BATMAN: THE COURT OF OWLS by Greg Cox. (Titan Books UK, November 2018) Hardcover, 336 pages. ISBN: 9781785658167
Summary from the Goodreads website . . . . .
An original novel pitting Batman against the Court of Owls, a secret society of wealthy families that's controlled Gotham for centuries using murder and money.
Beware the Court of Owls, that watches all the time
Ruling Gotham from a shadowed perch, behind granite and lime
They watch you at your hearth, they watch you in your bed
Speak not a whispered word about them, or they'll send the Talon for your head.
--a nursery rhyme
The Court of Owls is a criminal secret society that has existed in Gotham City since the 1600s, led by some of the city's wealthiest and most influential families. They employ deadly trained assassins known as Talons, taken as children from circuses such as the one where Dick Grayson's parents were killed. These children are trained to become the assassins known as Talons. Bruce Wayne came to the Court's attention when he announced plans to reinvigorate Gotham, threatening their control. They sentenced him to death, bringing themselves to the attention of Batman. Though they suffer defeats, the Court continues to fight to retake control of the city's underworld - a fight that has gone on for centuries.
Copyright (c) 2017 DC Comics. BATMAN, THE COURT OF OWLS, and all related characters and elements (c) & TM DC Comics and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
My review on the Goodreads website . . . . .
I was glad to see that this was an original novel rather than a text adaptation of the DC Comics Court Of Owls storyline. That's not meant to demean the abilities of Greg Cox to write a compelling novel adaptation of film, television or comics properties. He's a master of the format and brings those skills to the front in this brand new story which serves as a sequel to the comic story arc.
It's because the story here is just as interesting and engaging as the Scott Snyder comic, and adds some additional layers to the mythos. There's a new connection to a intriguing Gotham artist/scientist from 1918+ whose invention is being utilized in the worst way by the Court of Owls and the Talons. They are looking desperately for the improved formula that was hidden away by the inventor.
Along with the action involving Batman, Nightwing and Batgirl/Oracle to rescue the young art history college student from the Talons' clutches, there's a fascinating backstory on the relationship between artist/chemist Percy Wright and Lydia Doyle, the model/muse he featured prominently in artworks and statuary throughout Gotham.
Through flashbacks interspersed throughout the novel, readers are able to unravel the clues and connect the dots before Batman and his investigative team can do so. It's a cleverly constructed mystery which helps maintain the suspense and excitement.
The descriptions of the various battles are perfectly detailed. I can visualize the fights blow by blow. This novel could easily serve as script for a comics adaptation, or be used as a template for storyboards for a film version.
This one exceeded my expectations. Well done.
No comments:
Post a Comment