Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Jorge Jimenez
Colors: Tomeu Morey
Letters: Clayton Cowles and Jorge Jimenez
Batman 10- Money and Blood
The plot: We begin this issue with a Bat kids group text thread. Damian is informing Stephanie and Duke about the destruction of Wayne Manor, repeating the mantra “Trust the plan.” Cut to a Savage press conference, where he’s touting his successful raids, then a walk-and-talk scene leading to my favorite moment of the issue, a tense, wordless meeting of the eyes between Savage and Jim Gordon.
The Minotaur returns, unmasked, to deliver a gift of absolution to a powerful Japanese businessman he had wronged, while simultaneously demonstrating his power and reach by killing a major Batman rogue.
We then see some Wayne Enterprises boardroom drama concerning the redistribution of the company’s titanographene in the wake of Dr. Zeller shuttering her project. This leads directly into Bruce discussing some detective work with “Alfred,” before heading out to let “Gotham City know I’m not going anywhere” while Savage is claiming a win.
Several rapid fire pages follow of Batman busting bad guys, and saving people, interspersed with Savage on various news channels spinning and inflating the facts in his own favor. Feels familiar, somehow. This sequence culminates in yet another tense, wordless meeting, this time across rooftops, between Batman and Catwoman. I hope this leads somewhere later.
We end strong with a blackout, and the Bat Kids phones notifying them of a pre-recorded video from Barbara, reiterating yet again that they need to “Trust the plan.” The last few pages show several pods opening across Gotham, releasing thousands of mini drones, coming together in the sky to create the Bat-Signal 2.0.
Mundy: This is another master class by Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenéz in comic book storytelling. They continue to further the overarching story. They deliver unexpected reveals along the way. They sow seeds of ideas to be reaped in the future.
Foggy: There is an element to this issue that feels like a movie trailer. There aren’t any real stakes for our hero here. It seems simply to exist to put pieces in place. We move from one piece of the overall story to the next showing where everyone is at this point. And that isn’t to say that the issue isn’t good; far from it. This issue shows the mastery with which Fraction can juggle multiple story lines, move them along steadily, while letting others percolate in the background ready to surface at any time.
Mundy: Vandal Savage’s singular obsession with achieving revenge on Batman is framing what may be the most consistent streak of good, solid main line Bat lore in recent years, and that’s saying a lot, because it’s been pretty decent for a while now. The one thing I wish would be explained sooner rather than later is the Alfred of it all. I just want to know what the hell is actually happening already!
Foggy: I loved watching Savage bragging about putting an end to Batman, laughing about his success. All the while, we are in on the secret. Batman and Barbara have the plan to take him down. It feels like it’s steamrolling to the finish with Savage, but something tells me that there will be many more bumps along the way. Perhaps, other, more dangerous folks to take control of Gotham. Can’t wait to find out. As for Alfred, I’m just rolling with him as Bruce’s conscience. He is the lingering voice from previous lessons taught.
Mundy: It was great to see Minotaur back in the picture. We’ve now seen his face, but we still don’t know who, or why, he is. What does the future hold for Dr. Zeller and her star patient? When will the inevitable Savage/Gordon confrontation happen? What’s the deal with Selina? Fraction just keeps pulling the threads, but is he tightening the story, or will it all unravel at some point? I’ll be here to find out!
Foggy: I was thrilled to see the Minotaur. Without his mask, or killing multiple people indiscriminately, he was somehow more dangerous here. He walked into the enemy’s home. He cooly expressed that they were family, regardless of what he had done. He showed that he could kill anyone with ease. He was most certainly in control. Can’t wait to see how he deals with Batman. I was a little confused about the addition of Selina here. I suppose we will find out. Seemed odd though. Aaaaaand, I thought the throw away line by Savage about Jim being a brave man spoke a lot of Jim still being more than a beat cop.
Mundy: 4.25/5 Batarangs – As I stated previously, this is solid storytelling, plain and simple. Fraction is giving me everything I want in an ongoing Batman saga, and continuously leaves me wanting more. Jimenéz is back after a few issues away, and he seems to be improving with every issue.
Foggy: 4/5 Batarangs- I really enjoyed this issue, but felt a little too much like vignettes. I think as part of a collection this will read better. I love the teasing and building, but I am ready to see some payoff. I do really enjoy that the entire Bat family is involved. Too many great characters not to use them.
Next time- Batman issue 11.
