Comic Review: Batman #6
Batman #6 does feel like the end of an act with the stage now set for a far grander adventure.
Last issue saw Batman enter the topsy turvy world of The Court Of Owls in one of the best issues of 2012. Batman #6 sure had one hard act follow as our hero finally comes face to face with his new enemy.
Picking up moments after the end of #5, Bruce Wayne has been mortally wounded with The Court ready to decide his fate. The tone from #5 is thankfully still present while making some rather drastic changes to the books presentation. The issue plays out in almost real time as Batman resorts to a final burst of animalistic adrenalin to fight off The Court. Theres surprisingly little narration or inner monologue from Bruce (which is something seeing as this is written by Scott Snyder) and it works. This issue is set over such a short period of time (my guessing roughly five minutes), that its lack of narration doesnt become a problem. Some people may see this as the battle issue of the series due to its high amount of action, however there is still a strong level of substance in every page, which doesnt disappoint and continues to further the story.
With Snyder taking a step back on narration, artist Greg Capullo is able to take center stage as he uses Batmans delirious state to his advantage. Batman is drugged and close to death, this leads to some fascinating moments on how Batman sees his enemy in this state. The porcelain masks of The Court become feathered, animalistic and hungry. Bruces mental representation of the battle once the tide begins to turn in his favor is an fantastic scene for how it is shown visually, bringing the characters back to an animalistic representation was a surprising move and something that isnt usually seen in a Batman book.
Batman #6 does feel like the end of an act with the stage now set for a far grander adventure. By the final page you know The Court are ready for an all out war and Im more excited than ever for this summers Night Of The Owls event because of it. A majority of the time, a storys conclusion is never as satisfying as the build and the journey to get there, but Batman #6 sure does come close to being as good as its predecessor.
rating: 4.5