Batman #8 is written by Matt Fraction and published by DC. Artwork is by Ryan Sook, colours by Tomeu Morey and letters by Clayton Cowles. Main cover art (left) is also by Jorge Jiménez.
Batman #8 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
A hero. A villain. A reporter. Three old men, on one night in Gotham, each have encounters that will reverberate across their city forever. Series writer Matt Fraction is joined by sensational guest artist Ryan Sook for an unforgettable new chapter of the Caped Crusader’s ongoing story.
Review
After nimbly reintroducing Joker last month Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez‘s Batman is pivoting this week to something a little different. With a big summer ahead of them, leading into the “Bad Seeds” event later in the year, the team is laying the groundwork for big things to come. A trio of stories, brought to life by guest artist Ryan Sook this month, explore different corners of the city, giving unique viewpoints on a Gotham poised for disaster.
Fraction and Jiménez‘s Batman has only been with us for 8 short months and yet their interpretation of Gotham feels like decades in the making. With a little foresight and forward planning the pair has set up a solo Bat-title which feels easily capable of balancing the three stories utilised this month to take the city’s temperature. In breaking with their traditional format the pair is able to tease upcoming storylines, show us a different side to Bruce’s vigilante alter-ego and explore tensions on the streets.
Dubbed “Three Old Men One Night in Gotham”, our story opens with Alan Scott – aka Green Lantern – arriving in the city. It seems he’s been summoned to meet with the Dark Knight but is quickly sidetracked by a street gang. The ensuing chaos gives the book a sudden burst of (green) energy and folds Batman into the storyline neatly. Alan and Bruce have a fun dynamic which is teased out through the rest of the book but first we need to see them busting a few skulls.
Elsewhere in Gotham, reporter Jack Dean rides the L Train and debates with a young passenger the merits of why people do what they do. It’s a wonderfully simplified way of seeing two everyday Gothamites debating why Bruce, Dick and the Bat-Family do what they do every night. It’s also juxtaposed perfectly against Bruce and Alan’s coffee and the shady dealings of one Commissioner Savage during a meeting with new Mayor, Pamela Isley.
The Savage/Isley meeting is easily the most insightful of the three stories. It signals ahead to “Bad Seeds” without being clunky about it. The dialogue between the two is pitch perfect in setting up a conflict that will easily push the Bat-Family to breaking point. Savage has always been a man of words but Fraction just seems to effortlessly dig into that and find the most eloquent ways for him to turn even the most staunch vigilante supporter into an adversary.
The moral messaging of Fraction’s story is simple yet methodical in its approach. We see that Bruce simply wants to be seen by the kind (and not so kind) citizens of Gotham. Particularly in areas that seem to be most in need. Even though that visibility is about providing reassurance and protection against Gotham’s dastardly criminals, Fraction finds a way to make the moment feel warm. It’s a softer approach to Batman which I really welcomed when so much of the rest of the book is signalling bad times ahead.
Likewise the duplicity in Savage’s manipulation of Pamela, getting her to sign a declaration of war against the Bat-Family is clean and unmistakable. This is it folks. Gotham will no longer tolerate masked vigilantes and we sure know it has quite a few of them. This no doubt ties into the impetus behind the upcoming Barbara Gordon series and countless other Bat-adjacent stories.
Ryan Sook steps in as guest artist this month giving Batman a slightly different look. Sook’s style isn’t a million miles away from Jiménez and so the two sit side-by-side with little distraction. Sook plays into the darker corners of Gotham a little more, accentuating shadows for a slightly less bright look than Jiménez. Although it’s worth noting this book plays out almost exclusively at night so that helps add to the atmosphere. Tomeu Morey’s colour work helps delineate between the three stories perfectly. The blue of Batman’s cowl cuts through his scenes whilst the green of the Mayor’s office plays into the Poison Ivy palette.
“Operation Peregrine” will kick off properly in next month’s issue but we leave Batman #8 under no false pretences as to what is coming next. Hats off to Matt Fraction for creating an impeccable calm before the storm…
Verdict
Batman #8 is the calm before the storm, masterfully constructed. Fraction uses three interlocking stories to set the stage for all-out war against the Bat-Family with a precision that makes the threat feel genuinely earned.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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