Batwing #23 Review
“Smash”
Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Penciller: Eduardo Pansica
Inker: Julio Ferreira
Colorist: Paul Mounts
Letterer: Steve Wands
Cover: Ken Lashley with Jason Wright
Review by Scott Keys
When DC launched the New 52 in 2011, I picked up every book to try them out. Batwing wasn’t really my cup of tea, so I dropped it after 2 issues. Just a few months ago, Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray took over the book, gave us a new Batwing, and tied it more closely to the other Bat-books. This is more my cup of tea! Issue 23 acts as a bridge, finishing the Marabunta story and then introducing the New 52 version of Lady Vic.
I’ll give any book with Palmiotti and Gray on the cover, and I’m glad I came back to Batwing. The book doesn’t feel isolated from the rest of the Bat-books anymore, and with Luke Fox donning the Batwing costume now, I have a more vested interest in the character and his adventures. I love that they chose Lucius Fox’s son, Luke, as the new Batwing. We get that “young hero trying to do good but hiding from the family” vibe. The perfect example from this issue is the fact he save his father, but in doing so, his home is looted. His family then blames him for not being a responsible adult. Great stuff! I also like their new version of Lady Vic, and can’t wait to read the next issue.
Eduardo Pansica has impressed me on pencils as well. His dynamic storytelling have been great, and lends itself well to Palmiotti and Gray’s script. He’s able to give us the “edge of your seat” action with some great character moments sprinkled in. Some of the art is a little graphic, but the story most definitely calls for it since we’re dealing with killers and assassins. I feel that Mr. Pansica is an artist on the rise! Some truly great work here.
Check out Batwing #23, a perfect jumping on point, and a book definitely on it’s way up the charts! Palmiotti and Gray don’t disappoint and Pansica is a rising star!
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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