Art by: Eduardo Pansica
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: Jume 4, 2014
For Goodness Sake
I'm sure that everyone has heard the sad news, Batwing has been canceled. If you are one of the loyal readers (which I consider myself), then I know that while it wasn't a surprise, it hit you pretty hard. I feel your pain. If you are among the group that didn't read Batwing every month then I shake my fist at you and scowl. Since Palmiotti and Gray introduced Luke Fox as the new Batwing this book has been great. Granted, the Menace arc has brought the book down a bit in the fun department, but it's still been better than most of the New 52. So, with a heavy heart I will review Batwing #32 and wish more people would have read this great book.
Luke took care of Menace last issue (kind of) and now he needs to get his younger sister, Tiffany, and himself out of the Gotham Underground. She's being chased by the skeezy Rat Catcher who will make me have nightmares about Christmas for quite some time. Thanks Palmiotti and Gray! Luke continues his no holds barred attitude and after revealing his identity to his sister, gets them to safety.
While everything seems to be better for the Fox family than it has been for a long time, Luke goes to Church for some soul searching. I've seen some complaints on this books religious angle, but I like it and commend Palmiotti and Gray for continuing it. I am not a religious person myself, but it fleshes out the character of Luke.
Afterwards, Luke heads out to stop the "monsters" that are infesting Gotham. He means business and takes his frustration out on a biker gang harassing a family. I have to admit, I was totally into it. Unfortunately, Batman wasn't. Him and Luke don't see eye-to-eye anymore and the reader can see the bond between them breaking. Whether it ends because of this will play out in the next two issues.
I'm torn with this issue. While I wanted the book to get back to the fun Batwing, I am enjoying the deep character work with the Fox family. I just wish we could have had both.
Another thing I really enjoy about the book is Eduardo Pansica's art. It is so good especially the action scenes which are plentiful this month. Kudos for the Rat Catcher. He's awesome and scary. I'm actually going to miss him.
Bits and Pieces:
Batwing #32 isn't as fun as I want this book to be, but it's still good. Palmiotti and Gray have fleshed out the character of Luke Fox so well and now it looks like he's ready to go out on his own terms. I will be there until the end and so should everyone else. This book deserves it.
8.0/10
This title deserved better. It was good while it lasted though. We should be seeing more of Luke in Batman Eternal.
ReplyDeleteYea, I really liked him in Eternal. I just wish more people would have given the book a try.
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