Written by: Chip Zdarsky
Art by: Carmine Di Giandomenico
Colors by: Tomeu Morey
Letters by: Clayton Cowles
Cover art by: Jorge Jimenez, Tomeu Morey
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: November 6, 2024
Batman #154, by DC Comics on 11/6/24, dives deep into Mayor Nakano's murder, uncovering more than one secret that changes everything about the men Batman thought he knew.
*Sniff* *Sniff* Do you smell that? I smell it. It's the sad, sad smell of desperation. When a creator knows they've fouled up a run so bad they resort to cheap shock and lazy retcons, it's almost a given to expect some kind of desperate Hail Mary to make the waning months of the run matter. Unfortunately for Batman readers everywhere, Chip Zdarsky is stinking up the place with desperation in Batman #154.
When last we left the Caped Crusader in
Batman #153, Batman's life in Gotham returned to semi-normalcy after the Absolute Power event, but the peace didn't last long. Riddler was released from incarceration and hit it big as a tech mogul, intent on taking over Wayne Enterprises. Meanwhile, a new, deadly vigilante arrived on the scene, Commander Star, sanctioned by Commissioner Vandal Savage. The issue ended with Mayor Nakano taking two bullets to the chest from a hidden assassin.
In Batman #154, Batman and P.I. Gordon arrive after the police to investigate the lead-icillin death of Mayor Nakano. The police don't turn up much, but Batman gets a lead from Nakano's personal assistant about a man named Leonid Kill, who we learned in the last issue is the current head of the Court of Owls.
When Batman finds Kull having dinner with Riddler and the new, interim mayor, Batman learns the truth about Kull's position with the Court, but he suspects he's looking in the wrong place for the killer.
Later, Bruce Wayne meets with his counsel to discuss the challenge to his ownership of Wayne Enterprises from a so-called long lost brother. Rowan uses her influence to get a name - William Pureford - and the source believe William is the secret love child of Thomas Wayne from an affair.
Later still, Bruce visits Leslie Thompkins, who confirms his father's indiscretion. During the clinic visit a protest riot breaks out in front of the clinic. When Bruce goes outside to diffuse the situation, he's almost shot by one of the protestors, but he's saved at the last minute by the arrival of Commander Star.
Later again, Batman and Gordon return to the scene of the murder to look for more clues. During the search, Bullock calls Batman to let him know they cracked Mrs. Nakano's phone to find out she was having an affair... with Jim Gordon.
What's great about Batman #154?
To Zdarsky's credit, he's planting the seeds of multiple mysteries that are intriguing and unguessable. Nakano's murder seemed like an easy guess, until it wasn't, and the secret identity of Commander Star has potential.
What's not great about Batman #154?
Come on, Chip Zdarsky! What are we doing here? Did DC issue a mandate to everyone working on a Bat-title to besmirch and retcon Thomas Wayne wherever possible? Between this issue and last week's Detective, 2024 is looking bad for maintaining Thomas Wayne's integrity.
Taking it a step further, Gordon stepped into the father-figure role a long time ago, and now we're knocking him down a few notches as an adulterer. Honestly DC, go peddle your dystopian daddy issues somewhere else.
How's the Art?
Carmine Di Giandomenico's art looks great, so there's no complain here. In particular, Di Gianomenico makes good use of off-angle panel shots and unique perspectives to make every panel as visually interesting as possible.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Final Thoughts
Batman #154 has the seeds of a few intriguing mysteries surrounding a murder and a new vigilante in town. Sadly, Chip Zdarsky resorts to cheap shocks and needless retcons to tear down every father figure in Batman's life, which puts a stinking cloud of desperation over the long-suffering run. Keep your daddy issues to yourself, DC.
6/10
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Poor Thomas Wayne can't catch a break from this title lolll ( it's funny we both had the same reaction to that 'revelation'). I feel like the writer expected us to feel proud that he didn't have Thomas knowingly abandon a child when everything here in this issue about him has been out of character. I wonder when we will get the Martha also messed things up plot, I am sure it will happen any day now. You know, cause our parents aren't who we think they are and stuff, surely so wasn't Martha. Come on now writers, I am counting on you to deliver on this. Maybe she really was Joker all this time. Why not. On the whole Gordon thing, I think it's just cheap shock value and it will turn out to be something entirely different that what it seems.( it better be the case)
ReplyDeleteApart from that, this issue has also been horrible just like the 99 percent of this run has been. (As always my criticisms are only intended for the writing quality and not a personal attack on the writers themselves)
nice blog
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