Batman #34
Writer: Scott Snyder and Gerry Duggan
Artists: Mateo Scalera and Lee Loughridge
Cover Artists: Ryan Sook
Publisher: DC Comics
After over a year in the past, telling the story of Batman’s origin, the series propels into the future past the events of the ongoing weekly series, Batman Eternal. In stark contrast to the story that just ended, this issue has Batman facing down a criminal who doesn’t care for the theatrics most of Gotham’s criminals crave. Rather, his ideal crime is one that is committed with absolutely no recognition of any sort. Overall this issue was absolutely terrific. Gerry Duggan and Scott Snyder really did a great job of taking an otherwise bland plot and spicing it up. There’s a part right at the end that was absolutely beautiful to read, as it highlighted the fact that unlike the Gotham PD, Batman doesn’t go home and unwind, he chooses this life and as such is burdened by it. Mateo Scalera, with Lee Loughridge, did a brilliant job illustrating the dark and gritty side to Gotham. 4.5/5
Batman Eternal #19
Writer: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Ray Fawkes, John Layman, and Tim Seeley
Artists: Emanuel Simeoni and Blond
Cover Artists: Alex Garner
Publisher: DC Comics
After a couple of issues where the story struggled, Batman Eternal is back on track with this issue. In similar fashion, to a Game of Thrones episode, this issue jumps around following the lives of multiple characters, including following Barbara, with Red Hood and Batwoman, to Batman and Killer Croc, to Commisioner Gordon in prison. Overall, the pacing and direction of the issue is absolutely wonderful. Even with the large cast, the book never feels overwhelmed or burdened by the cast, instead the many smaller stories are starting to feel closer and closer to one another as the different plot threads are slowly coming together. The art for the issue is good enough to get the job done. There are certain parts of the issue that look fantastic while others looked a tad rushed. 4/5
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Arnab Pradhan
arnab@comicattack.net
