Geek, Uninterrupted

Literally when was the last time we got a batman issue that was as fun and light as this?

I understand that those might not be two adjectives that seem synonymous with Batman these days but there was once a time, which makes little moments like this all the more welcome.

I think my favourite thing about this issue is that the perspective doesn’t shift at all and there isn’t even a little jump in time between panels. Jimenez’s art has always been dynamic but here it feels especially frenetic as we follow Bruce and Dr. Zeller throughout the city. I think this is first time we’re seeing Damian’s new suit in Jimenez’s style too? I like it well enough in the pages of Batman and Robin but it just looks great in this issue.

Morey’s colours are fantastic in this story too. The shift in the palette between the reds and yellows of the first few pages to the purple and blues of the final fight was wonderful to watch as the story unfolded. Also, I’m a big fan of the red skies, I don’t think there’s a crisis event going on in the background of this issue but still very B:TAS, love it.

The Bruce Wayne voice in this story feels spot on. Even though he’s not in costume the situation he’s in doesn’t necessarily allow for him to do the whole ‘bumbling idiot playboy’ thing, and I think it’d be very easy to write him as regular Batman, minus the pointy ears.

Fraction instead manages to find a balance between the two distinct parts of Bruce that has the intensity and earnestness of both sides of the coin, so it’s great to see how Zeller interacts with Bruce on a slightly different level because of the shift in his character.

Really nice to see that while Zeller isn’t able to fight like Bruce, she’s got good instincts that make her capable in her own right. This might be too random, but does anyone else hear Ashly Burch’s Miss Pauling when they read her dialogue?

Also also: That last page, I love it, love it, love it! Such drama! Cannot wait to see what happens next. This series continues to be my favourite book on shelves right now.