Batman #700
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Grant Morrison
Art: Tony Daniel, Andy Kubert, Frank Quitely, David Finch, & Richard Friend
Cover: David Finch
Variant Cover: Mike Mignola
Pages: 56
Price: US $4.99
Release Date: June 9, 2010
***CAUTION: This Review Contains Spoilers!***
It’s here, Comic Attackers! The party has begun! Batman #700! Over the past two Sundays, Andrew Hurst has been setting the table with the appetizers for this party with Batman: Recapping the Last 100 Issues Part 1 and Part 2. Now let us turn our attention to the guest of honor!
“Time and the Batman”
The story covers a crime that is linked throughout the decades and generations of the mantle; Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Damian Wayne, and beyond. Through time travel, these caped crusaders (don’t ever call them that) have been plagued with the same mystery centered around the Joker’s Jokebook.
To summarize this story any further would give away too much of this must-read celebratory issue. The last four panels of this story capture the sense of awe and wonder that live in the hearts of every Batman fan. Any true comic book fan that doesn’t pick this issue up should really re-evaluate their priorities. I mean, come on! It’s the freakin’ Batman!
Following the story, the readers are treated to a beautiful eight page Batman Art Gallery with art by Tim Sale, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Phillip Tan, just to name a few. Following that, is a very detailed four page look at the different levels of the Batcave.
In my opinion, Damian Wayne’s portion of the story as Batman would have to be the highlight of this issue. Ever since we were introduced to Damian as Batman in Batman #666, I’ve been intrigued. I’m really curious about whatever it was that lead to the hatred between Damian and Barbara Gordon. What’s even more interesting than the Damian part is the fact that this issue goes even further into the future of the Batman legacy and touches on a future that really hasn’t received any attention in the comic book universe until just recently.
This issue really surprised me. With the star-studded cast of artists, I figured it to be three different short stories. The fact that Grant Morrison told one story spanning the generations, was truly amazing. I was also glad to see that it wasn’t injected with any of the psychobabble that is currently being pumped into Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne. This picky Batman fan was definitely satisfied.
The party has started. Batman #700 is here. Here’s to 700 more issues!
Aron White
aron@comicattack.net
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Well said Aron.
I was waiting to read your review until I had the chance to read #700 myself- and you’re right, it was fantastic!!
Damian Batman intrigued me the most too, and I can’t wait to read more about him in the years and issues to come!
This issue was sooo awesome! And such a treat for the die-hard Batman fans! I LOVED every page! Great review Aron!
I too waited till I read #700 to read your review. And I thought it was great stuff as well.
Damian’s story was interesting, but I’m always a tad weary about stories/comics set in the future because I feel that they can handicap stories set in the present.
I loved the additional artwork at the back of the book. It was just a great gallery of some awesome artists.
liked the issue as well and Arnab I kind of agree with you about story lines set in the future especially that far in advanced because some are rarely adhered to and that sucks especially when the set up is great.
I’m also excited to see the Batman Beyond universe getting a push now and with the story in this issue and the current Superman/Batman annual and the upcoming series I’m hoping it’s a good one.
Thank, you guys! Arnab does make an interesting point about the future and Speech takes it further. The Damian Batman does have a great set up. I think I would be happy with a Damian Batman series right now and it could be in its own little pocket universe so nothing that comes later on down the line in Batman would be effected if that’s not how the writers want to take the book. I think that would be really cool!
And on that point…are all the DC books really going to end up being exactly the way things happened in all that DC One Million stuff that came out back in the day?
I guess by the time it’s time for the DC One Million books to come out we’ll all be dead and they can do whatever they want lol
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