Batman #13
.....this was amazing. I've been looking forward to this for months, and Snyder delivered. Capullo makes everything look stupendous and gritty. Batman is having a reunion with arguably the greatest villian of all time; Joker. This story, by the looks of it, is going to be another home-run, but with Joker messing around we know that we wont be smiling for long... or will we, but on to the review
THE GOOD:
We start off with Bullock and Gordon talking on the roof about the strange occurences happening. Rivers flooding, a two headed lion born in the zoo. Gordon feels like something is up, and boy is he right. When he gets down to the station, the Clown Prince of Crime stages a hostile takeover. As he tries to deliver his joker, one by one officers are dying. The Commisioner is going crazy, talking to the Joker. Batman is lucky enough to save Jim, and begins an investigation. For starters, if people heard about Detective Comics, Joker's face has been surgically removed and has been in Police custody every since. Joker came there to steal it back, and play around with Gotham's finest in the mean time. Back at the cave, Alfred and Bruce discuss why Joker has been waiting for the past year to show himself and Damian jumps in and says that the Joker isnt a threat anymore. Batman explains to never underestimate him, and that the Joker had his face cut off for a reason. Many members of the Bat-Family call in to see what the story is, including Babs who is particularly annoyed Bruce didnt tell her about the threat against her father. A broadcast is then shown on the TV as Bruce, Alfred and Damian watch, while Dick, Tim, and Babs listen in. A man dressed as Joker, but if looked closely, he is being controlled by Joker, says that Mayor Hady will die at midnight. The man is obviously terrified as the Joker is right behind him and is using his arms as the mans arms like a puppet. The last we hear is Joker's laugh as he shoots the man in the head. Batman then goes to check on the mayor, with Gordon's men taking up the entire Mayor's office. Batman notices that Joker is redoing some of his former crimes, but it is different. He never did his own dirty work, and mentioned Batman knowing his calling card. Batman realizes what has happened and he runs with Jim to find all of the officers gushing out blood from their mouths and their faces petrified in a frown. Batman tests the men's blood and finds a clue to where the Joker wants to meet him; the ACE Chemical Buidling. Batman goes to find the joker dressed in his Red Hood costume, but notices something is wrong. The voice is verified but the body language is not right. Batman falls into a trap, and is sealed inside a chemical vat Joker explains that Batman has grown soft, and he needs save him; by eliminating his allies so that he may be reborn as the Batman the city deserves. The person in the suit is shown to be Harley, and the Joker was speaking through the Helmet. Batman is stuck within the vat screaming at the terrfied Harley, "Where is Joker?!" The last scene is Alfred answering the door, to the two-headed lion cub. Joker then surprises him and then we see the terrifying Prince of Crime with is face attached back to his head with hooks and straps, wielding a hammer asking "NOW, Mr. Pennyworth, stop me if you have heard this one!"
The art in this is utterly terrifying, Capullo has delivered above and beyond anything that I expected
THE BAD:
I rarely ever do this, but honestly almost nothing. I only have 2 nitpicks, and one has nothing to do with the story or art. The first is that i think Bullock was drawn a bit incosistently, and my second one is the variant cover to the comic. It looks cool, and is a neat idea, but rather annoying trying to hold it. But besides those 2 miniscule points, this was perfect. Capullo gracfully enters the story and leaves us on the edge of our seats.
MINI- BACK UP REVIEW:
The back up consists of Joker, once again recruiting Harley, explaining the last scene in the book. Joker humiliates and terrfies Harley, as well as the readers, explaining that they have to be the same and that she must lose her face as well. But at the last second he shoves the Red Hood on her face and laughs, while Harley is standing terrified and unaware of where the Joker is.
OVERALL:
Gotta say, when i said that since Snyder blew our expectations with the Court of Owls arc, that he would have to step it up to keep us interested. Guys, he blew it out of the park. This right here is one of those very rare comics that leaves you utterly terrified for the next page, and Capullo my hat is forvever tipped in your favor. This is a gem, another epic we are witnessing. Be sure to pick up any Bat-realted titles, because soon they will all fall victim to "The Death of the Family"!!!!.
