unhealthy direction by being a masked vigilante, yet still the glimpse seemed completely organic. That part of the series gave the comic a completely new sense of momentum that needs to be delivered on here properly for this to make sense. Superman Unchained by the same writer Scott Snyder has been been bogged down by dull characterization and pacing that does not work in the context of comic books. This seminal title by the author is at risk of having some of the exact same problems, if the writing is not extremely well thought out ahead of time. It is frightening that I am in a position to be concerned about the creative output of the amazing creative team designated on this comic, but not all stories can be exceptional.

 

Writing

 

Batman #24 has a steep seven dollar price point that should frighten readers to their core. This is still the issue that fans have been waiting for including everything, and the purple gloves. The newly designed suit showed off in this issue is quite stirring, along with being a shockingly well designed ode to everything this issue says about Batman. If your confidence in the main Bat title and the writing of Snyder has been challenged, this is absolutely the one to build your faith back in the series. The last page is worth the price of admission alone, featuring a revised origin for a classic character. There are so many fun little strokes of brilliance here, such as the Bat Cave beginning to assemble in such a grand manner. Sifting through the installment again, I am also reminded of the fact that is going to read like an absolute fever dream collected. If the remaining issues can continue to blow the doors of the arc open, this could be fascinating variation on Year One. Good luck finding anything in the New 52 to reach this level of quality at the moment.

 

Art

 

Greg Capullo draws a shocking 44 page script in this issue. However, the fact that DC is charging $6.99 for 57 pages still leaves a sickly taste in my mouth. The artist must have really taken advantage of Villain’s Month, because these are some striking visuals. They show the growth I have been waiting for in the dull art of the past issues in the story arc. When the action hits on the first couple pages of the story, readers will be instantly be enticed by the exceptional pencils in which the action takes place. Fight scenes are tricky to make interesting in the space of comic books. Static images can often come off as looking uninspired or dull. No scene falls prey to that sort of dull trope in this installment of the series. Dave McCaig really plays with the interesting color palette here to add purple to the story which would not normally embrace such an interesting shade. From an art perspective, this is also the showcase readers have been waiting for from the entire team since Zero Year started.

 

Conclusion

Batman #24 is a masterclass in storytelling. It is a fascinating alternate take on Year One, and cannot be missed by anyone reading comics this week. In Snyder and Capullo we trust.