Publisher: DC
Writers: James Tynion IV
Artist: Riley Rossmo, Brian Level
Colourists: Ivan Plascencia, Jordon Boyd
Editor: Mark Doyle
Release Date: OUT NOW!
Price: $3.99

It’s a new day for the Batman series as a new writer and artist take the reins. The result in Batman #52 is a mixed bag. The overall message, that overcoming adversity is both a psychological journey and physical journey, and that love is the strongest weapon, is well-received even if it’s a bit heavy-handed.

Batman’s psychology has always been about how he copes with his parents’ murder, and in Batman #52, a new concept is introduced: a list titled “How to Move On” young Bruce began writing after his loss. The list’s existence emerges when a new villain named Crypsis, using technology to phase through matter like Marvel’s Kitty Pryde and villain Ghost, confronts the Bat.

The new antagonist for Batman #52 tries too hard to be interesting and fails somewhat short, orating to his victims and sometimes talking in the third person. Of course, Batman beats him easily enough (the Caped Crusader is bulletproof now, apparently), so there’s no real suspense there. In Batman #52 Crypsis is just a medium for the message.

For Batman #52 Riley Rossmo’s art is a sea change from Greg Capullo’s approach. Rossmo is more stylistic but still well-crafted. However, there is a sense the artwork feels like it would fit a Spider-Man story better than Batman. Colors by Ivan Plascencia and Jordon Boyd are pleasing and change to fit the mood of Batman #52.

Writer James Tynion IV’s efforts here have merit, but reinventing Batman’s origins is a tricky business. Unfortunately, Batman #52 doesn’t stack up to such entertaining and meaningful stories like Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One mini-series. Yet in Batman #52 there’s promise, and the need to see where Tynion goes from here.

 

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker