Batman #149 is written by Chip Zdarsky and published by DC. Artwork is by Michele Bandini & Steve Lieber, colours by Nick Filardi and letters by Clayton Cowles. Main cover art (left) is by Jimenez.
Batman #149 is available from today, in print and in digital platforms where all good comics books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
When confronted with the totality of your life, and all the choices that led you to where you are, do you build on the ashes, or rise from them? The Batman who is left standing will have to answer this question quickly, as someone is already sifting through those ashes, with an eye toward saving the world!
Review
This is the final issue of Batman which is slated to release before the events of DC’s Absolute Power kick off in July. So writer Chip Zdarsky is using the time to give a poignant and reflective prologue to the recent “Dark Prisons” storyline, tying up much of the remaining plot threads.
I hadn’t anticipated on seeing the book pick up some of these points so early. Particularly the story of the Bruce-clone which Failsafe/Zur-En-Arrh created to act as his Robin. Some of the storytelling feels a little accelerated in order to push in to the upcoming event storyline. But that certainly doesn’t take away from the impact of events on Bruce and the rest of the Bat-Family.
We pick right up with the young clone as the real Bruce – back in his normal Batsuit – catches up with him on the streets of Gotham. The two tussle for a moment before the older Bat is able to subdue his clone and bring him back to the Brownstone cave for tests. Zdarsky is certainly canny in how the story plays out. In my mind I had decided that this would be a new character, a rival to Damian who Bruce would have to reconcile becoming a parental figure towards. Instead the story plays out with a touch of the reverse Benjamin Button as the clone is rapidly aging in order to make him a capable fighter.
Much of the issue focusses on how Bruce reacts to learning his mirror image only has limited time left to live. He sees it as one final challenge set by Zur-En-Arrh which forces him to look inwards for solutions. If Zur was able to speed up the ageing process then Bruce believes the cure must be locked in his mind somewhere. Unable to access it, Bruce is forced to face his own shortcomings and his new found doubt in his own abilities. There are hints to the overall direction of travel as Bruce confides in Tim and the two discuss his new sense of openness. There are also hints to what might come next as Damian clashes with his father about the now missing Failsafe body.
Ultimately the story of Bruce and Bruce tees up a new status quo for the Bat-Family. One which is beautifully cemented in the books final moments. Zdarsky takes a leaf out of Tom Taylor’s book as Bruce seeks to honour the legacy of Alfred. It’s different to how Dick has used the name but both work to honour a man who gave everything to protect his family. I’ve talked at length in the past few months about the way the Batman book has challenged and deconstructed what it means to be Batman. We’ve seen Bruce worn to breaking point and beyond. But all that woe has all lead to the wonderfully written moment of levity which ties up Batman #149. A rare scene to take place in daylight as the family gathers to meet with Bruce.
Aside from a couple of contrivances which seek to undo recent changes in Batman’s character, issue #149 is a really satisfying end to everything Zdarsky has been building. Though there maybe some serious strife ahead over the summer, I’m excited to see where the Bat-Family goes next when the series returns to normal storytelling later in the year.
Verdict
Batman #149 is a touching coda to the “Dark Prisons” arc. Picking up more on the emotional consequences of Bruce’s ordeal, Chip Zdarsky proves that there is still hope for the Dark Knight.
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