Guide To Being An Effective Batman
Grant Morrison and Pete Tomasi writing Dick as Batman has been wonderful and very true to the character.
Dick continues the mystery of Sonia Branch's assistant's death. There's less detective work on this issue but it certainly has it's good share of action and drama. Dick escapes his death trap and easily defeats the Roadrunner. One of the key monologues has Rhodes discussing his history in Gotham, his move to Metropolis, and quick return to Gotham. Rhodes is smart enough to know Batman isn't as deft and superhuman as Superman but he underestimates how effective Batman is.
I think the key to this issue is Snyder taking a slight break in showing us how Dick succeeds as Batman. A good example is Dick discussing falling into traps by villains, he knows Bruce and the gang get tricked every now and again but it's just something they don't discuss. It points to the fallibility of Batman but Dick doesn't take defeat lightly. When Rhodes makes his Looney Toons quip, Dick gives him a "That's all folks" right back at him. It's a funny moment that Bruce would never partake in. However, that doesn't make Dick any less effective. He gets leverage on Roadrunner by effectively crushing his prosthetic leg, a ruthless tactic that would make Bruce proud. It's great to see Dick written this way, he's Batman but he's doing this his way. It's certainly the best way to write Dick as Batman. He's not always cheerful and comedic, he has darkness and we see it when he's confronted by Sonia Branch (Zucco).
It's these tiny character moments are what I really savor.
Legacy is the second running theme. Dick takes on the mantle of Bruce, Gordon has doubts about his son's rehabilitation, and Sonia is trying to disassociate herself from her father. They all struggle with carrying on with their legacy or rejecting it. I love how Snyder shows Gordon uncomfortable with Dick wondering about progeny and Sonia surprising Dick. Yes, there might be some very uncomfortable attraction there between Dick and Sonia. Here Snyder takes a good step forward with plot and character. My favorite part? The return of the bat-taser.
The reveal of Tiger Shark is something I just can't wait for. I haven't been this excited to see an old character like that in a long time. Once again Jock's work is amazing. His line work and dynamic action is jaw dropping and gorgeous. I love the little tweaks to Frank Quitely's design. I think this is one of his best issues, the layouts are really dynamic and give a better sense of movement. Nothing better that seeing Jock draw Batman soar in the sky or dive underwater.
My only complaint is the forced preview of Super 8 by Peter Tomasi and Tommy Lee Edwards, DC if you're listening. While intriguing and beautiful to look it.... please don't insert it in the middle of the comic. Do it at the end like you normally do. It ruins the flow of the comic.
Scott Snyder really hits it out of the park. Issues between the introduction and conclusion are the hardest and Synder and Jock really make the arc engaging and ominous. I can't wait for what's up next,
