Batman #51

By Hervé St-Louis
July 19, 2018 - 10:02

Batman stops Mr. Cold and forces him to admit that he murdered three women. Bruce Wayne is then recruited as a juror for Mr. Cold's trial. Will Bruce Wayne, after listening to all evidence still be fair in his evaluation of Cold's culpability?

I am once again impressed with Tom King's Batman. I am still annoyed that the spoiler forced Tom King to reveal that he was crafting a 100-issue arc for Batman. I wish that I did not know about this as I never imagined how he could even improve on last issues' failed wedding story. But he has but now, I second-guess everything. Perhaps that's what Bruce Wayne is going through in this story as he is angry at himself.

I am surprised that in the 79 years since Batman's creation that no story focused so extensively on a villain's trial. I cannot recall any story save for one in Christopher Priest's Justice League where the legality of Batman contributing evidence for a criminal investigation being challenged in court. By now, it should be a natural occurrence.

Of course, I cannot discuss this issue without mentioning the scene with Nightwing taking over the role of Batman and being recognized immediately by Commissioner Gordon as the other Batman. It was a wonderful scene although Commissioner Gordon should at least know that it's Nightwing underneath the mask.

Lee Weeks is back drawing a Batman series. He is for me the classic pulp and Daredevil illustrator. Of course, his style fits nicely with Batman. I enjoy how different his panel layouts are compared to other artists who have worked with Tom King. You can tell that Weeks is a master storyteller and much more experienced than the others (who are no amateurs). His interpretation of the visual storytelling is pulpy and classic, while capturing all the nuances of king's script.

Rating: 10 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12

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