Despite the fact that James Tynion IV has written over a dozen “Batman” issues, it still feels like his time with The Dark Knight is just getting started. Tynion and artist Jorge Jimenez’s biggest story yet, ‘The Joker War’ is coming to an end. We are here to cover the penultimate issue of the story before the landmark triple-digit finale. Jimenez is teaming up with Tynion to get readers ready for the milestone chapter. Batman is still licking his wounds over a recent loss and is barely ready for whatever The Joker has in store for his next big scheme. The Joker tucks a few nasty tricks at the end of the script that hit a nerve with Batman. Join us for a review of “Batman” #99 which sets key pieces in motion for an important chapter in Bruce Wayne’s life.
Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Jorge Jimenez
Colored by Tomeu Morey
Lettered by Clayton Cowles“The Joker War” part five of six! Things have changed, as Batman realizes he can’t fight this war alone. He’s going to need help. Before he faces down The Joker, he must call up his trusty partner Dick Grayson! But can Dick reclaim his lost memories in time to join the battle?
The average issue of “Batman” from James Tynion IV up to this point always contains a few interesting plot developments but appears to be missing something new. “Batman” #99 is a chapter that puts all of the major players into place while more closely fleshing out Bruce Wayne’s character. “Batman” #98 first started re-establishing the motivations behind Bruce, Harleen, and Alexis by diving into their backstories. Readers now have a better idea of some of the vulnerabilities that Bruce carries as Batman. The Joker is looking to take advantage of and even use the resources he stole from The Wayne Foundation against him. Tynion shows just how ruthless and theatric The Joker is in this storyline. The Joker doesn’t seem happy just killing Batman, he needs to make a mockery of and humiliate Bruce.
Tynion’s script has a lot of emotion behind it and I believe that Jorge Jimenez’s art direction carries emotion as well. Jimenez immediately starts the script on the right foot with a beautiful panel bleed and intricate page layout that doesn’t feel cramped. Jimenez seems to enjoy depicting the emotion, arrogance, and physicality of The Joker in a really fascinating manner. Jimenez draws The Joker sitting alone in a limousine contorting his body around the seat in a horrifying manner that really captures his presence. There are so many amazing images that change perspective and give “Batman” a cinematic feel that is larger than life.
I could spend an entire article lending praise toward Jimenez’s art but his visuals are not perfect in the issue. My one sole criticism that can detract from my enjoyment is the anatomy he lends towards his figures in certain panels. The female characters are not proportionate and can even be distracting in certain panels. With all of the visual effects and jaw-dropping framing, I’m a little bit shocked to see just how flimsy renditions of characters like Punchline and Batgirl can be in certain panels throughout the issue. Jimenez does a better job depicting the emotion from Harley Quinn but I would have liked the issue better if she was more proportionate and even less sexualized. This anatomy on male lead characters like Batman and The Joker is more balanced.
“Batman” #99 is a solid issue from an art and script perspective but if you dig beneath the surface the issue has a few blemishes. While this installment packs in a few surprises towards the end, this script definitely feels like it is building to something instead of paying off an issue or really getting to the point. In fact, I would have liked to see even more plot developments that tip their hand to the huge milestone issue next week. The Joker’s final panel serves to humiliate Batman after he suffered a devastating loss. Whenever The Joker pulls on the weaknesses of Bruce the issue becomes much more effective.
Continued belowJames Tynion was establishing more ground when he introduced The Designer villain but seemed to lose it when he fell back into The Joker. With so many “Batman” comic books published by Tynion and Jimenez, it is time for the duo to take a greater risk with the hero and subject manner. I have heard Tynion talk in interviews about the big things coming out of the “Batman” series in future issues. I still would have liked to have seen more developments already before the finale of this story. Punchline is a good start to introducing new Batman heroes and villains but there is way more ground for Tynion and Jimenez to break with DC’s premiere hero.
Even with a litany of problems holding it back from greatness, there’s a lot to like about “Batman” #99. If Tynion and Jimenez are willing to take the Dark Knight in a new direction this issue could be remembered more fondly for teasing a new direction for Bruce. I think Jimenez has a few scene-stealing moments here and I hope to see him continue to grow as an artist. Jimenez needs to make sure he’s giving as much attention to the anatomy of all characters in the book as opposed to the title heroes. I’m crossing my fingers that the contents of “Batman” #100 are going to be worth some of the hype that it took readers to get there. Also, the moments at the end of this issue suggest that Tynion and Jimenez haven’t revealed all the cards they are working with.
Final Verdict: 6.6 – “Batman” #99 is a solid issue of Batman with the promise of something greater on the horizon.
