Writers: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Ray Fawkes, John Layman, Tim Seeley
Artists: Jason Fabok
Colors: Brad Anderson
Letters: Nick Napolitano
Covers: Jason Fabok & Tomeu Morey, Andy Kubert, Jonathan Glapion & Brad Anderson
Review by Scott Keys
Easily one of the most anticipated releases of the year, Batman Eternal #1 definitely hits the ground running and begins what looks to be one of the epic Batman runs! Taking a page from their own history, DC Comics assembled a Batman “brain-trust” to craft this 52 issue weekly series, and if the other 51 issues are anything like issue 1, we are in for a real treat!
Before I get into the writing, I wanted to take some time to sing the praises of the art team, Jason Fabok and Brad Anderson. I’ve been a fan of Fabok’s work since his run on Detective Comics, but I believe that Batman Eternal is his coming out party! He truly captures the look and feel of Gotham, making the city as much a character in the story as the capes and cops. He does such a fantastic job of showing a wide range of emotion: trepidation, smugness, determination, heroism… WOW, nailed every one!
Of course, adding to that beautiful line work are the amazing colors of Anderson. His use of shadow, mood-lighting, and somber tones of Gotham and its inhabitants really adds depth to Fabok’s line work and adds a whole other level of mood and emotion. An absolutely gorgeous book!
Now, on to the brain-trust. You figure, going in to a 52 issue weekly series, that things might move slowly. That is definitely not the case here! As I said before, the script hits the ground running and doesn’t let up off the gas! First off, great foreshadowing with the opening scene actually being “the end” of the story. A bold move that I’m sure will pay-off with this talented team of writers!
I loved the fast pace of the script, it added that extra level of danger to Gordon’s troubles, and showed just how much of a BAMF Batman is (as if you didn’t already know that). The writers also do a great job of really making Gordon feel like Batman’s partner, rather than the obligatory cop on the scene. I especially liked when Gordon says “This is the part where I turn away and you’re gone, right?,” but Batman offers to stay. I felt this shows how much respect Bats has for Gordon, especially in his time of need. By strengthening the Batman/Gordon relationship, the writers are going to make the audience that much more invested in this epic story and to the trials and tribulations ahead for our new-found Dynamic Duo.
I know that the prospect of 52 consecutive weeks of a single story seems daunting, but if you jump aboard this train now, you won’t regret it! Batman Eternal #1 does NOT disappoint, and I look forward to this next year of entertaining Batman stories. Such an amazing way to kick off Batman’s 75th Anniversary celebration!
Story: 4.5 / 5
Art: 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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