Publisher: DC
Writers: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV
Artist: Yanick Paquette
Colourist: Nathan Fairbrian
Editor: Mark Doyle
Release Date: OUT NOW!
Price: $3.99

The bat’s back! Following the events of Convergence, Bruce Wayne lost his memory and Jim Gordon replaced Batman. But Gotham City is under siege from Mister Bloom, and Bruce feels he has to try to become Batman again, even if it kills him.

Most of the story in Batman #49 is a psychological discussion between Alfred and Bruce. The butler doesn’t want his master to use a machine to restore his memories, convinced it will kill Bruce. “Just please don’t say it,” Alfred begs. “I’m Batman,” Bruce responds. “Could I live with myself knowing what I know now, just walking away without having tried?”

The only complaint in Batman #49, centres around the explanation the machine must kill Bruce Wayne before completely restoring his memory is weak and lacks logic in the narrative. A better thought-out and more believable resolution would have been welcome. But if you can stretch your suspension of disbelief a bit more than you usually do in Batman #49, you may be able to accept it.

Yanick Paquette’s art is attractive and dynamic, and Nathan Fairbrian’s colouring adds subtle details to the visuals. Scott Synder ends his run on Batman, and like Grant Morrison before him, will restore the Caped Crusader before he leaves. That’s fine, and Snyder had a good run. Still, an ingenious conclusion would have been more satisfying and feel less like an anti-climax.

But Batman’s back, and that’s the most important thing in Batman #49, I guess.

 

Review: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker