Review: Absolute Batman #17 – “The Seventh Kingdom: Part One”
[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers!]
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Eric Canete
Colorist: Frank Martin
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Reviewed by: Steven Brown
Summary
Absolute Batman #17: While Bruce takes steps to try and fix his personal issues with his friends, Pamela Isley has made her way to Gotham City. Located within a giant forest in the heart of Gotham, Poison Ivy has turned the police into a literal foliage of horrors.
Positives
Absolute Batman #17 introduces you to the tragic backstory of Dr. Pamela Isley, better known as Poison Ivy. Led to a dark path through a horrific series of events, Pamela is determined to make Gotham suffer. In the present day, with the police completely overpowered and outmanned, Batman is the last one standing in this towering jungle in Gotham.
Armed with giant buzzsaws on each forearm, Batman charges into Ivy’s jungle, cutting away anything he sees move. Attempting to charge directly into the heart of the jungle, he stopped short when he sees a police officer–but now he’s been corrupted by Ivy! Teetering between life and death, Batman has no choice but to put them down. He’s reminded by Alfred that these things are no longer people and that there is no saving them.
As Batman navigates through Ivy’s deadly jungle, we see different versions of her–all beautiful and captivating. Batman, however, pays no attention to this tedious attempt at distraction, and instead keeps his focus on the mission. Towards the end of the book, he finally meets the real Poison Ivy–and she’s a human-plant hybrid!
Negatives
I have no complaints about this issue.
Verdict
Absolute Batman #17 is a great read and I’m looking forward to the next issue. Batman’s fight against Poison Ivy is epic and I’m excited to see how it concludes. Also, Martha Wayne has a shocking revelation at the end, and I’m eager to see where her particular story goes.
My heart, however, really goes out to Bruce’s friends. Throughout this series, Bruce has tried to make amends for what happened to them against the criminal Bane. Oswald, Harvey, Edward, and Waylon still hold Bruce responsible–and honestly, I don’t blame them. However, Bruce’s attempts to apologize continue to fall on deaf ears, but I do commend him for still trying, nevertheless. I have a bad feeling that The Joker will use Bruce’s former friends against him in some way. Their hatred for him is pure, and it’s not going away. I think that Joker while manipulate these feelings for not only the eventual takedown of Batman, but also just because he enjoys it.
Score: 5/5
