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The Black Mask makes a play for Batman. With wealth beyond his wildest dreams in reach, Bruce Wayne makes a choice. Are we really watching Batman sell out to crime?!
The N.I. Bullpen has this series covered! Matt (Hops Geek News/N.I. Editor) and Ken (ODPH podcast/N.I. editor In Chief) are breaking down the latest from the hit DC Comics series!
Absolute Batman #5:
Scott Snyder (WRITER) Nick Dragotta (ARTIST) Frank Martin (COLORIST) Clayton Cowles (LETTERS)
The Story:
Matt: I don’t think I have ever really seen Batman lose before, outside of a few comics and a movie. Scott (Snyder) has managed to make the ending of this issue the DC version of The Empire Strikes Back. He does a wonderful job showing Batman’s brutality and also his smarts. In a blink of an eye he pulls the rug out from beneath of us. This issue truly left me shocked in a way that a comic has not left me shocked in quite some time.
Black Mask is not my first choice of a powerful villain. That said, he comes out looking stronger than anything we have seen before. The hopeless feeling and preying on society and their pent-up aggression towards being held down by bills and money was genius. This issue truly blew me away. Lastly, the rift between Alfred and Bruce at the end furthers my statement as to the empty feeling left as this issue ends. The story-telling is top level.
READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW!
KEN: One thing is certain for this series: Expect the Unexpected. Snyder continues to redefine the Bat-Verse mythos. In this latest chapter, Batman meets to finalize his deal. The mood never ceases to raise tension. With Alfred’s narration in swing, Batman demonstrates his boldness. The method in which he maneuvers seems all too familiar. Its’ outcome is a fresh take which spirals out of control.
A declaration leads into a massive altercation. Snyder locks readers in as Batman takes the offensive. The result proves the inexperience of a young vigilante. Black Mask is written as an unhinged psychopath pulling all strings. There are no punches pulled. Violence takes over until the final act unfolds. Once here, Wayne’s best plans prove fallible. The outcome steers the story into a dangerous direction. It plays off the counter of Batman’s goals. The results appear that finding hope in Gotham may prove too deadly to chase.
The Art and Letters:
Matt: Nick (Dragotta) manages to make Batman look as big as a building. They were not lying when they said bigger and bigger is how this version gets. When we get up angled shots against the city, Nick has Bruce standing taller and making him look larger than life. However, when Bruce is down and defeated, the shots change to have Roman almost appear to be towering over him. These shots are hard to pull off but, Nick excels.
Helping with the shots and making this book brutal, Frank (Martin) leans into the bloody, brutal fight style that Bruce has adopted. The spikes tearing through the flesh from his cape, the hooks digging into his arms, the lighting of the bat signal- it all is colored in such a graphic manner. When it comes to the letters, Clayton (Cowles) showcases Bruce’s exasperated tone as he struggles to escape and the wavering tone in the cop’s voices. This ties together the issue splendidly.
KEN: Dragotta returns after an issue hiatus. The ever-building danger is established early. Readers can see this on Alfred’s face (literally). It is a small panel but reflects so much. This is blended with the strong flashback images. There is no escaping what is coming next. A full page image of Batman ready to attack speaks volumes.
The violence comes right to the forefront. This panels leave nothing held back. Readers watch as the unforgiving action never slows down. It is a side of Bruce Wayne that is vastly different. The same can be said for Black Mask. With Cowles’ lettering on display, the overwhelming sense of pain floods panels. It leads into a steady start to the closing pages. The emotions of both Batman and Alfred carry weight to how dire things became. Once the final page hits, it is clear that the danger in Gotham has only just begun.
OVERALL GRADE: 9.8
Matt: Grade 10/10! Absolute Batman #5 is the Empire Strikes Back of DC’s All-In series so far. Bruce is broken, beaten, and alone as this issue ends on a massive cliffhanger. I’m truly left in awe of what the team has done in this issue.
KEN: GRADE: 9.6/10. The early confrontation between Batman and Black Mask hurdles into a ferocious arc conclusion. Snyder’s writing injects many twists into the evolving adventure. Dragotta, Martin and Cowles unleash devastating visuals as the violence takes hold. The new era of Batman never ceases to impress in its’ absolute vision.
