Batman #22 (review)
“Zero Year – Secret City: Part Two”
Writer: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV (back-up)
Artists: Greg Capullo with Danny Miki, Rafael Albuquerque (back-up)
Colors: FCO Plascencia, Dave McCaig (back-up)
Letters: Nick Napolitano, Taylor Esposito (back-up)
Cover: Greg Capullo and FCO Plascencia
Review by Scott Keys
After reading last issue, I was anticipating the release of Batman #22 to continue the Zero Year story arc. I have to say that Scott Snyder has yet to let me down! This issue is full of action, and a couple of amazing character moments involving Bruce, one with Alfred and one with Edward Nygma.
First off, I’ve loved Greg Capullo’s art since his Spawn days, but the man just continues to amaze! He is able to convey emotion with the eyes, be it fear, contempt, shock, joy, what have you. And his layouts and storytelling are fantastic! There is one scene in particular, the aforementioned Bruce/Nygma scene, where Nygma is telling a story of an ancient board game while weaving a riddle into his story. The panel layout is truly spectactular, and their exchange has me excited for some more Riddler in the future.
Snyder is perfect ON Batman and perfect FOR Batman, in my opinion. Snyder’s run on Detective before the New 52 was stellar, and Zero Year is the perfect opportunity for him to add to Batman’s backstory and mythos without trying to shoehorn them in. If Zero Year turns out half as well as Court of Owls, and it looks like it will be, we will be in for a treat!
Snyder and Tynion’s back-up features have been great as well! Albuquerque’s art is that wonderful balance of gritty and sleak. His style was made for Batman! What is great about the back-up features are that they call back to the main story, which is what any good back-up does: it backs up the main story. It’s a fun tale about Bruce’s training on how to think “outside the box,” and be more ingenius in his methods. Great supplement to the main story, even calling back to Bruce’s “one time” seeing the Sphynx.
I have to say that I hope the Snyder/Capullo era doesn’t end for a very long time, because I think they are a true “Dynamic Duo!” I cannot recommend this book highly enough, and you’re only 2 issues in to Zero Year, so go ahead and pick it up.
Story: 4.5 / 5
Art: 4.5 / 5
Overall: 4.5 / 5
Scott Keys is a father, Butler University grad, pharmacist, and full-time comic nerd. You can follow his adventures around the spinner-rack and his Incoherent Comic Book Ramblings on:
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