Comic Review: The Batman Who Laughs #3

The Batman Who Laughs #3

DC Comics

Writer: Scott Snyder

Artist: Jock

This is the issue where things really start to pick up. The Batman Who Laughs is destroying Gotham’s pipelines, the Grim Knight and Batman go face to face, and James Gordon Jr. is finally back. This issue is Snyder and Jock kicking it into high gear.

So I suppose I should start off by talking about the return of fan-favorite James Gordon Jr. He is one of my absolute favorite parts of Black Mirror, so it’s great to see him return in this spiritual successor to the book. Snyder takes James Jr. in an interesting new direction. Through a trial phase from Wayne Enterprises, James is receiving medicine that is helping with his sociopathic tendencies; but of course, with James Jr. you never know if it’s all an act.

The Grim Knight also goes head to head with Batman in this issue. There’s a great exchange between the two where Grim Knight mentions his city has no supervillains. Batman gives him a sick burn saying, “it also doesn’t have a Batman.” The Grim Knight is a really great concept and I like the idea that Gotham City is his Batcave. This is a Bruce that knows everything about his city, making him all the more deadly, and our Bruce plays on his hubris to get a few shots in. I enjoy that these characters are finally acknowledging that they are both Bruce Wayne.

There’s also another great scene in the Batman Who Laughs in the Iceberg Lounge. I just love everything about this scene. I mentioned earlier that the Batman Who Laughs is a great idea, but with so few memorable moments. However, this scene is one that is really worth remembering. This scene reminds us that the Batman Who Laughs is still Batman. He’s as good a tactician as ever (just with a little more flair).

My only complaint about the issue is the ending. Similar to the cliffhanger from issue 1, I know this isn’t going to go anywhere. By the end of the next issue (or maybe even in the first few pages), everything will be back to the status quo. I really find this whole Batman turning into the Joker plotline really boring.

Overall, this was a fantastic issue. I liked the previous two issues of the book, but I really love this one. The detective and horror aspects are still here. If you’re wondering what Black Mirror would look like with Bruce Wayne instead of Dick Grayson, I recommend you check this one out.