There are a lot of comics out there, but some stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With “Don’t Miss This,” we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. This week, we pay tribute to the latest happenings of The Caped Crusader with a look at “Batman,” and see what’s the latest with Gotham City’s favorite crime stopper!
Who’s this by?
“Batman” is written by creator Chip Zdarsky. Zdarsky’s started the path to becoming a beloved DC creator as a “Sex Criminals” artist with writer Matt Fraction. Following the “Sex Criminals” series, Zdarsky went onto to write a few Marvel titles including “Howard the Duck” with artist Joe Quinones and “Star Lord” with Kris Anka. Zdarsky started working on the “Daredevil” property with artist Marco Checchetto. Zdarsky’s time on “Daredevil” proved to DC that he was able to take on a noir-focused hero. Zdarsky was selected by DC as the main writer of “Batman” during his “Daredevil” run that is still ongoing at Marvel Comics!
Jorge Jimenez has been drawing the “Batman” series now across several different writers. Jimenez collaborated with writer James Tynion on the epic ‘Fear State’ storyline on the main “Batman” comic prior to Zdarsky’s run on the title. Prior to “Batman” Jimenez worked with writers Dan Abnett and Daniel H. Wilson on the “Earth 2: Society” comics. Following Earth 2: Society,” Jimenez drew an epic “Justice League” run written by Scott Snyder.
What’s it all about?
One of Bruce’s defense protocols known as “Failsafe” activated in the Batcave. In the beginning of Zdarsky’s run on “Batman,” readers learn just how prominent Failsafe is as a physical threat. Sadly, Failsafe is so strong that not even Batman and Robin are able to take him down. Batman has utilized his allies in the Bat-Family. However, to take down Failsafe Bruce resorted to a back-up personality that pushed this series in a much different direction. The true hope of getting Failsafe back offline once and for all lies in the alternate personality that Batman created for himself.
What makes it so great?
Overall DC’s new “Batman” series is an incredibly strong and versatile chapter for Bruce Wayne. If you are looking for that massive, bombastic action the main story has you covered. On top of the sharp sense of writing across this series, the interiors feature gorgeous art as well. Jimenez continues to hone his craft with a relatable Superman and great, pulse-pounding fight scenes.
In “Batman” #125, Zdarsky’s script allows for Jimenez to go insane on the page. There’s a panel where Bruce is bleeding through background in the debut issue of the series that looks stunning. Jimenez is great at drawing massive action sequences that transition into the bigger plot-oriented moments within the issue. “Batman” #126 opens with a gorgeous moment where everyone in the Batman Family has their back turned to the audience. It’s great to see that Jimenez is able to draw different body types in this sequence as well. Jimenez usually draws incredibly detailed backgrounds for the series as well. Issue #127 features a heavy-bombastic fight with Failsafe in the Batcave, but Jimenez still draws a great background with lots of detail. There’s tons of sparks and technology whizzing around in the issue. Jimenez makes sure to keep the lighting sparse to note that these characters are still in a dark environment. These moments are amplified thanks to the beautiful colors in the series from Tomeu Morey.
“Batman” is a wonderful showcase for artist Jorge Jimenez. Jimenez is able to draw Batman supporting characters like Superman in “Batman” #128 to great effect. The expressions on Jimenez’s Superman contrast nicely with Batman’s freaked out, stoic look. Zdarsky’s script features a lot of characters allowing for Jimenez to draw lots of different characters going up against Failsafe. Jimenez is great at drawing fluid motion on the page. In a scene where Failsafe stabs Superman, Jimenez lays out the panels incredibly strategically, using it as the focal point for the page that the other panels bleed into. Jimenez is able to capture so many interesting Batman characters across the cast of the series.
Continued belowThe opening issue of the series teased a larger scope for Zdarsky and Jimenez’s “Batman” than what readers have seen so far. It will be interesting to see if more characters arrive in future issues. The smaller scope for the opening story has led to some great moments. In order to take Failsafe offline Batman had to active his back-up personality of Zur-En-Arrh. Zdarsky has written fascinating moments for the Batman Family of characters and their relationship to Zur-En-Arrh. The violent but sometimes sweeter nature of Bruce under this personality is one of the most fascinating parts about this run so far.
“Batman” #128 is the issue where the big battle between Failsafe and Gotham kicks off in earnest. Zdarsky scripts a carefully written issue loaded with endearing fight scenes with faces from across the DC Universe. In the first issue of the series “Batman” #125, I was incredibly worried that Zdarsky’s scripts weren’t going to be ambitious enough to hold my attention throughout the run. However, the twist ending at the end of the issue #128 and the surprise of Zur-En-Arrh has completely dispelled some revelations about this direction for “Batman.” Thanks to some of the art from Jorge Jimenez in the issue, it is even a little easier to interpret this issue as extension of the excellent run from James Tynion and Jimenez.
How can you read it?
You can purchase Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jimenez’s Batman monthly from DC Comics. “Batman” Vol. 1: Failsafe is on-sale March 21, 2023.
