Written by: Peter J. TomasiArt by: Ig Guara, Julio Ferreira and Andrew Dalhouse
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: September 11, 2015
Badass
I have really been enjoying the Arkham Knight tie-in book because it really doesn't feel like a tie-in at all. It's bigger and better than that. The best part is, you don't have to play the game it ties into to enjoy it. One thing that I love no matter if it's a game or a comic is seeing underused villains shine. Villains like Calendar Man. It's not that I even have a long history with the character, but that's the appeal for me. It makes everything fresh and exciting. Of course, I'm saying all this because Calender Man is in this issue and whether you are a fan or not, I think you'll have to admit, he's a damn badass. So, does Calender Man being a badass make the issue badass as well? Let's find out...
The issue starts with Batman battling another great hero, Solomon Grundy...well, actually he's fighting a series of seven of them. While the rest of the Bat Family try to figure out where the Dark Knight has gotten to, the reader knows all too well. While Calendar Man watches (and laughs), Batman is exchanging massive blows with Grundys appropriately named for the days of the week.
Peter Tomasi once again nails it right from the start. Seeing Batman fight multiple Grundys is great, but I really enjoyed seeing what the Family is up to and their reactions to Batman going missing. By far, my favorite was seeing Nightwing cracking skulls in Bludhaven. It really gives the book a sense of being in a larger world than just this story.
By the way, we also see that the Arkham Knight is trying to figure out where Batman has gone, as well. That's cool enough, but I really got excited seeing who he is working with. That excitement continues when we learn that the Arkham Knight isn't planning on taking over Gotham by himself...he's got a whole goddamn army! In a move reminiscent of the Emperor in Return of the Jedi, he personally visits his troops to see how their training is going. From the minute his (or Tim Drake's!) motorcycle screams onto the page to the point when he leaves two soldiers on the ground, half alive and with soiled pants, this is the best bit of the Arkham Knight we have seen in this series. It really was awesome and showed that the Arkham Knight is a crazy son of a bitch who lives and breathes Batman to the point of obsession.
The issue ends with Batman continuing his fight against Grundy to the point of exhaustion. While the concept of wearing down the Bat is not wholly original, I loved the method. I also loved when Calender Man kicks Batman in the face and tells him the what's what. He has tasked Batman with saving a years worth of people in the next twenty four hours and if he fails, they will die, but so will a baby that Calendar Man has kidnapped. Now that is evil!
This is just another great issue of Batman: Arkham Knight. I hope that if you've been reading my reviews, you've at least grabbed one of the issues because it really is one of my favorite books being released. Tomasi continues giving us a great story with the slow burn reveal of who and what the Arkham Knight is and is all about. This book is the best with that so far.
The art on this book is so consistently great whoever is on it and that continues this week with Ig Guara, Julio Ferreira and Andrew Dalhouse. Guara's pencils are so good, but Julio Ferreira and Andrew Dalhouse are by far my favorite inker and colorist on Arkham Knight and maybe in comics.
Bits and Pieces:
This is another great issue of Batman: Arkham Knight. Peter J. Tomasi continues giving fans the most enjoyable Bat title on the shelves (and computer screens) and if you aren't reading it, you are missing something special. If you think that Calendar Man is a joke, I think you'll change your mind after reading this issue. Ig Guara, Julio Ferreira and Andrew Dalhouse contribute with some kick ass art that brings it all to life and overall, this is a must read for fans of the game and the comic. Highly Recommended.
9.4/10
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