“Batman” #44 (9 out of 10) Written by Scott Snyder (“The Wake”, “American Vampire”); Art & Cover by Jock (“Wytches”, “Arrow: Year One”); Colored by Lee Loughridge (“Deadly Class”, “Wolf Moon”); Published by DC Comics; Publication Date: September 9, 2015
Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s contemporary run on “Batman” is widely viewed as a modern classic. The art and story feel right at home with Batman fans while at the same time being new and fresh and everything DC meant for their “New 52” reboot. With 44 issues under the latest run there have been times where a guest artist has taken over for the title’s primary art talent. The idea is to give the artists some time to get ahead so that the title will continue to release monthly and on time. The fill-in artists of the past have been strong but I feel they’ll never quite get the footing and tempo that Scott Snyder and Jock share. Jock was the artist for Snyder’s first go at The Batman prior to the “New 52” reboot on “Detective Comics” for the critical darling “Black Mirror” series. If you haven’t read it, do yourself a favor and pick it up. After reading through it you’ll understand why I couldn’t possibly pick any book over “Batman” #44 for “Best Comic This Week”.
The issue is your usual fill-in fair with a side story that detours only slightly. The bases for the story is a journey into The Batman’s past to solve a mystery. In this case we’re introduced to The Batman’s first experience with Mr. Bloom. Mr. Bloom is the primary antagonist in the main storyline and his nefarious plans have yet to be revealed. What we do know is revealed again in this issue and that is that Mr. Bloom creates synthetic powers and gives them to desperate people in the form of a pill embossed with a flower. The Batman traces the final hours of a young murder victim.
He starts with The Penguin and works his way through The Narrows of Gotham. The journey is revelatory as this story happens post Zero-year. Batman is still fresh and although he is competent, he is certainly not yet at his best. The Batman deals with Police on civilian violence, the results of his alter ego Bruce Wayne’s philanthropy and the Man Bat virus as he works to solve a murder and keep Gotham safe.
The two artists are at the top of their game’s
Jock’s erratic pencils and action oriented inks are enhanced by Lee Loughridge’s brilliant tone setting colors. The two artists are at the top of their game’s making villains unique but familiar but creating a Batman that feels “lived in” and somehow darker than the regular artists Greg Capullo and Danny Miki’s version. That’s not to say either version is better but some fans will prefer one style to another. In my opinion it’s refreshing to see Jock’s art and Snyder’s writing together again in a Batman book. I love both Jock, Capullo, Loughridge, Miki & Plascencia but this issue staring Jock and Loughridge was a delight I wasn’t planning on – and in a book from the big two, pleasant surprises are always appreciated.
TL;DR Scott Snyder works with all-stars Jock and Lee Loughridge as they take on the roll of fill-in artist for The Batman’s first meeting with Mr. Bloom.
Image: DC Comics