Well, I did say it would be a while until I posted again. But better late than never, right?
So, now the story has been fully developed and the Night of the Owls event has finally kicked off (big time!), now would be a good time to give my thoughts on the issues leading up to it.
Like I said in my previous post, Batman's in pretty good hands with Scott Snyder, his previous runs with Bats have been nothing short of superb. Black Mirror and The Gates of Gotham will go on to be regarded as classic pieces of story telling in the modern history of the character.
I won't spoil any of the story for you here, I strongly encourage you get involved with this Snyder Batman run, it's going to be a hell of a ride, especially as how he's with the title until about issue #30.
Basically, what Snyder had achieved here is to make Batman appear vulnerable, as well as Bruce. Wayne has discovered that since the 1800's a group called the Court of Owls has been manipulating Gotham, waiting for the right moment to strike and take control of the city. They've already captured Batman once, driven him half insane and even worse, scared him.
This group has now started the assault on Gotham, in awe inspiring fashion. They want to wipe anyone who might stand in their way off the map, it seems they have the means with which to do so as well.
The scale of what faces the Bat family here is bigger than pretty much anything that's gone before, maybe Cataclysm aside. Bruce/Batman has lost control of his city and not only is every figure of importance in the city as risk of being killed by the Court's assassins, called the Talons, every person who he's trained to help with his fight and he himself could face the end of their mission. The palpable sense of danger built up in this book so far is wonderfully realised, you really feel that Batman is fearing for his city and there's a sense of claustrophobia that there as a result. To say that you cannot see a way for this to end well is an understatement, this really does feel that desperate.
We all know Batman and the Bat family will find a way, but how it'll be done is right now a long way from being obvious!
Alongside Snyder's well crafted story, the suspense and feeling around this booked is rounded off and brought home with gorgeous artwork from Greg Capullo. His version of Bruce has shown more fear and emotion than most before, at times he has looked terrified and helpless. Not something you see often, if at all, when it comes to Batman, especially in recent times. Not even when revelations on the scale of Jason Todd's return has he been drawn with such detail and emotion.
Batman has been my favourite comic book for years, but you always know and feel he'll win and defeat his foe at the end of the story. This story is different, you really feel that Batman has his back to the wall and there's even a sense of panic and helplessness about him.
I can't recommend this book enough, events are ten a penny in comic books these days, but this one feels different. This could well end with Batman and Gotham City coming out permanently changed, in a way that's not good for Bats.
If you read comics, check this out. You won't be let down.
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