The DC3 decided to take on the Herculean task of covering DC’s weekly books! Our coverage will rotate between creator interviews, issue reviews and annotations, and long-form pieces on featured characters. This, friends, is the DC3kly!
Written by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, and Ray Fawkes
Illustrated by Andy ClarkeSpoiler goes head to head with her father, the deadly Cluemaster – and the fate of Gotham City hangs in the balance!
News, notes, and debuts:
This issue is one of the most focused in the series thus far, showcasing the Spoiler (Stephanie Brown) story, with only a small Batman interlude. It also marks the return of the hyper-detailed Andy Clarke to the book, which is a welcome return.
The issue opens on the Cluemaster and someone, presumably Hush, discussing the plans for reigning chaos down on the city, from rigging traffic lights to messing with the water supply, while Steph looks down from the rafters. Eventually, when Stephanie thinks her father is gone, she climbs down, but is greeted by her father waiting for her. A long fight/chase ensues, eventually leading out of Gotham.
Meanwhile, at an art gallery in Gotham, Batman is dealing with what appears to be a being of pure energy being who has killed, or at least seriously injured, a number of guests at the gallery. Of most interest is Dr. Simon Ecks – the way that Andy Clarke illustrates the scene, it is unclear if Ecks is projecting that pure energy being, or if he is just an innocent bystander. More on Ecks in a second.
Finally, once outside of Gotham, Spoiler gets the advantage over Cluemaster, eventually leading to his arrest. He protests that “his people” own the GCPD, until the trooper reveals that they are outside of Gotham, and therefore in state trooper territory. Ruh roh, Cluemaster.
Three Eternal Questions:
1. Is Ecks/that energy being the New 52 Doctor Double X?
Look, I am many things, but an encyclopedic knowledge of pre-Crisis Bat villains I am not. I googled Simon Ecks and got to reading about Doctor Double X, a villain who, according to Wikipedia, can create an energy construct not unlike what we just saw.
Doctor Double X’s energy-duplicate shares the consciousness of Simon Ecks, but can also act alone. The duplicate’s powers of flight, energy blasts, and super strength have at times required Batman to seek help in defeating the villain. Double X requires regular infusions of electrical energy to sustain itself or it will lie dormant in Ecks’ body.
I feel pretty confident in saying that is who the book is showing us, but why he is telling Batman to “save Gotham” is a little strange.
2. What is the painting showing you?
Over at MTV, they do a “post-game” of each issue, and Ray Fawkes is vague about what, if anything, we are supposed to see in the painting behind Batman:
MTV: And there’s that great page with the painting in the background. Is there something in there? Or is it really just a Rorschach, letting you see what you want to see?
Fawkes: That’s a good question.
Personally, I think I see a Predator, which I’m sure isn’t correct. What do you see? Let me know in the comments.
3. Where can I get these sweet glasses?
I know this is a bit of a cop out, but this isn’t the most complex issue, and I only had two burning questions. That said, I’m pretty sure I could rock those glasses.
Did I miss anything? If so, let me know in the comments. See you next week!
