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A review by clarks_dad
Batman: The Night of the Owls by Kyle Higgins, Jimmy Palmiotti, Eddy Barrows, Patrick Gleason, Scott Snyder, Peter J. Tomasi, Tony S. Daniel, J.H. Williams III, Scott Lobdell, Justin Gray, Duane Swierczynski, Judd Winick, David Finch
3.0
Night of the Owls consists of Batfamily tie-ins to the greater Court of Owls storyline being weaved in the main Batman comic line run by Scott Snyder, which has been fantastic. This volume’s purpose is mainly to show just how widespread Talon activity is during the Night of Owls and pretty effectively draws this rebooted Batfamily back together again, explaining and redefining relationships among the resuited Dick Grayson who has returned as Nightwing in the New 52 universe, Tim Drake (now known as Red Robin after striking it out on his own), Damian Wayne (the new Robin), Catwoman, Barbara Gordon (returning as Batgirl after a miraculous recovery from the damage Joker did to her spine), and the Red Hood (former Robin Jason Todd). It’s all a bit odd to be honest. Old bits of storyline have been kept in this continuity rather than just retconned or avoided entirely and it makes it kind of difficult for people who were following the Bat storyline sequentially to get their bearings, but if you can just quiet that nagging voice in your mind demanding order and rationality, it’s enjoyable enough.
Ultimately, this volume doesn’t really do that much to heighten the intensity of the Owls storyline. It’s individual issues are hit and miss in terms of quality and usually end up rather repetitive. A Talon is introduced and we see their historical roots, they stalk a member of the family and the family succeeds in putting them down and gaining a “legitimate” (at least in the eyes of the reader, and in some cases the disapproving eyes of Bruce) place in the new pantheon of Bat heroes. The only one of value were the Nightwing stories as his character is intimately tied to the Owls, but even that is explained in the main title sequence.
If you’re just looking for the core story of the Owls, which is pretty good for the most part, stick to Snyder’s main narration in the main Batman title. The tie-ins aren’t necessary and you’ll get references to the significant events of this collection in the main story.
Ultimately, this volume doesn’t really do that much to heighten the intensity of the Owls storyline. It’s individual issues are hit and miss in terms of quality and usually end up rather repetitive. A Talon is introduced and we see their historical roots, they stalk a member of the family and the family succeeds in putting them down and gaining a “legitimate” (at least in the eyes of the reader, and in some cases the disapproving eyes of Bruce) place in the new pantheon of Bat heroes. The only one of value were the Nightwing stories as his character is intimately tied to the Owls, but even that is explained in the main title sequence.
If you’re just looking for the core story of the Owls, which is pretty good for the most part, stick to Snyder’s main narration in the main Batman title. The tie-ins aren’t necessary and you’ll get references to the significant events of this collection in the main story.