Batman #1
Written by: Tom King
Art by: David Finch
Following his successful Rebirth issue, Tom King brings in artist David Finch to give us the first chapter of a new Batman era. King proved in his rebirth issue he would be bringing his signature style to Gotham and hopefully maintain the excitement we have all had for this series since the beginning of the New 52. If issue #1 tells us anything, it is that King is really setting himself up to being Snyder’s perfect successor.
Batman #1 is a slow issue that deals with the interesting idea of how Batman would save a plane from falling. All his fellow Justice League members could land a falling plane without breaking a sweat, whereas Batman needs to use his wit to save as many people as he can. A passenger on the plane suggests that Gotham, as a city, doomed them. If they were in a better city, they would have immediately been saved but Gotham’s hero rose from the influences of the city. He is a Gotham hero and a Gotham hero is not a bright and all-powerful God like Superman. This becomes an even more interesting idea when King introduces two new players in Gotham who are bound to unsettle this dynamic. In one issue, King has managed to set up the brilliant conflict of Batman struggling with his place as Gotham’s protector. Can the city do better? Do they deserve better? Or does his darkness make him the only hero suitable for Gotham’s particular villainy.
After blowing everyone away with stunning visual in the rebirth issue, Mikel Janin takes a break and hands the pencilling duties over to David Finch. There are many mixed opinions on Finch’s artwork and I happen to be on the positive end of the debate. Though, Finch makes his style seem different in this debut issue. His rendition of Gotham has more grit than his work on series like Wonder Woman or Forever Evil. There is an upsetting tone to his artwork that naturally brings Gotham to life and bolsters King’s ideas of the city. Gotham has been a prominent character in Batman since the beginning of Snyder’s days and Finch’s moody artwork is doing its best to tonally represent the city’s darkness in every panel.
There is a new rule in comics: Tom King can do no wrong. Everywhere this man goes, comic book gold surfaces. Batman #1 has solidified this rule as King does not even falter when taking the reins to DC’s most daunting title. Batman’s world is written with a finesse and quietness here that feels just right. King has put the gears in motion for another comic classic. DC had some massive shoes to fill once Snyder left this title. They surprisingly seemed to have pulled off the job.
Art by: David Finch
Following his successful Rebirth issue, Tom King brings in artist David Finch to give us the first chapter of a new Batman era. King proved in his rebirth issue he would be bringing his signature style to Gotham and hopefully maintain the excitement we have all had for this series since the beginning of the New 52. If issue #1 tells us anything, it is that King is really setting himself up to being Snyder’s perfect successor.
Batman #1 is a slow issue that deals with the interesting idea of how Batman would save a plane from falling. All his fellow Justice League members could land a falling plane without breaking a sweat, whereas Batman needs to use his wit to save as many people as he can. A passenger on the plane suggests that Gotham, as a city, doomed them. If they were in a better city, they would have immediately been saved but Gotham’s hero rose from the influences of the city. He is a Gotham hero and a Gotham hero is not a bright and all-powerful God like Superman. This becomes an even more interesting idea when King introduces two new players in Gotham who are bound to unsettle this dynamic. In one issue, King has managed to set up the brilliant conflict of Batman struggling with his place as Gotham’s protector. Can the city do better? Do they deserve better? Or does his darkness make him the only hero suitable for Gotham’s particular villainy.
After blowing everyone away with stunning visual in the rebirth issue, Mikel Janin takes a break and hands the pencilling duties over to David Finch. There are many mixed opinions on Finch’s artwork and I happen to be on the positive end of the debate. Though, Finch makes his style seem different in this debut issue. His rendition of Gotham has more grit than his work on series like Wonder Woman or Forever Evil. There is an upsetting tone to his artwork that naturally brings Gotham to life and bolsters King’s ideas of the city. Gotham has been a prominent character in Batman since the beginning of Snyder’s days and Finch’s moody artwork is doing its best to tonally represent the city’s darkness in every panel.
There is a new rule in comics: Tom King can do no wrong. Everywhere this man goes, comic book gold surfaces. Batman #1 has solidified this rule as King does not even falter when taking the reins to DC’s most daunting title. Batman’s world is written with a finesse and quietness here that feels just right. King has put the gears in motion for another comic classic. DC had some massive shoes to fill once Snyder left this title. They surprisingly seemed to have pulled off the job.
A Look Inside
