Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Jorge Jimenez
Colors: Tomeu Morey
Letters: Clayton Cowles with Jorge Jimenez
Wrap up: Issue 12 picks up where issue 11 left off with the introduction of Verity Pennyworth. “Alfred” explains to Bruce that Verity is his last gift to him. She is to take over in his role. The issue shows Bruce and Damian warming up to the idea as we find out that she is a very capable Alfred stand in.
From there, this issue kicks off another arc, or at least another element to the criminal underworld of Gotham. The pages jump from assassination to assassination as various assassins converge on Gotham to carry out their crimes. Verity manages to get two in the same place at the same time so that Batman can apprehend them. Batman currently has them under wraps for questioning. It is clear that the killings have been coordinated and it points to the Minotaur. He returns this issue to threaten Tozuki-San who may have answers to the recent killings in Gotham. The Minotaur is then warned of a strange noise in his car. The “Minotaur” drives off in his car as it explodes.
Finally, the Joker makes a return. He has a brief conversation with an unidentified voice. The person assures the Joker he is going nowhere. The Joker seems pleased and lets him know that he will have to tell Dr. Zeller.
Foggy: This is another solid issue, even if it still feels like setup. Fraction shines with the beats, but it still feels like we are treading water. Verity proves to be a worthy replacement for Alfred. She wins over Damian immediately and then proves her worth by helping Batman apprehend two assassins. The odd thing, though, is that we get part of her backstory and reason for being there from “Alfred.” Up until this point, I saw Alfred as part of Bruce’s psyche. The conversations that Bruce had with Alfred could all be linked back to potential advice or lessons that Alfred had taught him in the past. This time, he tells Bruce about what he wrote prior to his death, something that Bruce hadn’t read. A little strange- make it make sense.
Mundy: I am officially tired of “ghost Alfred,” or “figment of Bruce’s imagination Alfred,” or “Bruce is losing it Alfred,” or whatever the hell he is. We’re a year in. Let the readers in on it, already!
I, like Bruce and Damian, am very happy Verity Pennyworth is here. If we can’t have Alfred, she’ll do just fine. She has seamlessly folded into the role she has apparently been training for her entire life. The “You can stay” moment was adorable! This kind of ally to the Bat Family has been missed, and her initiative is duly noted.
Foggy: I was glad to see The Minotaur return. He seems to have control of the criminal element in Gotham, but someone is murdering folks in the city and he wants to know who. Fraction adds another layer to the Minotaur as he seemingly has someone in his mask murdered. Are there multiple Minotaurs? Is this misdirection? Expendable dupe? My only complaint here is that we get interesting tidbits with the Minotaur, who I really like, but it’s always only a tease. I’m ready for more.
Mundy: The introduction of five new hitmen in Gotham, along with The Ojo, and the fact that none of them are powered, is an interesting story. Will these new players be easier to control than Ojo? Or, I should say, the three remaining in the field. When Der Giftmörder and Lord Fantôme meet, it’s no surprise they try to kill each other. What is surprising is when Batman defeats them both, and locks them up in his home. What? His logic kind of makes sense, but seems reckless to me.
The Minotaur vignette is short, but sweet. Someone is obviously trying to take him out, too. I’d imagine this tracks back to the Shadow Board, as well, but we’re not told that explicitly. The decoy getting car bombed was clever enough.
Foggy: Finally, throwing the Joker into the end of the issue was clever. The Joker is about chaos, while the Minotaur seems to be about keeping order in his criminal empire. I have the same problem with the Joker as I do with the Minotaur, there isn’t enough of him. It’s simply another mystery upon another mystery.
Mundy: Let’s talk about the end. Joker, still in his tank, still bloated, awakens to a mysterious, off screen visitor, that Joker recognizes. He(?) tells Joker “I’m not going anywhere,” and promptly disappears. I honestly have no idea who this is, which is the point, I’m sure. I could throw theories around, but why bother? I like the creepy foreshadowing, and I like being surprised, so bring it on, Fraction.
Foggy: 3/5 Batarangs- This series continues to be solid, and well planned, but it needs to start paying off some threads.
Mundy: 3.5/5 Batarangs- Look, I’m here for this run. I’m still enjoying it. I still like the vignette style stories we’re getting. But, I’m really ready for some resolutions. Hell, ANY resolution. Finish something, and move on to something else. There is a point where you can have so many loose ends, that the whole thing unravels, and can’t be recovered. Don’t let it get that far gone.
