I Think I'm Going Bats: BATMAN #54-57 Reviewed

EDITOR’S NOTE: I decided to revive a heading I used when writing about Batman on the old BC Refugees blog. If I existed in a strange universe where my comics reading was restricted and I could only read one DC title - - it would have to be a Batman book. I read more Batman titles than I write about, and I’m going to change that beginning with this first BATS review. Footnote: For those of you wondering about that restricted universe and what one Marvel title I would read — it’s Daredevil.

Tom King continues to explore the shattered and troubled psyche of Bruce Wayne/Batman in subtle ways while telling engaging stories with enough action to keep us pacified.

BATMAN #54 (DC Comics, early November 2018 - I really prefer when DC used to put the actual month of release on the cover - bring that back!) “The Better Man” Tom King writer. Matt Wagner artist. Tomeu Morey colorist. Clayton Cowles letterer.

After being left waiting at the altar Bruce is in a funk and doesn’t want to acknowledge that he’s depressed. Dick Grayson/Nightwing has been filling in for him as Batman, and tries his best to lift Bruce/Bat’s spirits and be there to help him get over the hump. Dick makes silly jokes and puns and finally gets Bruce to laugh, until he remembers that’s he’s sad and covers up, putting the serious face back on.

There are tender and touching moments throughout the issue as current events are interspersed with flashbacks to Dick’s losing his parents and how Bruce was there to help him adjust to the changes. Batman and Nightwing mix it up with some crazy fourth-rate villains in Crazy Quilt and Condiment Man. Matt Wagner’s art is a nice change of pace, and he brings a semi-pulp look to Batman’s profile.

It’s not an essential issue in the Batman canon but it sure was fun to read. WORTH YOUR CONSIDERATION.

BATMAN #55 - 57 (DC Comics, November through December 2018 - No, I don’t have a gateway into the future. It’s just silly comics marketing practices.) “Beasts Of Burden, Parts 1-3” Tom King writer. Tony S. Daniel pencils. Tony S. Daniel & Danny Miki inks. Tomeu Morey colors. Clayton Cowles letters.

RECOMMENDED if you’re a fan of Tony Daniel’s art, which I am. He really gets to showcase his dramatic style in the numerous fight scenes in this story arc. WORTH YOUR CONSIDERATION if you’re not as excited by Daniels as some of us are, but just want to read a good complete story without buying a stack of comics.

ISSUE #55: Batman and Nightwing are making the nightly rounds as a thuggish looking Russian clears customs and checks into Gotham. There’s a running joke about the Gotham Knights football team and it’s floundering quarterback. The thug is the KGBeast, a seldom used foe of Batman, who’s given a fresh look here thanks to some insights into his character courtesy of Tom King.

King throws in yet another new fourth-rate villain, the Phantom Pharaoh, this time to provide a short fight, a cool cover image, and an opportunity for Nightwing to make lots of bad puns to try and loosen up the grim Batman. There’s a little foreshadowing of upcoming issues when Jim Gordon summons the Bat team to reveal that Joker and Riddler may no longer be in Arkham. KGBeast is here to assassinate a primary target with his sniper rifle, and we learn who it is in the concluding pages.

ISSUE #56: Very cool gold foil effect on the standard cover. The art gets even better in this issue, as the illustration team gets used to one another. Anatoli Knyazev/KGBeast pays a visit to his estranged father, apparently now back in Russia after his hit. (I’m not going to reveal who the target was. He’s still got his own title to worry about.)
Yes, he’s in Russia and Batman (after some detective work and a couple fights) has tracked him down to his father’s cabin in cold Siberia. The father and son relationship comes to a head as the issue ends with Batman approaching the cabin door.

ISSUE #57: The hellacious fight between Batman and KGBeast is interspersed with the re-telling of an old fable with a moral at the end of course and a surprise twist. Batman’s the victor, just saying in case you were nervous about it. Daniels really excels in the battle scenes with big bold colorful panels. Satisfying. Ends in a mystery, as we don’t know if KGBeast as well as his target will survive.