After a bit of a transition run, the next chapter of Bruce Wayne and Batman’s life begins here, in Batman #125. With a new creative team, the comic is a “fresh” start that creates a jumping on point for new readers while continuing the status-quo and themes from the recent runs.
Chip Zdarsky takes over as the writer for the series focusing on the unsettled status that is Bruce Wayne and Batman. After the end of the previous “major arc”, Bruce has lost his fortune forcing him to go back to basics as Batman and dial back his lifestyle. The playboy façade for the vigilante doesn’t work anymore and in his place is an aging, worn down man who is trying to find his new footing.
Zdarsky kicks things off with an attack on the wealthy of Gotham. Someone is targeting them due to their “elite” status, leaving bodies in their wake. All of that comes off as rather shallow in the execution but it sets off a nice examination as to who Bruce Wayne and Batman are. What is the man without his wealth and what is his relationship to that community?
Zdarsky also uses it to shake up Gotham’s status-quo even further killing off a legacy character which creates a gap in leadership and kicks off a gang war. That’s explored further in a back-up story also written by Zdarsky.
The art by Jorge Jimenez for the main story is fantastic. With color by Tomeu Morey and lettering by Clayton Cowles there’s a very dramatic flair to the visuals. It comes off almost as swashbuckling at times, much more Zorro than the high-tech Batman we’ve seen in the past. There’s some fantastic panels in the comic which really drive home the moment delivering memorable visuals that drive home the point and the story. The art for the back-up is by Belén Ortega with color by Luis Guerrero and lettering by Cowles. It delivers a bit more of a traditional style with some great design and a bit of action. Where the art, and story, really stand out is the more comedic moments involving a lawyer robot. It works and works well.
Batman #125 is a decent start to the new creative team’s take. It lays it out that things aren’t “normal” in Batman’s world and something is “off”. But, what? It embraces what has happened to Bruce/Batman and focuses on a person who has been beaten down. At the same time, there’s been a major shakeup involving a villain that points to some major revelations and changes. It all comes together for a rather intriguing start and a solid beginning for new and longtime readers.
Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Jorge Jimenez, Belén Ortega
Color: Tomeu Morey, Luis Guerrero Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.35 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
Source: Graphic Policy
