Batman: Arkham Knight #6 Review

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Viktor Bogdanovic
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: March 27, 2015

Strange Bedfellows 

I have enjoyed the hell out of this Arkham Knight prequel comic.  The main reason is that this doesn't feel like a quick cash grab...no, this is an honest-to-goodness great Batman comic that just happens to lead into the upcoming Arkham Knight game.  That may not seem like a lot to some of you, but believe me, it is.  Peter J. Tomasi and Viktor Bogdanovic are combining to give readers something special and it's become a book I look forward to reading and reviewing every Friday night.  Did this finale of the second arc continue the greatness?  Let's find out...



Last week's issue ended with a "killer" cliffhanger.  Of course I  mean Killer Croc and yes, that is a banana in my pants.  Peter J. Tomasi has done a good job of slowly expanding the roster of characters in this story and I was so glad to see Croc.  I don't think Batman is going to feel the same way! However, before we get to that this week, we go back in time to see how Croc got involved.  Will you be surprised if I tell you Harley is involved?!?

Surprise...Harley is involved!  I wish I could tell you that the plan involved more than Harley using Croc to get rid of Batman and in turn, Jim Gordon, but it doesn't look that way.  That's fine with me because I love seeing Killer Croc get all nasty on Batman and he does so in spades this issue.  This is not the animated series version (which I do love, btw), this is the Arkham version and that means scary violence.

Meanwhile, we visit with Oswald Cobblepot getting a foot message and while nobody gets thrown into a glass house (poor, poor Antoine Roccamora), Harley Quinn shows up with an offer...She wants to be Oswald's new partner.  Of course, this all hinges on the fact that she thinks Batman is out of the picture, but after the fight with Croc and some cool trick that will have fans of the games nod their heads and smile, he is very much alive.  Things are bound to be a bit awkward next issue.

It should be no surprise that I like this issue.  It may not be my favorite of the series, but it is still a fun read.  Isn't that the sign of a great book when a down issue is still good?  For the finale of the second arc, it was mostly setup and I was left wondering why Batman didn't use his "trick" earlier in the fight with Croc.  Did he forget he had it?  Does he enjoy the pain?  I'm still fully into this book and can't wait for next week.

Vikor Bogdanovic's art is a big reason for that.  It is great.  I'm not joking or exaggerating...it really is great.  I dare anyone to pick up this book and think otherwise.  Yes, I'm daring you.  While you're at it,  I also dare you to knock this battery off my shoulder. **Edit** I was called out below for not recognizing the great work that Art Thibert does on inks and it's not that I'm blind, but I will claim a bit of ignorance.  I often do forget the great work that the WHOLE art team does so I want to give a huge shout out to Art Thibert (Inks), John Rauch (Colors) and Travis Lanham (Letters) who are just as important as Victor Bogdanovic in making this book look as great as it does.

Bits and Pieces:

This issue of Arkham Knight may be more setup than I expected for the end of an arc, but it was still good fun.  Peter J. Tomasi continues to expand the cast of characters and I really am enjoying the story we're getting.  I am also a huge fan of Viktor Bagdonovic's art which is only getting better with each issue.

8.0/10