Chip Zdarsky’s final Batman story began in the last issue. The mayor has been murdered, a new superhero has appeared in Gotham, and the Riddler is up to something. Batman #154 begins with Jim Gordon and Batman trying to figure out who killed the Mayor while the Commissioner is Vandal Savage. Things are complicated in Gotham. Reading Batman #154 is more complicated than ever.
Batman #154 begins at the crime scene of the Mayor’s death. While Jim and Batman wait outside, Harvey Bullock returns to the scene and continues his work. With Batman vowing to get to the bottom of the murders, the case leans closer to the detective than ever before. Expect some connections to the Court of Owls and a cliffhanger.
The issue also reveals a new threat to Bruce, as someone claims Thomas Wayne is his father. Between this, the public’s anxiety about Bruce, and the cliffhanger, it’s starting to look like Zdarsky is building up a loose plot that he never quite got to. It’s a lot, but it works because the script is well-paced and keeps you guessing. When Batman confronts the Riddler, the pacing just feels a little hampered by the villain being spared.
It’s interesting to see Jim and Batman waiting.
Credit: DC Comics
Artist Carmine Di Giandomenico does a great job on the art side, making Batman look otherworldly in the suit. The shot of Batman standing next to the Batmobile is a scene stealer and a great scene where Bruce understands the protesters. When Batman confronts the Riddler, there is some great fight choreography between Batman and the police.
All these scenes stand out thanks to Tomeu Morey’s colors. The Batman and Batmobile panels are next level, from the illumination of the headlights to the smoke and city lights behind them.
Aside from the Riddler not appearing much, there is also an element of new red, white, and blue “heroes” appearing. He remains a great mystery, and very little is known about him. Zdarsky keenly captures the current political climate surrounding this character and the mob — at one point, for example, he calls Bruce a “villain” — but there’s too little to say beyond that. Between this new hero, Vandal Savage, the Court of Owls, and the Riddler, it’s hard to know which enemy is the main one. That may be important considering the mystery of who killed the mayor.
Batman #154 packs a lot of story into a fast-paced issue. With various threats to Bruce and Batman closing in on the mystery of who killed the mayor, Zdarsky’s final chapter feels a little too packed. Still, it’s never boring.
Batman #154 packs a lot into one issue
Batman #154
Batman #154 packs a lot of story into a fast-paced issue. With various threats to Bruce and Batman closing in on the mystery of who killed the Mayor, Zdarsky’s final chapter feels a little too packed. Still, it’s never boring.
Some satisfying details revealed in the mystery of the mayor’s death
Carmine Di Giandomenico and Morley bring mood and atmosphere to Batman
not boring
