Batman 6- The Feels and The Fallout
I know Matt Fraction said this series was going to be standalone stories with a through line, but that’s out the window. We’ve gone fully episodic, and I’m so here for it.
BATMAN 6 is all about fallout.
Recap: Some spoilers
The first three pages are eight panels each of a tight two-shot of Bruce and Dr. Zellar breaking down what just happened, including the reveal with Damian, which leads to a funny misunderstanding that kind of feels naive for someone supposedly so smart.
Next, Bruce engages in some questionable parenting with Damian. Which is honestly nothing new, right?
After a quick glance at the six gang leaders licking their wounds, one of them gets a phone call from…Hugo Strange?! He’s back with his monster men, as the cover suggests, and obviously pulling strings, but to what end?
Jack and Huston, after getting nowhere with Jack’s newspaper connection, bring their Vandal Savage video to P.I. Harvey Bullock, who offers little hope of justice being served in the corrupt Gotham Justice system.
Batman crosses paths with Strange’s new monster men, debuting the Batblades (Titanium core. Laser honed) in the melee. But the party is broken up by a heavily equipped militia opening fire. They are quickly incapacitated and detained. Batman escapes, calling the batmobile to him.
Mundy: My favorite part of the issue is Tim returning to Pennyworth Manor to relinquish the mantle of Robin. Obviously nervous about Bruce’s reaction, Tim is pleasantly surprised by Bruce saying “What else have we been fighting for if not that?” and leaving the door open for a return. This was a really touching moment that definitely speaks to the beating heart of this book. Unfortunately, things don’t go so well for Tim when dealing with Damian.
Foggy: Tim and Damian are my two favorite Robins, both for different reasons. I’m glad they exploring this side of Tim, or at least referring to it. The recent short run by Fitzmartin and Rossmo was excellent, but sadly short lived. I, for one, wouldn’t mind seeing another series with Tim and Bernard. Fraction really handled this moment well. It was juxtaposed against his handling of Damian accidentally “giving away” his identity. Bruce really struggled here, but inwardly he knows it because he sees Alfred in his mind calling him out. Bruce didn’t handle it well, but he knows better.
Mundy: The epilogue drops an epic plot twist. Dr. Zellar is definitely not who she’s been presenting herself to be, especially to Bruce.
Foggy: If I remember correctly, we both called out Dr. Zellar in our issue one review. We knew something was up!
Mundy: Honestly, this is my favorite issue of the series, so far. Touching on all the different plot lines is done in a way that feels like an episode of a very good TV show. We get just enough in each scene to further the story, and more space is taken where it’s needed, in the emotional heart of the episode.
I was definitely hoping to see more of Tim, but his reasoning for leaving makes sense, though it can never last, because comics. I also enjoy Bullock as a P.I., and his relationship with Gordon and Batman is always fun.
Jiménez’s art feels different in this issue, but I can’t quite put my finger on why. I’m not sure if he’s just experimenting with techniques, or simply improving as an artist. Either way, this is his best work yet!
Foggy: I loved this issue as well. I loved the dialog and layout, especially, on the first three pages. Their potential budding romance is pretty natural and the realization that she somehow doesn’t put it together who he is, was priceless.
Jimenez is absolutely amazing. His layouts are superb. His acting direction in the quieter scenes is so good. He knows how to pull out the emotions. There are writers and artists who seamlessly tell stories. I”m thinking of Lee and Kirby, Miller and Janson, Bendis and Bagley, Morrison and Quitely, Snyder and Capullo, etc. Fraction and Jimenez are starting to feel like that.
I really love the final page before the epilogue. It’s Bruce sitting on his steps, his shadow as Batman extending across the floor. The pose, the shadow, the blue and black, and the sparseness on the page show his dejection and isolation. Just beautiful.
Mundy: 5 out of 5 batarangs- How this story is paced, the heartfelt family aspects, and the heightened level of the already gorgeous art, all combined to hit a bullseye for me.
Foggy: 4.75 out of 5 batarangs- yeah, it’s near perfect. Just need a little wiggle room in case Fraction outdoes himself here.
