romance, great action shots and Batman being a DICK (what's new?)
I'm not the biggest bat-fan, but this issue gets me so good. There are so many panels in which there is a lot of motion, sometimes in consecutive panels, sometimes in one. The first of these is at the beginning of Act 2. Eiffel tower, we know where we are, and Batman's in his underwear, on his bed in his room, when he hears his door open. Within very short moments, seconds or even less, he jumps off the bed, somersaults and is in an alert posture behind the door. This is Batman, and he is a fit, agile, well built guy who can be respected for his speed and ninja-esque movements. He also gets a nice description of who he is through Talia, who is all coy and flirty and EXTREMELY sexy. This somersaulting action shot is also mainly in one panel with a few movements happening in one space.
the next great scene is his escape from the burning warehouse. He shoots his grappling hook and WHOOOSH, just flies outta there, this guard get's it right in the face. It's 2 pages, 7 panels in total, but it's mostly the second page that impresses me, where Batman is not doing much except for moving through the air real fast, while the poor guard is reacting, trying to get the gun loaded but fails, receiving a punch from the "flying" Batman. One character's staying still, although being propelled at a high velocity and the other performs (or tries to perform) 3 actions.
Talia's head falling down at the end of the date was similarly impressive (you can FEEL her movement), and Batman watching her walk away at the end of the issue were spaced neatly as well.
Also, the beauty of the lady, the flirting, the passionate kisses and the Parisian date that ends in the rain are SO sexy. This is James Bond, except American and skilled in more forms of martial arts, and funded by and working for himself instead of the govt. Talia is so fucking HOT and Batman's a lucky guy to have her chase after him. But he has to shoot himself in the foot, twice. So for all his loneliness and bad luck, it has to be his own fault that he brings it on himself.
Another thing about this issue is how easily you can depend on the rain to fall (but that it never does when the building you're trapped in is ON FIRE) It's a story well told. An enjoyable read and a great place for someone to start reading from. Oh and the art, awesome and sexy.