DC Comics reviews 9/6/22 – Batman #127, Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #4
Batman #127
It feels like it’s been a while since a writer had a really fresh Batman story to tell. One that draws from his past in telling a larger story that doesn’t just feel like a retread of previous tales.
Chip Zdarsky is crafting what feels like the start of a truly special Batman run, which celebrates the legacy of the character while establishing a creative and unpredictable future.
With Failsafe operational in Gotham, Batman willingly slips into his Zur-En-Arrh persona in hopes of taking down an unstoppable Batman deterrent robot. Of course, when Batman himself designs the robot, stopping him is definitely easier said than done. This is why it’s so useful for Zdarsky to prominently feature Nightwing and Robin (Tim Drake) in this installment. These are the Bruce Wayne’s best sidekicks/partners and they fight to ensure their father figure remains safe even if he’s literally fighting against himself.
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Jorge Jimenez continues to establish an impressive stint as a modern Batman artist with staying power. Jimenez’s style works so well in these high frantic action sequences, but he’s equally strong in establishing scenes with a cinematic perspective. Tomeu Morey’s color work is vibrant, which is best exemplified with the lighting blast effects.
The last-minute cameo is also encouraging in the fact that Zdarsky looks to explore Batman’s ties beyond Gotham.
In a side story, Catwoman traces down a familiar player with a new identity that addresses an early mystery in Zdarsky’s run. It’s nice that Zdarsky didn’t drag that reveal out too long and instead puts the character on the sidelines without making a big fuss over it. Belén Ortega’s art is more than adequate for this story.
Zdarsky and Jimenez’s Batman run is cruising with a strong pair of issues that suggests the book is in the right hands. With this creative team locked in place, Batman’s future looks bright regardless of the outfit he’s wearing.
Rating: 10 out of 10