Batman #9 is written by Matt Fraction and published by DC. Artwork is by Ryan Sook, inks by Wade Von Grawbadger, colours by Tomeu Morey and letters by Clayton Cowles. Main cover art (left) is also by Jorge Jiménez.
Batman #9 is available now, 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
After making a sinister deal with Mayor Isley, Commissioner Vandal Savage initiates “Operation Peregrine,” sending his brutal TUCO squads across Gotham City on a singular mission: Bring in the Batman! Batman and his team must destroy and abandon their hideouts, safeguard their data, and escape the long arm of the law… but not everyone will make it safely through the night!
Review
It’s getting tougher and tougher to be a vigilante in Gotham City. As Batman #9 hits comic book stores today Commissioner Savage and Mayor Isley have enacted a plan to take down the entire Bat-Family and our heroes are doing their best to react to get to safety. As Matt Fraction tees up the events of Barbara Gordon: Breakout and the upcoming event storyline events are moving at a pace even Bruce is struggling to keep up with.
Now I know what you’re thinking… another event when the city has turned on Batman and the Bat-Family. But stick with me. Fraction is approaching Operation Peregrine very differently to past similar stories. We’re used to seeing Bruce refusing to back down and standing up against forces which are working against him. Instead this issue is all about each member of the Bat-Family retreating from their homes and hideouts in order to find safety and shelter from Savage’s forces.
The level of jeopardy is impressive and also sustained right across the issue thanks to the inclusion of so many Batman supporting cast members. Regardless of whether you’re a fan of Damian, Barbara, Tim, Steph or Duke, all their lives are in danger and all are moving parts in what is essentially Savage’s game of cat and mouse. Also working in this issue’s favour is the fact most readers will fail to see twists coming due to the clear and present setup for Barbara Gordon: Breakout. It feels like that’s what this issue is teeing up. But boy is there so much more going on…
Fraction is never one to focus on a single point of conflict, so whilst that pressure on Bruce is sustained right through Batman #9 that doesn’t mean there isn’t time for a little father-son bonding with Damien. A short scene finds the two discovering more common ground and actually working together well which is something DC has shied away from in recent years. Adding some of the Dynamic back into the duo is really welcome, particularly arriving during a moment of such intense chaos for all involved.
Ryan Sook and inker Wade Von Grawbadger are given a lot of plates to spin this issue. Multiple members of the cast, a lot of (literally) moving parts, all underpinned with that sense of danger. So it’s great to feel the crackle of energy coming off the book whilst reading. There’s absolutely no denying that Batman #9 is a page-turner but the credit for earning that status belongs with the whole creative team and not just Fraction’s storytelling.
Interestingly Batman #9 is a very bright book. This feels like a scenario which would traditionally happen maybe in the middle of the night, filling the issue with dark shadowy corners. Perhaps part of Savage’s element of surprise was trying to take down the Bat-Family in broad daylight. Either way Tomeu Morey has Batman #9 bathed in light. Oddly that lighting doesn’t equate to a more saturated, colourful final look. Instead there’s a sense that some of the colour has been washed out. Something evident in the preview pages above.
Verdict
Batman #9 is a frantic, desperate attempt to get the Bat-Family to safety before Vandal Savage can enact his plans. It’s fast-paced, edge of your seat storytelling which some energetic artwork to boot. I’m excited to see where this seismic event will go next.
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