Art by: Emanuel Simeoni
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: May 21, 2014
Under the Sea
We are seven issues into Batman Eternal and I think I finally see what's going on. Yes, I am a dummy who needs to have things explained to him more than most, but I can't take all the blame. Each new issue has thrown more plot points at the reader without much explanation and no resolution to speak of. It hasn't helped that the book is on a revolving door of creative teams so I wasn't surprised we get a new one this week. However, Tim Seeley does something odd. This issue continues right from the end of last. Who would have thunk it? In fact, this issue was explosively action packed, pushed the plot forward and thanks to Emanuel Simeoni, looked good. Yes, I'm finally seeing the bigger picture.
Batman Eternal has been a sneak attack team-up book. This week we get Catwoman, fresh off her do-gooder Forever Evil tour. While Batman crawls out of the burning wreckage of last issue, she is sneaking around the Iceberg Lounge. Batman deals with Professor Pyg, Catwoman deals with the Penguin. The funny thing is, both Pyg and Cobblepot are being played by Falcone. That's where the bigger picture comes in.
The pieces of the puzzle aren't fitting together yet, but at least they finally seem to be coming from the same box. Falcone is playing everyone and only Batman seems to realize it. He tries to tell Pyg, but he won't listen. Meanwhile, Catwoman confronts Cobblepot about trouble in the Underground, but just as she realizes she has the wrong man, disaster strikes. She quickly springs into action and shows she is the hero of this issue. Then in a great ending, Professor Pyg shows he is not going down so easily.
Tim Seeley gives the reader a summer blockbuster issue with explosions, chase scenes and narrow escapes. Everything goes at a breakneck speed and I enjoyed almost everything. Almost. I continue to have a big problem with Commissioner Forbes. I know, we're supposed to hate him. I get it, he hates Batman. However, what he does near the end of this issue makes him just a ridiculous cliche. I'm surprised he didn't kick a dog and slap a baby afterwards to prove for sure how much of an ass he is.
I had a similar reaction to Emanuel Simeoni's art. Everything looked really good, I just had one problem. Simeoni kept up with the high speed pace with ease and his art looked good and was easy to follow. It was just his Penguin. I hated his Penguin. I really hated his Penguin. I liked everything else...hated his Penguin. Pass it on.
Bits and Pieces:
Batman: Eternal #7 gets the story back on the rails. After weeks of head spinning stories, I finally see a little piece of the puzzle and I like it. Catwoman fans will dig this issue, but Penguin fans may not recognize their favorite gangster. I can actually say that I am looking forward to next week.
8.0/10
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