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monitaroymohan 's review for:
Batman Vol. 4: The War of Jokes and Riddles
by Tom King
Well finally! A Batman volume this series worth reading. We finally get a feeling of just what makes Tom King great - his stories, his insights, his eerie understanding of psychology. This is probably why he just won the Eisner for this series, not for the trollop we had to put up with these past issues, but the intense tension that he builds and creates in this volume.
Two nemeses of Batman decide to go up against each other in an effort to kill the big, black Bat. But, as is the case with all villains in Gotham, many an innocent must die for these bad guys to triumph. But Batman and Commissioner Gordon cannot let evil reign, so they do everything in their power to stop this madness. Will they go mad in their stead?
The volume is a bit confusing at first, but as King eases into the story you understand the method to the madness. Undoubtedly, my favorite part was the Kite Man subplot - this is comics as its finest. The pathos, the silent, heart wrenching grief in each and every panel; I can not recommend this enough. It was such a beautiful read.
My only criticism would be, we have already met Kite Man in this series, so his origin story in the middle of it makes the timelines confusing. Also, Batman’s story arc is about personal turmoil, which is pretty selfish. Scores of people have been brutally killed or injured because of this war, yet Batman is too busy with his own conscience to mourn them. I feel like, as plot heavy as this is, we should have allowed Batman and Gordon to mourn the loss of innocent Gothamites. Instead, Gordon just brushes it off - that’s unthinking of them. It makes it seem like these good guys are too busy using people as bait.
Also, the inclusion of Catwoman as little more than Batman’s love interest and confidante is doing her a great disservice. We can see why Batman wants to be with her, but what is her angle? I’d like to get to know her more in this Rebirth series, other than as just catburgler and Batman’s love.
Having said all that, it’s just such a relief to see King back at his A-game with this volume. I’m hoping the rest is of the same standard.
Two nemeses of Batman decide to go up against each other in an effort to kill the big, black Bat. But, as is the case with all villains in Gotham, many an innocent must die for these bad guys to triumph. But Batman and Commissioner Gordon cannot let evil reign, so they do everything in their power to stop this madness. Will they go mad in their stead?
The volume is a bit confusing at first, but as King eases into the story you understand the method to the madness. Undoubtedly, my favorite part was the Kite Man subplot - this is comics as its finest. The pathos, the silent, heart wrenching grief in each and every panel; I can not recommend this enough. It was such a beautiful read.
My only criticism would be, we have already met Kite Man in this series, so his origin story in the middle of it makes the timelines confusing. Also, Batman’s story arc is about personal turmoil, which is pretty selfish. Scores of people have been brutally killed or injured because of this war, yet Batman is too busy with his own conscience to mourn them. I feel like, as plot heavy as this is, we should have allowed Batman and Gordon to mourn the loss of innocent Gothamites. Instead, Gordon just brushes it off - that’s unthinking of them. It makes it seem like these good guys are too busy using people as bait.
Also, the inclusion of Catwoman as little more than Batman’s love interest and confidante is doing her a great disservice. We can see why Batman wants to be with her, but what is her angle? I’d like to get to know her more in this Rebirth series, other than as just catburgler and Batman’s love.
Having said all that, it’s just such a relief to see King back at his A-game with this volume. I’m hoping the rest is of the same standard.