Batman #152 is written by Chip Zdarsky and published by DC. Pencils are by Mike Hawthorne, inks by Adriano Di Benedetto, colours by Romulo Fajardo Jr. and letters by Clayton Cowles. This issue also features a backup story written by Kelly Thompson with artwork and colours by Mattia De Iulis. Main cover art (left) is by Salvador Larroca and Matt Herms.
Batman #152 is available from today, in print and on digital where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
In a thrilling Absolute Power tie-in, Batman and Catwoman must find the key to Amanda Waller’s plans in an extremely remote—and shockingly dangerous—location! Living (dying?) up to their name, some of the Suicide Squad won’t be coming back from their mission, but will Batman and Catwoman stay free to fight another day?! Plus, a Birds of Prey backup finds the Birds facing Waller’s minions in an unexpected adventure!
Review
We’re returning to the planet Czarnia today as Batman and Catwoman continue their mission to find a Mother Box. Chip Zdarsky’s latest issue of the flagship Batman title is another entry in the ongoing Absolute Power event but also holds some potentially major clues to DC’s upcoming All In Special.
The Bat and the Cat are in a very precarious position as we pick up the story this week. Stranded on this desolate world they may have uncovered a macabre shrine to lost members of the Waller family. But they’re also found themselves facing off against the force of the current Suicide Squad including Waller’s own nephew Deadeye. Their confrontation and the consequences of it form the background of this tie-in story before bringing our heroes back to Earth with a bang.
Batman #152 is more of a traditional tie-in event comic. Whilst Absolute Power has sought to bring more legitimacy to its tie-ins. But with this issue being predominantly an extended fight sequence it feels less essential to the bigger picture. That being said this is Chip Zdarsky so there is plenty of character development which is worthy of your time. There’s a particular concern which Bruce harbours for Selina given the absurdity of their situation. Seeing him concerned that she may end up trapped on this far-flung planet is a nice touch and adds depth to the conflict.
Zdarsky gets the opportunity to play in to a couple of key moments in Absolute Power. We haven’t had too much time to dive beneath the surface but Czarnia has become a monument to the Waller family. Batman uses this to phase Deadeye and steal the opportunity to collect both the Mother Box and a way back home. The accompanying origin story for Amanda Waller playing out in the Absolute Power Origins book will likely tie in to this. But with the character’s future uncertain after the event I can’t help but wonder if she’ll end up trapper here too.
The other major player factoring in to DC All In Special #1 who rears their head here is fascinating to see. It’s a major moment in DC continuity so to have it happen in a tie-in book is a risky move. Whilst there’s essentially no context to it. The return has major ramifications and has to be something that Batman is going to focus on for the remainder of the event. His reaction alone is enough to provoke fear in the audience. The panel of their shadowy frame standing in the distance is beautifully executed by artist Mike Hawthorne.
Batman #152 features a Birds of Prey backup story from that series’ writer Kelly Thompson. It acts as a coda for the team’s last adventure, bringing them in to Absolute Power ready for where we find them in today’s third issue of the main event title. Thompson has more than proved her ability to write each of these characters having also defined a great new relationship between them.
The backup nudges those relationship forwards, shifting several of the chess pieces around the board. It feels like the story is mainly a narrative device to shift Black Canary from team leader to solo adventurer. Setting up a potential conflict between lovers as she sets out to figure out exactly what’s going on with Oliver Queen. It’s short and punchy but looks incredible thanks to the artwork by Mattia Di Iulis.
Verdict
Batman #152 is a more traditional event tie-in than we’re used to with DC’s Absolute Power. But with writer Chip Zdarsky offered the opportunity to navigate two major plot developments it still has a lot to offer. A fun backup story featuring the Birds of Prey shows what guest artist Mattia Di Iulis is capable of when handed the keys to one of the DCU’s greatest teams.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
