Expectations. In jobs or in life, once you’ve displayed any kind of talent or initiative, you are forever doomed to top yourself. You’ve “set the bar,” and now even just maintaining the status quo is considered a complete failure. All the while, others are welcome to continue slapping together the same half-assed crap they’re known for… because it’s expected of them.

Snyder and Capullo have set some high standards for themselves. And, so far, I must say that ‘Zero Year’ hasn’t been as engaging (or attractive) as the first handful of issues for their ‘Owls’ and ‘Family’ arcs.

It could be that the central dynamic comes off as pretty standard: A strong villain is introduced, and Bruce is pushed to his emotional/psychological/physical limit and must figure out a way to step up to the plate. The “Zero Year” elements seem a bit like superficial dressing that’s applied to the core of our customary Bat-man stories. Bruce’s becoming-Batman moment, here, seems like just another “step up to the plate” after a bad beating, rather than the result of a fundamental, epic odyssey of self-realization,

It would have been nice to be presented with a fresh dynamic. A central focus on Bruce himself–like we’re getting in small doses in the fantastic backups–would have been a refreshing change from what we already know these guys can do so well.

But we’re only a quarter of the way in, and if the worst Snyder and Capullo can do is not always top themselves, that says a lot for the standards they set for themselves and for others. I’ll buy anything these guys do.