Batman #154 is written by Chip Zdarsky and published by DC. Artwork is by Carmine Di Giandomenico, colours by Tomeu Morey and letters by Clayton Cowles. Main cover art (left) is byJorge Jimenz and Tomeu Morey.
Batman #154 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon ComiXology UK right here.
Synopsis
Murder has rocked the heart of Gotham! Batman and Jim Gordon will have to piece together the clues and discover the truth, no matter how dark. Has the Riddler really gone legit? Is the Court of Owls involved? Meanwhile, public sentiment is turning against Wayne Enterprises’ public initiatives, with new hero Commander Star sowing the seeds of discontent.
Review
The last issue of Batman was a mixed bag for me as it introduced a new hero in Gotham called Commander Star, and as of yet, I’m not too sure that I’m following exactly what Chip Zdarsky has in mind for its current story, but there are some great elements that were intriguing, such as Nygma’s business venture and Mayor Nakano’s involvement. In the end of the last issue, the mayor met his untimely death. This issue opens up with Batman and Gordon making an attempt to do some detective work, which is an issue for them as Gordon is no longer commissioner and Bullock is not ready to risk his job.
Zdarsky has dropped us into an intense mystery for his final arc, killing off a character that has played a supporting role during his tenure and also providing a long list of suspects. Chris Nakano was not on anyone’s good side; his wife and kid had just left, and Vandal was on his way to being fired by him and the two main suspects, Nygma and Leonid Kull, who we still don’t know too much about except that he’s the new head for the Court of Owls. There is a lot going on with this run so far, and I only wonder if Zdarsky will be able to give us a satisfying ending with this. On top of it all, Bruce might have a brother that was hidden away from him, someone who is the heir to Wayne Enterprises.
We get the return of Commander Star, a character that I’ve still not warmed up to yet, and that’s likely due to me not knowing what his current play is and how it’s going to fit into this overarching story that already has a lot going for it. I like the idea that Zdarsky is playing around with currently, making the readers secondguess who the real villain of this arc is, but with only a few issues left to close it out and that shocking and confusing ending with Batman and Gordon, I start to worry if this will play out the way that Zdarsky has intended.
The team dynamic between Batman and Gordon has always been one that’s fun to read, and I think it works well even more now considering Gordon’s status with him no longer being commissioner; it feels more down to earth and also gritier. Carmine Di Giandomenico’s art is just phenomenal throughout the issue, but there are two moments where it stands out. The first is during Batman and Gordon’s conversation with Bullock, and the second is this shot with Batman standing in front of his Batmobile. Tomeu Morey’s colours add to all the surrounding scenery; the lighting, the fire, the smoke—it all comes together to create this striking image that will be ingrained into your mind.
Verdict
Batman #154 has some interesting elements surrounding it, but ultimately, it feels overstuffed with many storylines. It’s starting to becoming worrisome if this arc will get a satisfying conclusion. It’ll be rather impressive if Zdarsky does pull it off, but for now, I’d rather stay cautious. Another issue where Carmine Di Giandomenico and Tomeu Morey’s combined efforts help provide the issue with the legs it needs.
⭐⭐⭐.5
