WARNING: Spoilers are ahead. If you don't mind having the story mostly told to you in short, so that you can decide whether you want to get Batman or not, continue reading. Otherwise, turn back.

So... The day has finally arrived where I've completed my Batman vol. 2 collection! Obviously it'll never be complete until the series is finished, but I have caught myself up to the most current issue, and read them all, as well as all the crossovers for the Court of Owls except for Detective Comics and All Star Western.

Here's my review of the volume so far...

Short answer? Get it.

Scott Snyder pulls you in by talking about Gotham. What Gotham is, what it may be, and who it does and doesn't belong to; and most importantly, what the people of Gotham think of their fair city. This alone sets the stage for his saga with Batman, but more on that later.

The first issue is telling you what the New 52 Gotham is all about. It has a heavy focus on this, even until the very last page, where the detective Harvey says to Batman that "you don't know Gotham, Gotham knows you, because above all, Gotham is... a mystery." Dick Grayson makes an appearance as well. He features in a disguise as the Joker, combating an insurrection in Arkham Asylum for the criminally insane whilst sewing the seeds of distrust amongst the inmates, making them believe the Joker is now working with the Bat. Tim Drake and Damian Wayne feature a mild amount as well, with a clever bit of technology that Scott Snyder made up for the comic narrating who everyone is, and who their superhero identities are and have been, if applicable. This is a very clever way of helping new readers into the book and into the mythos of Batman; the same technology also makes it's way into the rest of the volume thus far, no longer simply narrating to new readers, but pulling the story along by helping Batman find his victim for the evening; a John Doe who's been stabbed some 30+ times, dying from both blood loss and pain whilst pinned to a wall. The important things about this are that Bruce Wayne's life is threatened by a message left by the John Doe, and the knives that were used as throwing darts on his body are engraved with an owl on them. That's not all. Dick Grayson's DNA is found in the victim's fingernails, leading the detective to find out more about the mysterious murder victim. An interesting and compelling way to get readers to continue reading, whilst also providing some neat back-story for the more detail-oriented readers. Applause for Scott there.

The rest of the series thus far has dealt with Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson's travels into their own pasts and hearts, to find that all is not as it seems; even Alfred is not immune to the plague of past troubles in Gotham, with a mini-story added to the books, detailing the life and death of Alfred's father, Jarvis Pennyworth. I won't reveal much more, so that you can read the series yourself and enjoy. Bottom line? Scott Snyder uses excellent writing techniques and compelling storylines, along with quite excellent artwork, to bring you the Bat story you needed and deserved.

-- Minigunman123