Batman #12
Overview
This epilogue details the new character Harper Row and what she was up to between issue 1 and issue 7. Although this adds no current development into the story, it does elaborate an interesting new character and could show her importance in the upcoming Joker arc, but on to the review
THE GOOD:
Now we do get to see who Harper is, how she got into the Wayne gala, and her relationship with Batman. She is a very troubled girl just trying to get day by day with her brother, who just so happens to be gay and has a possible crush on Tim Drake but she could possibly like him too. We see that she is a gifted technician and computer expert, which could allude to her further involvement in the Bat-family hopefully as the new Oracle but thats getting ahead of myself. After some witty conversation with Alfred, Harper comes home to find her brother beaten and bloodied. Apparently he has been victim to some harassment over his homosexuality, which could also allude to gay equality and the social stigma young people have against gays. Harper holds him close and has an idea. She shaves parts of their hair and in the right alignment the back of their hair spells out F.A.G. Honestly huge cudos to Harper on that. This is also why her hair is so short as she cut the rest of her hair as well. She and her brother get more harassment but Harper fights off her attackers with a home made tazer. There are too many guys but lucky for the two of them Batman appears, and wipes the floor with the homophobes. He lets them off with a warning, even though all of them are pummeled. This is where Harper gets her fascination with Batman. With her work in the sewers helping fix old electrical boxes and wires that run throughout the city she discovers that whenever Batman is near any camera that particular camera is momentarily deactivated and only reactivated when he has gone. She discovers several "Bat-boxes" which are used to hide his location, and eventually discovers a way to track Batman. When she sees that one of the Bat-boxes has been disabled, Harper goes out to help him. As Batman fights off a villain Harper proves to get in the way but eventually ends up helping out Batman. While back at work in the sewers, she is greeted by a displeased Batman who says "Whatever you think you're doing, you're finished". Though Harper tries to explain that she was there to repay Batman, and even after his warning, she still feels that she owes him something and says that there's no way she is stopping. I liked how we are brought full circle and issue 7 makes even more sense. I didnt doubt Snyder in the least when approaching this, even though it isnt what i expected.
THE BAD:
Unfortunately, and I cant believe im saying this, but this is my least favorite issue out of the series. I know its an epilogue but it felt pretty slow throughout the story and was pretty dull all together. The fill-in artist also didnt help. I know this is suppose to be important because this is the first woman to draw this series but it wasn't to my liking, especially the last page. Also Capullo is resting up or at least working overtime for this new arc to come out and i understand why they gave him a well-deserved break. Harper has alot of potential and im looking forward to her involvement in future stories but this background of her , although somewhat interesting, lacked any affirmative punch. And maybe thats not her fault but the issue itself. It lacked any definitive notion to be remembered. All this issue does tell us a bit who she is, what she does, and a feeling of dissatisfaction because we want more. I say "we" not because i feel every reader has to feel the way i do, but rather readers who were expecting more. Is it disappointing, ya i can say that, only because i wanted Harper's story to be more memorable.
OVERALL:
I will say that this issue wasnt meant to break down doors, it was meant to explain. I also feel that since this series has blown my expectations, that i have to raise the bar and justly doing so give this an average score. I may have given it a 4 if Capullo did the art because the art is what makes you stare at the page and care about the characters. Words can only do so much. While i still feel hungry for more, i am satisfied we know more about Harper, and i personally believe she is going to make her presence known in the upcoming story. I dont know whether or not i will pick up the 0 issue, only because all the 0 issues don't interest me. I only think that i will get the 0 issues to some of the New 52 i havent read yet but am interested in: Teen Titans, Justice League Dark, Ravagers, American Vampire, Batgirl, Batwoman. Idk yet, i am limited in what i can buy and i try to buy issues with the full arc in them so this will be a good opportunity to replace Batman/Robin with some other good story. Although i might not buy issue 0, i will still check it out, and patiently wait for the brilliance that is Scott Snyder/Greg Capullo and a very anticipated arc that i will happily throw money for.
TIL THEN HAPPY READING GUYS :P
