Interesting Story, Beautiful Art
Perhaps it was not the best idea to pick up this copy as someone who has never read a Batman comic in her life, but the beautiful cover was almost hypnotising (look at her gorgeous orange hair!) and Poison Ivy has interested me ever since her appearance in the New 52's Harley Quinn.
Unfortunately, however, since this issue was a continuation of the previous one, I had to look up what happened it in. Though, despite that little speed bump, I quite enjoyed this issue anyway. The story was interesting, the interactions wonderful and the colouring and pictures were simply stunning.
This issue was divided into two parts. The first part, "Unnatural Selection", begins with Bruce Wayne being under attack by a member of the Ghost Dragons. Whilst not wanting to accidentally expose himself as the notorious Batman, Wayne is saved by Penguin. The comic then cuts to a conversation between Wayne and his son, Damien -- and to be honest, because I have never once read Batman before, I was quite surprised to discover that he had a son -- about the ecoterrorism occurring in Gotham City and targeting Oswald Cobblepot's various businesses.
Through a collection of brilliantly crafted pages, Batman soon comes into contact with Poison Ivy in one of Penguin's businesses that she is currently targeting -- my favourite portion of the comic -- and she tries to kiss him in an attempt to gain control over Batman. This does not happen, however, as Batman has gotten a recent addition to his Batvisor (such beautiful colours used!). Though, things do not go as smoothly as Batman would have liked, as somebody else has discovered where Poison Ivy was targeting.
The second portion of Batman Detective Comics #14 was "Seeds & Dirt". This section offers readers a little backstory to Poison Ivy's break-in to Arkham Asylum to break out one of the asylum's most dangerous inhabitants. This was quite the interesting piece and was definitely entertaining. Additionally, I quite liked gaining some insight into what Poison Ivy was thinking.
Whilst this issue was probably not the best Batman comic to introduce one's self to the multifaceted and extensive Batman universe, I did quite enjoy it. The story was particularly interesting and I definitely intend to pick up the following issue in order to discover what happens. Furthermore, the art and colours were actually quite beautiful, with this issue's art being some of my favourite that I have seen so far. I loved how Poison Ivy and her planets were drawn in particular.