What can you say about Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman run that hasn't already been said? It's just utterly fantastic! The "Court of Owls" arch has been thrilling since the first page of issue 1. The pacing throughout each issue has just been beautiful, and the mystery behind it all had at least one twist that no one saw coming. Still though, I was nervous turning the first page of this comic. The only thing that can kill a great storyline is a crappy ending. After his "Dark Mirror" run on Detective Comics, I should have known to trust Snyder. Nothing here disappoints. Nothing! While the issue is mostly a fight scene, it has a powerful emotional undercurrent, and feels genuinely meaningful. There are real stakes here, and seeing it play out will have you consistently on edge. The talons, the court, and Thomas Wayne Jr. should go down in Batman history as classic villains. Snyder has truly earned a place for his characters in Batman lore. The only downside to this breakneck pacing is that you might be tempted to skim quickly through the panels, and that would be a crime considering how incredible and detailed Capullo's art is. This guy is so damn good, and it's at least halfway because of him that the conflict here has so much impact. If I had any disappointment regarding this issue at all, it was just that Snyder took the easy way out with the big question. Is this guy really Batman's brother? The answer: maybe. Ugh. It would have been a ballsy move introducing a villain so deeply entwined in Batman's family history, but not giving us a definitive answer almost feels like Snyder chickening out. I can't hold that against it too much though, this book is about as perfect as they come. BUY THIS!