Batwing #33 Review

Written by: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by: Eduardo Pansica
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 2, 2014

Gruesome Indeed

I have been a huge supporter of Batwing, especially since Palmiotti and Gray have taken over the book.  I thought that putting Luke Fox in the Batwing suit was going to launch this title into the stratosphere.  I still think people missed out on a fun title, but so did Palmiotti and Gray.  You see, they got away from what was such a fun book and made it like most of the other Bat books.  Grim and dark.  That's all fine and dandy, but I want the fun back.  Unfortunately, the series is ending next issue so my chances of getting the fun Batwing back are zero to none.  Especially when this issue is far from being that.  Nope, we get more dark and grim.  Oh well.



With the Menace arc ending, what will Luke do for the last two issues of his run?  Well, this issue introduces us to Gruesome George, the villain for the final two issues.  It starts off pretty good.  He's a pretty nasty guy who's main motivation is violence.  Against others, against himself, he really doesn't care.  Then he develops a bit of a Batman obsession and things go off the rails.

Meanwhile, Luke is on the trail of a violent copycat Batman (one guess who it might be) and has a little family time.  Palmiotti and Gray have pushed Luke's personal life to the forefront and I like it.  Granted, it became part of the dark and grim I hated, but the family dynamic isn't in itself the problem.  His phone call with his Mother this issue is a bit messed up, though and ends with his Father hanging up on him ,but not before making me angry.  It's the whole religious angle.  Again, please don't misunderstand me.  I have actually been a vocal supporter of the Fox family's religious devotion, but here it is so forced.  We get a throw away line that shouted, "Remember, we are religious here."  I expect so much more from Palmiotti and Gray.

The book ends with a little switcharoo.  After a brief battle, Batwing leaves Gruesome George for the authorities...or does he?!  It seems Georgie has some guardian angels on his side.  Little, mutant, ugly angels.  I wish I could say I'm looking forward to next month's series finale, but I'm not.  If we don't get an awesome issue, I'll probably just forget this little two issue arc ever existed.

All is not lost this month, however.  Eduardo Pansica 's art is so good.  His clean, slightly cartoony look fits this book so well.  Let me point out something I've said a million times and every reader already knows, Batwing suit at night equals solid gold.

Bits and Pieces:

Palmiotti and Gray's Batwing is a great book I'd urge everyone to read.  Just not this issue.  It seems like a tacked on story to fill the space until next months cancellation.  Eduardo Pansica's art is really good as usual, but unless you are a huge Batwing fan, you can skip this issue.

5.0/10