[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers.]
Writer: Tom King
Pencils: Mikel Janín
Inks: Mikel Janín, Hugo Petrus
Colorist: June Chung
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Summary
Batman has successfully infiltrated the most dangerous prison on the planet: Santa Prisca! On a mission to recover the Psycho Pirate, Batman is not alone. He has his own Suicide Squad! The Ventriloquist, Catwoman, Punch and Jewlee, and Bronze Tiger are Batman’s closest allies right now, but one will betray him! And once the betrayal starts will Batman make it out of Santa Prisca?
Positives
I love the direction King is going with this story line right now. From the first issue to this recent one each book has been a standout issue and can’t wait to see the encounter between Batman and Bane. Although they’ve faced off in a previous issue, Batman’s loss there was all apart of his larger overall plan of getting the Suicide Squad onto Bane’s island unseen, and it worked. What this issue does is gives us insight into Batman’s overall plan. King represents well what a clear strategist Batman is, however I don’t think even Batman even took into account the betrayal by this one particular character. I have to admit I didn’t see it coming at all, and I’m eager to see exactly how does Batman respond to it.
Negatives
I really have no complaints about the issue besides wondering exactly what Wesker, aka The Ventriloquist (Editor’s note: Ventriloquist’s name is spelled “Weskler” in this issue. Not sure if it was on purpose or an editing mistake.), is doing apart of the Suicide Squad. Any real comic fan knows the Wesker’s alter ego, or his “boss,” is really Scarface, but seeing that this a mission that involves quiet infiltration I was confused as to his purpose and I still am. Batman makes it quite clear to Catwoman to “guard Wesker with your life because if he dies, we all die,” and I’m wondering just what makes Wesker so crucial to the team? Towards the end of the book, once the betrayal has been made Wesker’s purpose is still not revealed. But I’m thinking that Batman has a contingency to his original plan and maybe Wesker somehow is a part of that. Just trying to figure it all out is enjoyment in itself and it’s rare that you will find yourself questioning a character’s motives or their true plan after reading, but here King actually makes you do that and it’s awesome.
Verdict
Batman #11 is a great read and can stand on its own as a single book with a good story. I actually found myself however reading the previous issue again because I enjoyed Batman’s infiltration into the prison which by itself is full of action, and of course that’s before the encounter with Bane. I think we will find out Wesker’s true purpose of being on Batman’s Suicide Squad in the next issue and with that I think we will finally have the rematch of Batman vs. Bane! That’s something I’m definitely looking forward to!
