Batman: Eternal #33 Review

Written by: Kyle Higgins
Art by: Jason Fabok
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 19, 2014

Trouble Brewing

Eternal has been pretty hard on Batman and last week, things got worse.  Hush's plan kicked into high gear and the preparations that usually make Batman unstoppable may be his undoing.  Worse yet, the whole mess may also point towards Bruce Wayne and Wayne Enterprises which wouldn't be a surprise after what's been happening over at Arkham Manor.  In other words, Hush is winning and Gotham and everyone in it is in big, big trouble.  Guess what?  Things look like they are going to get worse before they get any better.



Gotham is still reeling from the massive explosions from last week's issue.  Hush gained access to Batman's weapons caches and is randomly blowing them up.  Why?  To frame Batman...and Bruce Wayne.  Damn you Hush.  As Batman, Julia and Alfred try to keep up, Commissioner Bard finds out just how serious Hush is.  He's not someone who likes to do things half-way and that includes threatening his partner in crime.

This story has been all about Hush, but this issue is Penny Two's coming out party.  Julia Pennyworth has been doing her best Oracle impersonation, but she's stepping out from behind the computer screen.  Alfred isn't too thrilled, but Batman has confidence in the young lady and if things weren't spoiled already, I'd bet she was the next Robin.  As Julia and Batman try to figure out Hush's next move,  Wayne Enterprises is coming under more and more scrutiny for the explosions.  Again, it's going to get worse before it gets better.  If that's not bad enough, the issue ends with Julia in a really bad situation.  She's shown she can hold her own, but I don't know about this.

Kyle Higgins story is not non-stop action, but it sets up so much for the upcoming series (and Arkham Manor for that sake).  I enjoyed the interaction between Batman, Alfred and Julia.  In fact, this issue made me like Julia more than any other before.  I just hope she lasts.

I loved everything about Jason Fabok's art.  He is one of my favorite of the rotating artists on this book and this issue shows why. Everything is so detailed and his pencil heavy style fits the dark, gritty nature of this book.

Bits and Pieces:

This issue sets up so much up, but not all of it is good.  Hush is busy doing something that rarely happens...besting Batman.  He also has Bruce Wayne on the ropes and is about to hit him where it hurts.  Julia comes out of the Cave and shows she can hold her own, but sometimes holding your own isn't enough.  One of those times may be the last page of this issue.  Higgins and Fabok move the book forward enough to have me interested in next week's issue.

7.8/10