Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Jorge Jimenez
Colors: Tomeu Morey
Letters: Jorge Jimenez and Clayton Cowles
Wrap up: This issue is, quite simply, a series of vignettes, none longer than a few pages, with the exception of a major fight.
The mysterious Shadow Board meets to inform WayneTech’s Mr. Blake that due to the failures of him and The Ojo, her contract is terminated, and they are opening the bounty on Bruce Wayne to any assassin willing to collect. When Blake informs Ojo of this, she refuses to quit, and cuts him in half.
In another nefarious meeting, Penguin and other crime bosses under the thumb of the Minotaur decide to go “old-school” on their oppressor.
Bruce shows up at the Wayne Experimental Sciences Building to attempt to explain to Dr. Zeller how Damian ended up being under the tutelage of Batman as Robin. This is depicted in a beautiful two page spread that basically depicts Bruce’s history with Talia.
Next is two pages of Gordon and Bullock. First, we’re at a fellow cop’s funeral, killed on Savage’s order, where the widow berates them for doing nothing. Next, Gordon tells his partner that Savage has his daughter. Finally, Jack and Huston come to Bullock seeking protection from Savage because he knows they have the video of the cop planting evidence.
The longest sequence in this issue, eight pages, is the rematch of Batman vs. Ojo. Batman is observing a crime scene from a distance, with several dead bodies, obviously the work of Ojo. After sneaking up on Batman, Ojo eventually gets disarmed, but still manages to land a few good blows before Bats subdues her. Interrupted by the cops, both opponents make their escape.
The next morning, in our final vignette, as Bruce makes equipment repairs, and Damian reads The Great Gatsby, they break down both the previous night’s activities and the novel. They are interrupting by the doorbell, which sends them into a short panic because no one should be able to approach their home without alarms alerting them. Bruce decides to simply answer the door, and we meet Verity Pennyworth, Alfred’s great-niece, who introduces herself as “your new majordomo.”
Mundy: The Shadow Board has a definite Court of Owls flavor, but nowhere near as sophisticated. They’re definitely controlling things behind the scenes. A boardroom and lame masks, though? As Damian would say, “Tt.”
Foggy: I’m not sure if they really even have a Court of Owls flavor- they simply don’t possess the bite. Compared to what our good friend the Minotaur has going on, they seem like a PTO.
Mundy: Ojo killing Blake gives us insight into not only her character, but also hints at a possible “code of conduct,” or even some twisted sense of honor.
Foggy: I see Ojo as someone who sees herself as quite competent with something to prove. Being removed from the contract just wasn’t going to cut it……of course her sword cuts it and provided a wonderful panel:) I really like this villain. I wish, and maybe hope, we can get some more background and maybe even a mini drawn by Bilquis Evely. A guy can hope.
Mundy: The Penguin scene just reeks of pure, old-fashioned Oswald: always scheming, always making moves, always refusing to be someone’s b!%¢$.
Foggy: Exactly Mundy. And the thing I love beyond this is the additional layer that Fraction is adding. We have so many moving parts and motivations here. Multiple villains are moving on Batman, now the villains may be moving on each other, Savage is not only going after villains, but officers and our former commissioner is coming to his senses and preparing for action.
Mundy: Ra’s al Ghul is my favorite Bat rogue. Son of the Demon is one of my favorite Batman stories. To see it retold in a two page spread, with the art of Jorge Jimenéz, was super cool. I understand Dr. Z’s reaction, or non-reaction, to Bruce’s history lesson, but after not seeing the good doctor for a while, I definitely wanted more from her. I honestly can’t tell what exactly she’s wrestling with. Does she believe Bruce? Where is her mind on all of this?
Foggy: That two page spread is wonderful! Simply gorgeous. You are correct, Dr. Z’s reaction is a nothing burger. However, it says a lot about Bruce opening up.
Mundy: The Gordon and Bullock scenes are perfect. They make sense. Of course, these good cops feel guilty. Of course, Jim is freaked out about Barbara. Of course, Harvey will help our witnesses. My only note is that I want more. I would read a full Matt Fraction Gordon/Bullock series. Love these guys.
Foggy: You are correct. Wonderful scenes and pages. What I love here is the build up that has gotten to this point. We have seen Gordon on his beat. He continues to do his job. He doesn’t cower before Savage as we saw last issue. I think we are getting to the point where we see the old commissioner Gordon. Barbara is in jail. I think he has had enough. Hopefully, we will see him work behind the scenes with Batman. I’m here for it.
Mundy: The fight between Batman and the Ojo is beautifully rendered. Both characters are poetry in motion. Ojo seems genuinely shocked that Batman got the drop on her. Their brief verbal exchange shows that Batman does not, in fact, know everything, which is always an interesting situation. I’m glad Ojo escaped to return another time.
Foggy: You said it Mundy. I love the aesthetics of Ojo- Beautifully terrifying. Again, let’s get her a mini…..or maxi. Yeah, I’m pushy.
Mundy: The final scene between Bruce and Damian is another nice father-son moment. While not normal in a traditional sense, it’s fun to see them interact out of costume, and at home, and it’s a great set-up for the introduction of Verity Pennyworth. If you’ve been following the news on this book at all, you knew she was coming. I can’t wait to see how this plays out, and what it will mean for Bruce’s “talks” with “Alfred.”
Foggy: Yep, another wonderful scene. I love that Fraction plays with the growth of Damian. He read The Great Gatsby when he was six and “understood it,” yet now he finds that there is something “gossamer” about it. Of course, the minute he thinks he may have grown, he pulls back and explains why he’s wrong. It simply couldn’t be more. I have loved Damian from the beginning and I love how writers play with his growth. and as Mundy says, new character in town. Let’s see how that works with the vision of Alfred. Let’s go!
Mundy: 4 out of 5 Batarangs – Plenty is happening. I’m absolutely invested. While I do enjoy this “vignette” format, the short updates might read better in a trade paperback than they do in monthly installments. Each issue does leave me wanting more, which I guess is the point, right?
Foggy: 3.5 out of 5 Batarangs- I really enjoyed this issue, but this is the second vignette issue in a row. The pieces are in place, time to get cohesive and pull this story together. Still love it, but pacing is a slight issue here.
Next up- issue 12.
