Throwback Thursday Reviews: Batman Eternal #1 (2014)

Batman Weekly or Weakly?

Written by: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Ray Fawkes, John Layman and Tim Seeley
Art by: Jason Fabok
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 9, 2014

This week for the Thursday Throwback Reviews, I decided to feature all sorts of Batman issues.  Why?  Well, to prove that we here at Weird Science may be disappointed with the current start of Batman affairs, but we will always be big fans! - Jim


I know, We need another Batman book like we need...an awesome weekly book featuring the Gotham Police Department as much as the Dark Knight.  That's right, I've been pretty stoked (is that a word anymore?) for Batman Eternal and now that it's here I can tell you, it's worth the wait even if it has a few flaws.


A new Lieutenant, Jason Bard, has arrived in Gotham and he's looking to meet Jim Gordon.  However, Gordon is a little busy fighting Professor Pyg with Batman.  The story cuts back-and-forth between Bard meeting the GCPD and Batman and  Gordon taking care of Pyg.  Bard quickly finds out that Gotham may look shiny, but it has a dark side.  Gordon finds out that everything isn't really what you see with deadly results.  In the end, the two cops finally meet, but it's not what either would have guessed even if it is exactly what the reader would.

Scott Snyder, James Tynion, and crew do a really good job with this issue.  I love that it's not just "another" Batman book.  If this first issue is any indication (and I think it is), this book will be just as much about the inner workings of the GCPD as it is about Batman.  Awesome.  

What I don't like about this issue has nothing to do with the actual issue.  It has to do with the constant spoiling of this series and this issue in particular.  We've seen Gordon in cuffs since Thanksgiving and last weeks New 52 News completely spoiled the ending.  By that I mean it had the actual ending in last weeks books.  Seriously, most readers knew exactly what would happen before opening this issue.  Great job DC.

Even though it was spoiled, the ending is still great and I can't wait to see how it plays out.  Is Jason Bard going to be Gordon's (and Gotham's) savior or will he succumb to dark temptation?  The way the book begins and ends, I'm not so sure yet.  Snyder and Company are setting this book up to be more than just a weekly cash grab, it is already changing the Bat-Universe.

Jason Fabok's art is so good.  I hope he can keep it up weekly because everything looks great, from Batman to Gotham itself.  I'm telling you, this guy has a bright future ahead of him...Yes, I am gunning to be his agent right about now!  I know that Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are a great team, but I sure don't mind Jason Fabok spending time in Gotham City.

Bits and Pieces:

Scott Snyder and Company gives us a weekly book that's as much GCPD as it is Batman. Count me in.  I just wish DC didn't completely spoil this issue's awesome ending, but it's still great and will have me grabbing next weeks issue to see what happens.

8.0/10