DC Comics reviews 3/5/24 – Batman #145, Shazam #9

Batman #145

After the going nowhere Joker Year One story, writer Chip Zdarsky returns to the main storyline of Batman Zur-En-Arrh/Failsafe. The darker aspect of Batman’s personality has locked Bruce Wayne in a prison cell with The Joker.

Zdarsky doesn’t write an especially strong Batman/Joker interplay so these moments don’t offer much that hasn’t been done much better before. While Batman searches for answers and a means to escape, Batman ZEH/Failsafe is running around Gotham trying to enforce martial law. Naturally this prompts the stale storyline of the mayor demanding that Commissioner Montoya take down Batman. Zdarsky is trying to sell the notion that Gotham officials can’t figure out that a robot is proclaiming itself Batman.

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The Bat Family is somewhat confused, not entirely sold if the android really is Batman. Failsafe has become a frustrating villain that’s been a combination of Jason Voorhees and The Terminator. No matter how many times it seems like it should be dead so Zdarsky can do something else, it comes back.

Despite the narrative challenges, as usual, the artwork from Jorge Jimenez makes Batman #145 worth a look. Jimenez’s dynamic action sequences and emotional character beats elevate the material. Tomeu Morey’s color work remains sharp with fantastic lighting choices and gradient effects. Clayton Cowles’ creative lettering helps distinguish Joker, Batman ZEA and Failsafe nicely.

Zdarsky hasn’t been able to weave much magic in Batman since the Batman/Catwoman War. This storyline feels like another act in the seemingly endless Failsafe novel. Hopefully the curtain is drawing to a close soon.

Rating: 7 out of 10