DC Comics reviews 3/4/20 – The Flash #750, Batman #90, Strange Adventures #1

Batman #90

James Tynion IV is shaking up the Batman series in a thrilling manner that’s both true to the character — and his Rogue Gallery — while bringing something completely fresh to the title.

While Harley Quinn keeps Deathstroke occupied, Catwoman tells Batman the origin of their association with the Designer. Imagine Professor Moriarty deciding he needed to do whatever it took no matter how long to outwit Sherlock Holmes’ strategy in stopping him. That’s kinda how Tynion is approaching the Designer.

I love that Tynion is using the classic Big 4 Batman villains famously assembled in Batman the Movie. The Designer calls Joker, Penguin, Catwoman and The Riddler to discuss methods for them to topple Batman with their greatest score ever. Tynion underscores the different agendas for the four Rogues and the very serious threat of The Joker. Catwoman’s lack of her usual bravado sells the serious nature of this new threat. It’s a superb character study and my favorite issue of Tynion’s spellbinding run.

He pairs up this issue with Jorge Jimenez, who brings a unique sense of style and storytelling with amazing pages and layouts. Jimenez draws a haunting Joker and his Batman is rendered in a classic powerful sense. Tynion couldn’t have partnered with a better artist for this arc.

The Tynion run on Batman has already been superb, but with Jimenez on board it’s going to a new level of can’t miss storytelling. Don’t miss this book.

Rating: 10 out of 10