Art by: Phil Hester
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: August 23, 2014
Better Off Dead?
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Mark of the Phantasm has been a Tour de Force for fans of the Batman Animated Universe. Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel have produced such a great story by cherry picking some great moments and expanding upon them to make them even better. I have loved every minute of it. This week we get the penultimate issue of the arc and it takes a bit of a dark turn that is a shame, but really sets up for an emotional and explosive finale.
Last issue ended with Terry arriving to save Jake and finding him in full out Joker Gas mode. If you expected Terry to just call it even and leave, you would be wrong. What kind of hero would that make him? As he tries to rescue Jake, Bruce informs him that the Phantasm is on her way. I love Terry's reaction
Meanwhile, Barbara Gordon also arrives on the scene and immediately gets into it with Jokerized Jake. This scene is only four little panels, but it may be my favorite of the whole series. Barbara shows she's still got it and it's so awesome. I still have a huge smile on my face.
The rest of the issue is one huge fight scene, but when the Phantasm arrives, things go horribly wrong. After what happens, I'm not really sure why Bruce let her go, let alone sent her. Once again, I can see why Terry will eventually leave Bruce. The issue ends with a shocking reveal that sets up an emotional finale.
This issue was so good at once again showing how Terry and Bruce differ. Terry put everything behind to try to save someone he should hate, while Bruce just throws another wrench in the works. Bruce, you got some 'splainin to do.
Phil Hester's art was great once again. He gives this book just enough grittiness to be cartoony, yet match the dark story. While there was no stand out panel to show your friends, everything was consistently good.
Bits and Pieces:
Batman Beyond 2.0 #30 continues the great Mark of the Phantasm story. This issue may be the calm before next week's storm, if calm means kick ass battles and a shocking end. Barbara Gordon fans get a great moment and Bruce continues to drive Terry further away. Phil Hester's art fits Higgins and Siegel's dark story so well. I don't want the story to end, but I can't wait to see how it does.
9.0/10
I guess we now know how Barbara Gordon's arm got broken. I wondered about that since the first issue. And no to answer your question....he's not better off dead. It was kind of sad actually.
ReplyDeleteIt was very sad...the tag line was my lame attempt at tying the comic in with an 80's movie. I can't wait to see how this story wraps up.
ReplyDeleteI agree...he seems like a guy who had a habit of getting in way over his head and paid the price for it. Not a standard monster by any means. I can't wait for the penultimate war of words between the two Batmen.
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be so good to see the shit hit the fan. Bruce deserves what he gets, btw.
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