Batman #38

by F.D. White on January 29, 2015

Written by: Scott Snyder
Pencils by: Greg Capullo
Inks by: Danny Miki
Colors by: FCO Plascencia


I recently read an interview with Scott Snyder where he claimed that Endgame was originally an idea for his [and artist Greg Capullo's] last arc on Batman. That's not the case anymore, but it's pretty plain to see that influence. This is an epic battle of life and death, of identity, of immortality between Batman, the Joker, and the city of Gotham itself. It's next level shit, in layman's terms.

The stakes are higher than ever (even in Snyder's terms). We've seen Batman struggle constantly in each arc by Snyder, but there's always a sliver of hope in each that Batman will prevail...because he's Batman, and Batman can't fail, right? But in Endgame, whatever sliver of hope that was left at the end of issue 37 is not present in 38. Snyder is making it abundantly clear that Batman is outmatched. That what he's going against, in SOME way, is beyond human, beyond even Batman. With twists and turns, allies falling left and right, Batman finds himself turning to an unlikely ally that really ties together Snyder's run. In fact, this issue features a few winks and throwbacks to previous arcs that really help to solidfy (if you didn't believe already) that this is an incredible run that feels like one giant dive into the psyche of Batman.

I say this time and time again, as great as Snyder's writing is (he'd do an excellent Batman novel), this is a comic, and it isn't a comic without art. Luckily, Snyder is working with one of the most talented art teams in the business. Every level of their work from pencilling to inking to coloring is a mastercraft. They knock it out of the park. There's a panel inside that I spent looking at for close to a minute just because the level of detail to the bricks in a building was mesmerizing.

As Batman heads towards an uncertain fate, one that potentially lead to a completely altered Gotham, I'm left with a thought. This isn't the end, instead it's the start of a new beginning, one that I'm terribly excited for.

Our Score:

9/10

A Look Inside