It’s Mayor Isley Vs. Vandal Savage, and Gotham City is the ring! Ivy has made a deal with the Parliament of Trees in exchange for her safety, but, what does that mean for the citizens of Gotham who elected her? It’s up to Batman, Batwoman, Nightwing, and more to save the city before it’s too late!
Creative Team: Matt Fraction, G. Willow Wilson, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cliff Rathburn, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles.
The Story:
This is a massive 10-week event that is promising to consume the entire DC Universe! I love how Fraction and Wilson have reminded us just how powerful Ivy can be and how she is one of the strongest in the entire universe at that. This is a crossover that will include a vast amount of characters and comics over the next ten weeks, and this issue brings them into the mess before we spend time in their individual issues. Batman has his team all hands on deck, and there are even a few surprises at that. Croc makes an appearance, and Batman and he have an interaction that is both surprising and tugs at the heartstrings ever so slightly. What sticks out to me the most is Ivy may not totally be in the wrong with her team-up with the Parliament of Trees, and it’s against Savage at that. Fair warning: you will need to read a vast majority of books if you wish to keep up, which the team fills you in on at the end!
The Art:
The artwork is gorgeous throughout this issue. I love how windy and crafty the team gets as the various plant life takes over the streets of Gotham. There are some horror-esque moments as well, as bodies are consumed and left in a decaying state, showing the true power of Earth. We are treated to Ivy transforming over time in the story as well, as she starts as Mayor, but the team slowly transitions her into her true form and a familiar sight. From an artistic standpoint, this issue has it all, and I love the spacing and how the team allows the art to tell bits of the story at the same time.
Final Thoughts:
The big 10-week event is here, and this issue is stellar! The art is nothing short of amazing, and Wilson and Fraction paint a horrifyingly grim outlook for Gotham and its heroes. However, spreading this event out over 13 different runs is bold, and I can’t say I personally like the choice. However, I do think people should take a chance and pick up these issues for the crossover, and I will certainly as well.
Overall Grade: 9.3/10
Let us know how you enjoyed this issue, and be sure to check out more reviews by Matt!
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