Batman #5

Batman by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo has been both very well written and illustrated thus far, I have been trying to back away from reviewing popular titles with overwhelming amounts of positive reviews because another positive review would have very little meaning to what is already said. However with that said this issue goes above and beyond in the storytelling aspect as well as illustrative. This issue in particular gets so engaging to the point where one must actually turn the book in another direction to coherently read the issue, which in the hands of any other writer could be viewed as a gimmick. however in the hands of Scott Snyder This gimmick becomes an experience in which goes hand in hand with something that produces a work of art. I think the most striking thing about this issue is just how far gone Bruce is, when we last saw Bruce he just fell into the Court of Owl's giant Labyrinth, however picking up this issue and seeing Bruce both physically and mentally at his breaking point, all i can ask is just what happened? I haven't seen Bruce this far gone since he had his back shattered by Bane. how powerful is that? to read a story in which a hero whom most fans and readers have come to consider the one man/hero who cannot be broken likewise a solution/contingency to all scenarios and problems. Yet that is what Scott Snyder and crew have given us; the utter and complete meltdown of one of our greatest heroes of modern day storytelling. When i say meltdown, some may roll their eyes and think "Oh great drama or Batman being emotional". Yet Batman's breakdown is far more than just a tool to shock the reader, it serves a far greater purpose to the type of story that Scott Snyder is writing. If one of the greatest heroes has been exhausted to the point of insanity, what does that say about the adversary that beat the bat? quite frankly I myself am terrified of the Court of Owls and their Talon. With good reason too i feel, while there is little but important information revealed within the issue, it goes to show that The Court is in fact a significant threat. Other that rumors and theories, Batman/Bruce knows near to nothing about his new adversaries. any information that has been learned up to this point has been too late to change anything to Batman's favor, a perfect example would be finding a Owl base under his nose. bottom line is the court of Owls has been playing circles around Batman for some time, Batman has been losing too much ground, and it certainly costs him. The symbolism and art overall has been keeping pace with Snyder's wonderful storytelling. I would highly suggest this issue and series to all. Fear the Court and it's Talon for they have Broken the Bat! This is storytelling at it's finest, and i say to Snyder and Capullo "Well done gentlemen". 5/5