Batman: Arkham Knight #32 Review

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Ig Guara, Julio Ferreira, Andrew Dalhouse and Deron Bennett
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: September 25, 2015

Fright Knight

I love this comic and if you have been shying away from it because it's a tie-in to a video game or some other crazier reason, do yourself a favor and get on the trolley.  Why should you listen to me? Well, I read and/or review every DC Comic each week and I stand by my statement that Arkham Knight is the best batman book that DC is putting out right now.  So there!  For those who already have their ticket punched, Peter Tomasi has done such a great job keeping things fresh by giving us more than just the Arkham Knight.  In fact, it's the guest stars that have made it a delight for myself and that is front and center in the current "Burning the Days" arc of which this is the finale.  Calendar man has stepped up his game and it really looks like he may be the one who finally takes down the Bat.  He's not alone, however, as the Scarecrow showed up last issue in all his glory.  So, does Julian Day become the man of the hour (and day, week and year)?  Let's find out...




The issue starts with the reader finding out the worst thing that could happen to Calendar Man.  Here's a hint...it involves a calendar.  It's a strange opening, until you realize that he is under Scarecrow's influence.  As he disappears into a very symbolic bunch of papers, we cut to Gordon and Cash drinking some coffee and taking about their hopes and fears...manly their fears.

I usually roll my eyes when a major part of the plot bleeds over to a non related scene, but watching Cash and Gordon talk about their fears was so good.  It involved the upcoming election and just being a cop in one of the worst cities in the entire Universe.  Gordon ends it by telling Cash to embrace the fear and make it work for and with him.  Good advice, Jim.

Back with Julian Day, we see that indeed, the Scarecrow is making him realize his greatest fears. However, this arc has proved one thing...Calendar Man is a badass and that continues this issue when he breaks free of the fear and tosses Scarecrow aside.  My fear was actually that Scarecrow would sulk away and we wouldn't get any more of him in this book, but thankfully that isn't the case. Instead, he has a bigger plan to take down Batman and Gotham and eventually gets Calendar Man on board.  It kind of ends Julian's plan with a whimper, but sets up some real tension to see what will happen going forward.

I really want to see what the heck Scarecrow has in store for Batman, but the Dark Knight himself is only concerned with the now and that involves saving the baby that Calendar Man had kidnapped.  It's actually an easy rescue...Calendar man drops him and Batman catches him.  Case closed.  He then tells Gordon where to send the GCPD and I'm sure you're with me in thinking that this is part one of Dr. Crane's master plan.

While I really enjoyed this issue, I was a bit upset that Calendar Man didn't get his day in the sun.  He set up Batman so well and even Scarecrow said he thought that he could end the Bat.  Look, I know that Batman is not going to die here, but a guy can root for the underdog, right?  If you have been reading this book, you are used to the way Tomasi ends an arc by flowing it into the next.  This finale sets up the next arc and does so in fine fashion.

Ig Guara and the rest of the art team (Julio Ferreira, Andrew Dalhouse) do their usual great job making this book look so good.  Whether it's the Scarecrow confronting Calendar Man or Gordon and Cash drinking coffee, everything looks great.  My favorite part, however, was seeing the Bat Baby Seat...awesome!

Bits and Pieces:

The Scarecrow is in town and fear is on the menu.  Another great arc has ended by setting up what looks to be even better one,  Batman may live to fight another day, but I'm guessing that things are going to get worse before they get better.  This issue may be more setup than newcomers are used to in a finale, but the art and story end this arc in style and that's A-OK with me.

8.8/10