Batman #39 Review

Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Greg Capullo
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 25, 2015

Desperate Times...

Okay, I've said it a couple of times already, but I still don't know what to make of this Endgame story.  While I am lukewarm on the idea of the Joker being immortal, I love seeing Batman struggle for his life.  In fact, when all is said and done, Scott Snyder's great run on Batman really comes down to that.  Each month Batman struggles for his life and I love it.  Give Snyder credit, however, because he still finds a way to maintain the tension even when we all know what really can't happen.  Don't we?!?  Last month ended with the awesome cliffhanger of Batman going to the Court of Owls for help and if that didn't show how desperate he is, what would?  Let's find out, shall we?



After one of the coolest openings this book has seen, we get to what I was waiting for all month...the Court of the Owls.  To say I'm an Owl fanboy is an understatement and nothing Snyder has done since has topped them, in my not so humble opinion.  After reading the first part of this issue, I felt like this kid.  As i stands right now, the Court was used for a cool cliffhanger and a forced fight.  Luckily for everyone, the issue gets better.

The issue then goes into the usual "is it real or not" territory with some limb severing and hijinx that leads to one of the craziest Day of the Dead parades I have ever seen.  It's a collectible lovers dream, but Gotham's worst nightmare.  Any way you poke at it, it looked awesome.

Snyder then throws in something that has been neglected a lot during his run...fun.  Of course, all hell is ripping through Gotham, but when Red Hood, Red Robin, Batgirl and Bluebird show up, I had a huge smile on my face.  If that's not good enough for you, Batman has a plan to fight the Joker and it is crazy, unthinkable and completely awesome.  I will not spoil it, but it ties into the beginning of the book and you might think that Batman and Snyder have lost their collective minds.

While I can't fully forgive what Scott Snyder did with the Court of Owls and my emotions, I really liked this issue.  Yes, it was mostly setting up next month's finale, but it was so much fun.  I can't wait to see how it all ties together next month.

This issue looked stupendous.  It's always hard to come up with new adjectives to describe Greg Cappullo, but this might be his best issue yet.  Well, at least in a long time.  It's that good.

Bits and Pieces:

While Court of the Owl fans may be disappointed, I don't think many readers will walk away from this issue with anything but glee.  Scott Snyder has thrown a change up that turned a setup heavy issue into a blast.  While I'm still up in the air over the Joker being immortal, I'm suddenly having too much fun to care.  Bring on next issue.

8.9/10