[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers!]
Writer: Tom King
Artists: Mikel Janin, Jorge Fornes
Colors: Jordie Bellaire
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Summary
Batman is going on a one-man crusade against the villains of Gotham City-all in one night! Literally going around town fighting almost every villain in his rogues’ gallery, Batman is determined to find the answer he wants– is Bane actually running in Arkham Asylum?
Positives
In this issue we find Batman driven to almost near extremes to find out the truth about Bane and his influence in Arkham Asylum. With the Penguin protected safely in the Batcave, Batman sets out to get the answers he seeks. However beating up criminals throughout Gotham doesn’t set to well with Jim Gordon, and if you recall the last issue the two allies had a minor falling out between them. Jim has been very tolerant of Batman and his methods, but it seems in this issue even Gordon thinks Batman has gone too far. Towards the end of the book Gordon actually goes on top of the roof of police headquarters and destroys the Batsignal with a baseball bat. King invokes this powerful moment as a symbol I believe that the alliance between Batman and the police department–especially Gordon is over.
Negatives
King gives me nothing negative to say about this issue. Batman #60 is an enjoyable read, and I particularly enjoyed the exchange between Alfred and Penguin while in the Batcave. Although a crime boss and homicidal maniac–the Penguin has moments of fragility, and he actually shows it with Alfred while discussing Penny, his now dead wife. It seems that with all the evil that Cobblepot has done over the years, he still thought he could have redemption. Now however with the death of the woman he loves, Cobblepot no longer feels that need or urge for redemption at all–especially without love being the end result. Tom King uses this conversation between Alfred and Penguin to humanize Cobblepot, and I loved it.
Verdict
Batman #60 is a great read and it’s clear that Bane’s master plan is slowly coming together! There’s even an unexpected appearance by someone whom Bruce didn’t expect to see at all! And even I must admit I was shocked! However I’m eager to see the further relationship between Batman and Gordon. With Batman’s actions throughout Arkham and Gotham in these last few issues, one of Batman’s best allies may be gone for good. I’m thinking that this was probably essential to Bane’s plan–and I can’t wait to see what comes from it.
