DC Comics reviews 4/11/23 – Superman Lost #2, Batman Incorporated #7
Batman Incorporated #7
Batman Incorporated has emerged as a rarity among the Batman titles — it’s distant enough from Batman that it can stand on its own without needing to rely on its Batman ties yet still being closely linked enough to still feel part of the Batman umbrella.
This issue, Ghost-Maker and the team are still tracking down Professor Pyg as he is about to kill two young thieves for stealing his most murderous automaton yet. As usual, writer Ed Brisson shows an impressive handle on the characters and making them unique enough to validate their roles in the team. Considering no one on this team has any super powers, that’s very commendable.
Brisson gets pacing as well. So far, no arc has dragged out too long or felt too short. He’s breaking them down just right regardless of how many issues it takes. And his character work has been even better in how their voices are starting to form and play out in recognizable fashion in different scenarios.
Michelle Bandini really needs to be on a title long-term for DC. His art was outstanding in these last two issues. Batman Inc. really looked good under his pencils. Since this title isn’t an option, DC should seriously consider Bandini for any and all open team books as he had no trouble juggling a variety of characters and making them all stand out. From the perspectives, expressions and crisp action sequences, this has been the best the book has looked since its inception.
Colorist Rex Lokus provides just the right mix of bright and dark colors as fitting for the particular scene. Letterer Clayton Cowles also does solid work in aiding with the personalities of the characters.
The development on the final few pages was a little annoying as it’s a plot device that’s been done to (literal) death too many times. Maybe Brisson can do something fresh with it, but it really would have been stronger to leave that as an enjoyable unique aspect of a Batman title. It’s the only downside to another exceptional issue from one of DC’s rising must-read books.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10