A Bruce-less Gotham.
I was halfway apprehensive when I began to read this novel because I wasn't sure if it could live up to the incredible New 52 Batman I'd recently read, and I have to say my doubts were immediately put to rest. Snyder was able to meet or even exceed his massively popular run on the New 52 Batman. This is mandatory read for Batfans and non-Batfans alike.
THE GOOD
The fact that Snyder is able to keep your interest in multiple arcs, all of which contain virtually no Bruce Wayne, is a feat in itself. Within a relatively short amount of time, Snyder develops incredible depth within an entire array of characters. He makes it very clear that Dick Grayson is an entirely different Batman, with his own set of morals and fears, and he doesn't patronize us by spoonfeeding us the differences between Dick and Bruce. I hardly even have to tell you how impressive it is that he was able to write an arc based solely on the Gordon family that keeps your interest just a much as a Bruce story. Besides producing museum-worthy artwork, Jock and Francesco Francavilla do an incredible job of setting the tone of the stories throughout this novel. The cover is the epitome of the originality that Jock is able to produce, even after eight-hundred-something Detective Comics.
THE BAD
I've earnestly tried to find something to complain about, and I have to say that there's not a thing wrong with this novel. I don't want to throw around the word 'perfect' but...
THE VERDICT
5 out of 5. Any day. You're a fool if you don't pick this up.
