Art by: Mikel Janin
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 8, 2014
Nanobots Part Deux
Batman: Eternal is not my favorite book. I'm trying to be honest here, folks. It started like it was shot out of a cannon with more plots and characters than you could shake a stick at. Some have been touched on since while others have seemingly been abandoned. This issue gets to the "greatest hits" if you will. Jim Gordon, The GCPD vs Batman, Stephanie Brown and...Red Robin and Harper Row? Well, three out of four ain't bad.
It's a family reunion at Blackgate Prison. Last issue ended with the "stunning" reveal that Jim Gordon, Jr. was alive. At least it was stunning to his Father. After blaming Batgirl for his sons death, Gordon really has egg on his face. Gordon, Jr. has gone through quite a bit of trouble to see his Dad and he has a plan to free him. He has to pick between his psycho Son and the City that hates him. It's nice to see a little more Gordon and we get a peek at a failed Father and the Son that thinks he's doing the right thing, even when it's wrong.
Meanwhile, Lt. Bard continues the plan he started last issue. This scene is my favorite in this issue and probably in the whole series. Bard shows his intelligence and balls by tricking Commissioner Forbes into a corner. Falcone just lost his momentum in the Gotham Gang War and it had nothing to do with the Penguin.
Stephanie Brown has been "spoiling" things since the first issue, but this issue gets personal. She may think that her Dad is a joke, but what he does here is no laughing matter. Stephanie is trying to warn the City about the Cluemaster, but he seems intent on watching her life fall apart. Up to until now, I'd agree that the Cluemaster is a joke. After this issue, I changed my opinion.
Then we get Red Robin and Harper Row. Harper wants to play with Tim Drake's computer while Tim is researching nanobots and jets off to Japan. I love both these characters, but you can skip this part and not miss much at all.
Overall I enjoyed this issue. The GCPD part was excellent and Lt. Bard finally shows why Gordon wanted him on the force in the first place. Plus, we get to see that Cluemaster means business and are left wondering if Gordon is a good Father or a better citizen. I'd like to say we will find out everything next week, but you know how these weekly books go.
Mikel Janin gives us another superb issue. We don't get to see Batman much, but one panel of him is awesome. I'm sure he'll be replaced soon (another thing with weekly books), but his art has been some of the best of this series.
Bits and Pieces:
Batman: Eternal #13 is a good issue that pushes the story forward while setting up some good stuff for the future. Lt. Bard steals the show, but we also get some great Stephanie Brown and Jim Gordon moments as well. Highly Recommended.
8.0/10
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