Art by: Jorge Lucas
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: September 3, 2014
Penny for Your Thoughts
I haven't been a big fan blah, blah, blah. The different creative teams blah, blah, blah. Seriously, I've read and reviewed every issue of Batman: Eternal so far and by now you are either in or out. I'm in, but let me tell you, it took last weeks issue for me to say that with conviction. While laying out the story, the writing team must have put a pin on issue #21 as the moment to blow every one's minds. So. did this week's issue keep the pace or maybe even top it? Not quite.
The issue begins with Julia Pennyworth desperately searching through Wayne Manor for anything that could help poor Alfred. If you didn't read last week's issue (then go read it, dummy!), Alfred was attacked and injected with Fear Toxin and is now in a coma. As Julia searches, she remembers her Father's last words...Grandfather Clock...Ten Forty Eight. I'd love to do a quick Wesley Snipes impression and say, "that's the time that changes all the rules", but I won't because I pay my taxes.
Of course, Alfred was telling his daughter how to enter the Batcave. Yea, that's pretty big. She's as awestruck as a teen girl backstage at a Bobby Vinton concert (He's still "in", right?), but snaps out of it in time to yell at and then help Batman. Okay, most readers have to be pretty excited about Julia (or "Penny Two") being included in the Bat inner circle. I know I am, I really like the little bits we've learned about her in the series. Usually, when you get in this close to Batman you die or become Robin (and then die...lol). I really hope it's the later.
The reason Julia has to help Batman is because he's trying to stop the Architect. It's a pretty cool deal that Kyle Higgins gets to return to his villain from the Gates of Gotham. In a move that Peter Griffin would love, the Architect even name drops the title. Unfortunatley, I'm not a huge fan of the Architect and so far, he feels a bit forced into the story. However, the Big Bad revealed last week seems to have some plans for him, so I'll try to keep an open mind.
Speaking of the villain reveal from last week, I don't want to spoil it...screw it, it's Hush. I've heard some people complain about Hush over the years, but I'm pretty pumped. The issue ends with Batman realizing that Hush is back on the scene and is responsible for Alfred's present condition. Batman seems a bit worried and I can't wait for next week.
Kyle Higgins and the gang of writers are really hitting their stride. After so many plot lines and story threads being thrown at the reader, Baternal has settled down into a razor sharp read. I want to get back to some of the other stories (like Spoiler and Batwing and Jim Corrigan), but right now I'm having a blast.
What I didn't like this week was the art. Jorge Lucas' style matched the story well enough, but it was a bit confusing. I actually thought I'd skipped pages twice while reading.
Bits and Pieces:
Batman: Eternal #22 wasn't the jaw dropper that #21 was, but it was still a good read. Kyle Higgins gives us a huge moment with Julia Pennyworth and gets to revisit his Gates of Gotham. While Jorge Lucus' style was okay, his art was unnecessarily confusing. Fans of Baternal will still enjoy this issue as it pushes the story forward at a pretty good pace.
8.0/10
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