A review by michaelchurch
Batman Vol. 2: The City of Owls (the New 52) by Scott Snyder

3.0

I was really underwhelmed by this volume. It was the payoff of the first volume's buildup and the climax of the Court of the Owls storyline. I just don't like these villains. More than that, this whole scenario is so unbelievable. After what Bruce went through in Volume 1, even though he's Batman, I just can't believe that he's able to do everything that happens in this one night. Add to that contrived and repeated plot devices, and you just wind up with something not that great.

Then there's the characters themselves. You see almost no one other than Batman and he just comes off as a jerk. Yeah he's protective and whatnot, but just harsh. He's not likable, even in the typical Batman manner. The villains are bland and undeveloped. The supporting cast is absent and unimpressive. I just really didn't find anything that drew me in. I was surprised in the last volume how it was able to turn around and actually pull me in, and was hoping to have something similar this time.

The one thing that didn't fall short was the art. This stuff is gorgeous. Unfortunately, there were multiple artists that had varying styles and levels of talent. Overall, though, it was a gorgeous book.

The next volume is Death of the Family. I gotta read that one, but it might be Batman's last chance to really win me over.