Review – Batman #50 (DC Comics)
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Mikel Janín
Colours: June Chung
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Release Date: 4th July 2018
So it’s come to this. Wedding bells for Bat and Cat. Has it been worth the wait? Well, before I answer that, let’s look at the context.
I’ve been a bit worried about the DCU lately. I feel like there’s an awful lot of power creep going on, what with Dark Nights and Dark Gods and Darkstars (there’s a pattern here), fundamental energies of the universe (Mystery, Wonder, Wisdom and Entropy), fundamental forces (Strength and Sage, to go with Speed, or possibly Sausages), never mind a new all-powerful Ultra-Violet part of the Ring Spectrum.
It’s all just a bit much. Some are more successful than others, and of course you need to present “credible” threats, but yeah, it’s all a bit much, and is leaving Doomsday Clock and Mr Oz lost and forgotten.
However, in amongst this, Tom King is writing the most understated, stylish comic of a generation. This is the guy who made Kite Man credible again, remember? No wonder the issue starts with him, at Finger Tower, no less, a conceit that happily continues.
Structurally, the issue is shot through with artist splash pages. It’s impossible to pick one as they are all so impressive. Actually that’s a lie – Rafael Alberquerque’s wins out for me, because there’s a touch of whimsy there too, but Tim Sale’s page comes a very close second.
The writing is deceptively simple, skirts the edge of contrived, and genuinely brought tears to my eyes – and no, I’m not referring to the ending. No spoilers here.
Besides, you know how this ends. Even without a web of spoilers. Even without me telling you.
But like every truly great, truly timeless story, it’s not about the ending. It’s about the journey, and the writer’s craft that bears us along.
Now go buy the book. No excuses, just do it. Because it’s beautiful and brilliant, and above all, it’s Batman.
Rating: 5/5.
[PREVIEW ARTWORK]
The Writer of this piece was: Sam Graven
Article Archive: Geeking Out
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Sam, just read this review I’m reading it post reading the issue. Really you weren’t even the least bit disappointed with the ending? I mean I’m not naive enough to believe they wouldn’t have thrown some curveball at us that derailed the wedding in one way or another. But then again with all the buildup and tie-ins I really thought it was going to happen I drove out of my way Wednesday to go pick it up at my shop got home and read it and felt like Ralphie from a Christmas Story when he did get his Red Ryder BB gun. With all the hype I was disappointed with DC. They seem to be working every angle to suck people in then let them down. Same with the Mew Age of Heroes great writers, fantastic artists but most of the artists have left the series already and most of them aren’t even through a story arc. I love what Tom King is doing with Batman don’t get me wrong but this to me was a disappointing blow.
Lol 5/5 … Your mind was made up before the NYT article even dropped huh?
Our mind was made up after we read the comic, like every review we write :)
“This is the guy who made Kite Man credible again” Please tell me how a one-line joke who gets punched out everytime he shows up is credible????? You are a Tom King fanboy hack!!!