Batman #8 Review

By MrComicBook on Apr 19, 2012 with Comments 0

The first crossover event of the new DC starts off with a bang. Scott Snyder‘s Batman has been one of the best titles over at DC, and #8 is a continuation of that.

For the title being Batman, Bruce Wayne spends a good amount of time outside of the Batsuit. It works to show how prepared Bruce is in any situation. If you attack Batman or Bruce, you’re going to get the same rough fight. After the last few issues, Snyder writes Bruce as a person who is clearly defeated, but not down. It’s interesting to see Batman this way, as we almost never get to seem this broken and beaten. The Talons become even more creepy and threatening, speaking in almost unison. It gives them a hive mind style that is a classic horror movie plot line for a reason. It’s horrific given the enemy. Batman #8 acts as a prelude to the official Night of the Owls event, and the issue does feel like a prelude to a degree. As stated before, this issue focuses on Bruce, with him not donning a Batsuit until the end of the issue. We see how Bruce has planned his attack against the Court of Owls, with Aflred being a great asset in the right circumstance. When the ending hits, no reader can’t have a big grin on their face, as you want to see Batman finally fight back against this vicious enemy. The shining moment of the issue though, is only two or three panels long. Having Bruce hate light, even though there is plenty of reasons for him too, is a small thing that adds to the depth of Batman. It shows how Bruce is the mask and Batman is the real person.

The backup acts as the fuse to the event, with Alfred spreading the word to all of the Bat family. It’s a great start up, but does raise a question or two. Why is Alfred contacting Jason Todd? He is a killer. That doesn’t fit well with Batman. Maybe in a time of need, he’ll be more likely to bring someone like that into the fold. But it seems more of a reason to bring another book into the event, thus making more money. Since this reviewer doesn’t read Red Hood and the Outlaws, it will be hard to tell if his inclusion is a good idea. Rafael Albuquerque‘s art suits the dark atmosphere well. He’d be a great Batman artist if Greg Capullo ever left the book. Alfred is clearly saddened by what is going on, but trying as hard as he can to keep himself composed to help Bruce. Batman, what a show off book. It has two great artists and both are on the top of their game. Batman #8 is worth the $3.99, or even more.

Greg Capullo keeps delivering phenomenal issue after phenomenal issue. Capullo gives Bruce the stature of a real fighter, and one that has fifteen plans if one of his plans doesn’t go through. Even when panels start to zoom out to accommodate for all the acton, characters are expressive, with readers being able to read what the characters are thinking and feeling in each situation. Alfred also has the same look of terror while trying to keep himself composed. Whether Albuquerque and Capullo talked about this beforehand will remain a mystery, but Alfred has the same look by both artists. It’s simply stunning and something that we don’t see very often in comics anymore. Every artists does everything their own way and it sometimes doesn’t go with how other pencilers pencil them. Like Psylock and how she is Asian. It’s astonishing how detailed each panel is, with one of the Talon’s entrance through a wood door being the highlight. Tons of tiny splinters scatter in all directions. How does Capullo get this done on time?

Batman #8 gets 5/5.

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MrComicBook

Senior Writer, Entertainment Reviewer & Editor at ComicBookTherapy

Kevin Finnigan is long time comic fan. He studied American History in college, wanting to become a teacher. As you can see, it didn't work out. He reads books by all the big publishers, and dabbles in indie publishers as well.