Comic Review: Batman (2016-) #73

Batman (2016-) #73

DC Comics

Writer: Tom King

Artist: Mikel Janin

Bane is breaking Batman. Revealing it all in the previous issue, Bane is behind everything that’s happened to Batman since this run started in 2016. Catwoman bailing out on the wedding? Bane. Gotham Girl going crazy? Bane. The plane crashing into Gotham in the very first issue? Bane. That time Batman was on a date and bit his tongue and overreacted and looked kind of silly? Bane.

The plot to Batman #73 is pretty straightforward. Thomas Wayne, Batman from the Flashpoint universe, is dragging Bruce Wayne across the desert. Along with them is a box, contents unknown for most of the issue. On the way, Thomas defends himself and Bruce from multiple attacks by “The Death in the Desert”.

Tom King is one of the better writers working today. He’s certainly one of my favorites, and if his name is on a book, I’ll be reading it. With that, I’m not too sure about this issue. It has more to do with where we’re at by the end of it, so I won’t spoil it. But, I just don’t see Batman going with what’s happening. Bane broke the bat, I get it. It also doesn’t help that his literal Father is pushing him in this direction, even if it’s an alternate universe version. We’re not at the end of the story though, not even for this story arc. I’ll stay cautious, but optimistic about it.

However anybody might feel about the story, they can’t complain about the art in this issue. Mikel Janin is just fantastic. The art throughout the book is, I’d say “simple” but not in a bad way. The story is about two men trekking through the desert with a horse. The backgrounds are clean and empty (as they should be) compared to a city like Gotham. It fits the story since it’s also a pretty straightforward “we’re walking through the desert to get to this place”. On top of that, the colors by Jordie Bellaire just add a lot to everything. I live in the desert, though not as extreme as the one in this story. The only reason I say that is because the colors they use for the different times of the day are accurate.

I like Tom King, and I like his Batman run. Recently, I re-read all of it, and I still enjoy it as much as I did the first time around. By the end of this issue though, I might be a bit iffy. If only about the motivations behind why Batman is doing what he’s doing. But I have faith it’ll make sense in the next couple of issues. Or at least provide a good shock value and throw the character in an entirely new direction. I don’t think this is a bad issue, far from it. I just don’t know if Batman is acting in a way Batman would. It’s just something I think we’ll have to wait and see. But, either way, this issue has some really gorgeous art.