Ever since the incredible issue 5 a couple of months back, Batman has gone from strength to strength. I think I actually enjoyed this issue more than I did the previous ones, mainly because this was the one where you could feel all the groundwork that Snyder and Capullo have done in establishing the Court of Owls finally begin to pay off, kicking the whole arc into high gear with a final page that was one of the most exciting cliffhangers in recent memory.
Snyder has really taken his time setting this issue’s events up, and this issue he ratchets up the tension one more notch to a point where everything just has to explode- there are revelations about Dick Grayson’s background that will hit long term Nightwing fans like a sucker punch, and which set Dick and his mentor immediately at odds; there’s a wounded and almost broken Batman, recoiling in fear at the sight of one of the Court’s sinister Talons; there’s the menacing, slow-burning tone of the Court’s voice-over. So much to enjoy, so much thrilling atmosphere to soak in. And that’s without even mentioning Capullo’s wonderful art. Every panel on every page is a joy to behold- the splash pages are striking and totally justify the space they take up, but even the smaller panels are so filled with detail and beautifully drawn that it beggars belief. I don’t see any other penciller out there right now who can compete with this level of quality, much less do so consistently on a monthly schedule. Capullo is making a lot of other artists look bad here, and the work he is putting in deserves all the praise it has been getting and more.
Let’s just hope that DC can keep this powerhouse creative team on board for a long, long time.
What’s that? Next issue we get the start of the backup strip with art by Rafael Albequerque? My God, I thought this book couldn’t get any better!