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    Batman Eternal

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    The New 52's first weekly series starring Batman and his large cast of supporting characters, both friend and foe.

    Batman Eternal #34

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    undeadpool

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    Edited By undeadpool

    The Good

    The BATMAN ETERNAL crew has done a lot of things very well over the course of this series, but one of the best, most subtle things is maintaining narrative momentum. BATMAN ETERNAL hasn’t really ever jumped around narratively nor used jumps forward nor back, yet has still managed to keep a steady pace, transitioning seamlessly from one story to the next so the whole narrative still feels cohesive and connected. This issue is another excellent example of that as Hush’s plan to detonate Batman’s weapon caches throughout the city is revealed to not be the final step of his master plan. When that step is revealed, it not only makes for excellent storytelling, but it connects organically to the previous steps. Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV have done a helluva job charting and architecting this story while Kyle Higgins’ script holds it all together and Ray Fawkes and Tim Seeley make all the little details click on consulting and I know I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: these guys must have a great line of communication because the continuity of both events and quality is beyond the pale.

    Alvaro Martinez’s pencils are incredible. This is a very action-heavy issue and the fights explode across the page with violence and impact that’s amazingly well blocked. We’ve been waiting to see Batman and Hush throw down for several issues now and this fight does not disappoint, particularly showing the gulf between the two fighters’ skill. Hush has some moves for sure, but this issue makes it clear that he has not been to the mountain. He hasn’t even SEEN the mountain. Raul Fernandez handles inks and brings the characters, and city, into stark relief with details that bring out the atmosphere and expressions of the panels and Brad Anderson’s colors give a sense of depth to Gotham and its denizens.

    The Bad

    Julia Pennyworth has been an interesting, worthy addition to this universe and this storyline especially, but in this particular issue she feels highly misused. Her effectiveness is called seriously into question in a situation where it should have been more than sufficient against an opponent she highly outclasses in terms of fighting acumen.

    This is also a plot-focused issue, and while the plot develops along some very interesting paths, and the fight at the end is satisfying, the characters bounce off each other without any substantial interaction or development and they go along feeling almost like they’re on rails, which makes some moments ring hollow when they should have some substance.

    The Verdict

    The storyline appears to be turning another corner, and now would be a good time to grab a few back issues and get into this book. It’s seemingly found exactly what it wants to be and how it wants to get there, eschewing the more globetrotting, bombastic storylines for some real intimate, smaller-scale stories. Too many cooks sometimes spoil the broth, but that’s of no concern here as the consistent quality of this book hasn’t significantly wavered in several issues.

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    the_stegman

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    #1 the_stegman  Moderator

    I wanna read this so bad, but I'm reading Earth 2: World's End, and I can't afford two weeklies, maybe I'll switch...

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    victorcheenoanleu

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    @the_stegman: You should switch lol

    & c'mon Corey I think you're being to hard on Julia, he shot her not beat her in hand to hand.

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    knightofthechronicle

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    I loved the plot twist but now I really want to know who's really behind all of this! Hush was just another pawn (okay, maybe a rook), so who's the controller of all of this?

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    StarBrand1

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    i stopped reading once hush came in, i just dont like that guy. But i feel like im missing a huge chunk of story in my other books

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    Anjales_II

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    The Batman vs Hush fight is definitely a Best Battle of the Week contender eh @k4tzm4n

    As for the reveal that Hush isn't the big bad well I've been noticing a few hints here and there, notably early on, when Batman was wondering who is the mastermind, he would repeatedly ask in big caps Who? WHO?!? While they showed a shadowy figure. "Who" as in the sound owls make, as in the Court of Owls, as in Lincoln March. The original teaser for BE also showed an Owl on a tree, and since they haven't made their presence knwon yet, it's the logical answer that they are behind this.

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    Jonny_Anonymous

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    First Julia was in the SRS now she's in the SAS, they need to make up their minds. Also why isn't Gotham swarming with British Military police since she's pretty much went AWOL.

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    Vivide

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    Wayne enterprises is down :D

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    TaxidermyLove

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    Anyone think Hush looked like The Arkham Knight quite a bit in his gear? or is it just me? :P

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    icecold14

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    What if its Joker behind all this as well :o

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    batwingman83

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    I thought fabok's artwork was the best so far in the series but this issues artwork is literally the best I have seen in a while...beautiful!

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    StarBrand1

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    @the_stegman:

    worlds end and futures end are fantastic reads, i say stick with them and pick up the eternal trades when they come out.

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    TDK_1997

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    #16  Edited By TDK_1997

    I thought the issue's strongest point was the job the artist did. His pencils were incredible and I would love to see him work on a Batman book again. As for the master plan and the big twists and stuff like that - I expected it from this creative team to make Hush just another pawn and not the actual villain. It was obvious that things will turn out that way a few issues before this one and also if you know the work of all of the writers then you would know what to expect. Even though I was disappointed that TOmmy wasn't the big bad I still enjoyed, kind of, this issue and I want to see what will happen next.

    3.5/5

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    Kestrelio

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    I'm really having a hard time jumping into this series. Hush is such a joke of a villain with a completely illogical motive that the pill is just too big to swallow.

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    Leafx

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    @knightofthechronicle: I personally think Dr. Hurt or Owlman are the frontrunners for being the final boss of eternal. at the beginning of the series when we see Bruce beaten and tied to the batsignal, the villain calls him Bruce specifically. very few villains actually care much about or know Bruce's identity, a select few include both Lincoln March and Dr Hurt. they are also two of the only villains with the resources to be able to put everything that has happened in Eternal together.

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    HumanRocket

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    Really didn't like the new 52 Hush.

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    UltronMk7

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    Wow, fantastic read. Aside from a few side tracked issues this series has been excellent issue after issue. 3 great and 1 very good Bat book right now. It will be interesting to see who is behind this. Don't want to spoil but I agree with some of the other posters. Just a fantastic ride this series has been. Gordon arrested, in prison. The return of Hush, what he did to twist the knife with Bruce. Attacking Alfred with the fear toxin, now Julia. All good stuff. Look forward to this every week. Haven't missed an issue yet. I am also enjoying Futures End and World End but this is the best of the 3 IMHO.

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    Eddk1994

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    #25  Edited By Eddk1994

    Just throwing this out there.. Owlman from earth 3(from Forever Evil)?

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    deactivated-5edd330f57b65

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    @eddk1994: this is the most random thread to ask that, but yes.

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    Eddk1994

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    #27  Edited By Eddk1994

    @jayc1324: found it difficult to locate another batman eternal thread. Realistically I can see it being either owlman from earth 3 or owlman of earth primE but what do you think?

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