A Comic? Or Something More?
Spoiler Alert: No promises that this review won't spoil the comic!
About Me
When I got into comics a few months ago, I immediately started reading Scott Snyder's story arc from Batman #1 to Batman #11. I ended up reading them out of order, but I was nonetheless amazed by the story. Now that I am actually reading his comics in order, his stories are infinitely better.
My Impressions
This comic book is as close that literature comes to motion picture. The art, especially the paneling and flow of each picture, is fantastic. The beginning of the comic is set in the rain, and moves perfectly to see Joker stepping out of his van. In my opinion, that single panel makes this book perfect.
It only gets better after that. Joker steals the show, and although we get some good Batman monologuing, it's all about how Joker's return. I love the dialogue as well. I've had to reread the comic several times, and every time I appreciate another detail that Snyder gives us. I think it's my favorite bit of writing from Snyder yet.
I also liked the puzzle that Snyder creates. Joker is hinting at how he's going to kill the mayor, and for once we're able to predict crime using our own detective skills. I thought the calling card thing was great, and after rereading several times, I really appreciate the hints Snyder gives. The puzzle is so much better when the answer is right in front of you, yet you still fail to get it. I hope more of this will be in the next comic and the ones afterwards. I practically live for stuff like that.
I have to talk about the back-up story, as it is simply fantastic. I'm not a fan of back-ups in general, and even in the Court of Owls I usually just skimmed over the content quickly. That said, this comic has shown me that back-ups can actually be quite entertaining.
Lastly, Greg Capullo's reveal of Joker at the end is beautiful. It has instantly made Joker's cut-off-face look my favorite Joker. I think the mechanic uniform is interesting as well. We'll have to wait and see how his tool-belt comes into play.
My Analysis and Predictions
Judging from Joker's promise to hurt the Bat-family and that Alfred is being attacked, it is clear that Joker knows Batman's secret identity. If Joker is going to injure or kill each member of the Bat-family, the first would have to be Alfred, not some random butler of Gotham's most handsome bachelor. He is the first companion Bruce ever had, and thus the first member of the Bat-family (excluding Bruce from the family). Now, I'll be the first to admit that I speculated Joker is just randomly attacking Bruce Wayne's butler. However, after reading this over and over agin, it only makes sense that Joker knows Bruce Wayne is Batman.
So, if Alfred is Joker's first target, I would assume he'll go after Nightwing, then Batgirl, Red Hood (possibly), Red Robin, and finally Damian. However, since this arc (or at least the first part) is only five issues total, and since this is the first, I think Joker will have to work twice as fast to get everyone (or he'll have to skip Red Hood). Although I would hate for Alfred to die, I am not totally opposed to the Bat-family disappearing from comics for a little while. However, I doubt that they will die, or even disappear from their own books, so I am uncertain how Snyder will continue. I can only hope that his arc is a momentous occasion in the story of Batman.
In conclusion, I think this is solid Batman. The police station is horrific, the T.V. killing is classic Joker material, and the mystery of the mayor is wonderful. After reading the end of this comic, I am dying for more. I can hardly stand to wait until next Wednesday.
