Batman #20
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artists: Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, and FCO
Cover Artists: Greg Capullo and FCO
Publisher: DC
The thing about Batman’s villains is that for the most part they all have a touch of humanity in them that makes them even slightly redeemable (except for Joker, that is). It’s why Batman’s no kill policy and Arkham can even exist. From Catwoman to Poison Ivy, Two-Face to Penguin, they all have their triggers and histories that turn them into villains, and in the end that usually becomes their villainous downfall. With this issue, Scott Snyder strips that away from Clayface. He literally is no longer the same man, because he’s lost all connection to his true self. In a way, it’s exciting because Clayface is now a man with nothing to lose and is almost unstoppable. However, he’s also now more raging monster than human, which is unfortunate. 4/5
Batman and Red Hood #20
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artists: Patrick Gleason, Cliff Richards, Mick Gray, Mark Irwin, and John Kalisz
Cover Artists: Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, and John Kalisz
Publisher: DC
This entire “Batman and …” series is fascinating because it feels like it is accomplishing something different than what it intended. The arc was advertised as a series of issues with Batman working out his stages of grief over the loss of his son, which is basically what each issue has been about. However, and more importantly in my opinion, these issues have also been about Batman reconnecting with his Bat-Family. After Joker’s intrusion on the entire Bat-Family’s lives, everyone went their separate ways. What Peter Tomasi is doing here, without explicitly mentioning it, is repairing the damage done by the Joker with the shared grief over the loss of Damian. In a way, it’s like Damian’s final gift to the Bat-family is to repair it. 4/5
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Arnab Pradhan
arnab@comicattack.net
