Review: Batman #95
After the prelim and part set up of James Tynion IV’s first Batman arc, after the recent Joker 80th Anniversary “special” and before the Three Jokers mini series, we have yet another Joker story. This is the opening salvo of the Joker War that is set to crossover through the Bat-books, cause the cancellation of Batgirl and the regaining memory of Nightwing as well as changing the Batman status quo forever…….again!
Following directly on from last issue, the Wayne fortune lies in the hands of the Joker and his new hench-girl, Punchline. The news of the fall of Wayne is making big news. Without Cat and without Lucius, Batman has to rely on the memory of Alfred to help steer him through the night. Used to tackling things head on, Batman is still on the back foot, relying on his usual methods bears a bitter fruit. With all that said, Batman has been down and almost out before, but could this time actually be the end of the Dark Knight?
This is the big story; the big “I am”; the whole shebang, that is until the next big Joker story which, as we know is just around the corner. Tynion has been killing it on this book. Where Snyder sets the table and doesn’t bring the meal, King shows the menu and talks about bringing the food, Tynion sets the table, brings the food and leaves room for a dessert that you didn’t even know you wanted! Bruce Wayne being a pauper to his arguably “greatest” enemy has the potential to be a great read. It’s a Joker story, so there has to be a Punchline (and I don’t mean the new hot Harley replacement). It will be interesting to see where that lands. It’s also good seeing Alfred again. His inclusion here goes to show exactly what Bruce has been missing.
The art is supplied by Jorge Jimenez who curbs some of his more cartoony elements to give a more fuller, more serious art style than I expected, given his work on the Justice League book. There are layers of details to enjoy throughout the book. Jimenez goes for a more statuesque approach which works for the frames of all concerned. Batman is all muscles, Joker is sleight and Punchline is curvaceous. It is very much the complete work.  Tomeu Morey provides the colors, continuing the scheme from the last few issues, which, as I stated previously, gives the book a more mature feel than a typical superhero book. Letters are provided by the excellent Clayton Cowles, who gets to mix up fonts as well as ensuring that the, sometimes, heavy amount of wordage doesn’t detract from the art and story-telling.
Given my distaste of the over use of the Joker, this book and it’s preceding set-up arc have been a massive improvement on King’s run and is eminently more enjoyable.
Writing – 5 Stars
Art 5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars
Overall – 5 Stars
Written by; James Tynion IV
Art by; Jorge Jimenez
Colors by; Tomeu Morey
Letters by; Clayton Cowles
Published by; DC Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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