There is a joke halfway through this book that ends with the punchline “a catastrophe”. Having read the latest issue of the long winding, going nowhere book, I can’t decide if writer Tom King was being sarcastic, accurate or meta-textual.
There is something of a confluence of criminal across the separate time periods as Catwoman and Joker hang out in the present and Selina and Oswald hang out in the future both with a smattering of bats. What follows is yet more conversations with a Christmas carol thrown in for good measure. I just don’t understand what Raven is doing in this book.
This issue serves to highlight some of the cracks in Tom King’s writing. It has often been said that pacing is a problem; in this case, I feel that I have read this issue several times already during this run. I understand the need to repeat story beats, but over several issues? I wonder that in the long run, if you read the whole series (when its finally completed), if you miss this issue out, will you have actually missed anything vital? I know a certain someone on The Definitive Crusade podcast who will lose heir !$*! over the the fake swearing that dominates the dialogue. Surely a writer of King’s reputation can write without the need for this trait in a Black Label 17+ book? If you need to resort to childish idioms then what is the point of the Black Label? I would question is there a need for that much swearing at all, but thats a different problem altogether. My final point with the writing is that the book is mis-names and probably has been for a while; there is hardly any Batman in it at all. Maybe Catwoman & Friends would be better suited.
I love Clay Mann’s art. He was the only reason to pick up the majority of Heroes in Crisis. Shame then that this book has Liam Sharp pulling out his Arkham Asylum styling in an effort to add gravitas to the book. Whilst some os this works, especial the Selina and Oswald sections, other times the style is too inconsistent when a traditional Catwoman head is added to an elongated over exaggerated body. I will say that Sharp manages to make a silk purse from Helena’s horrific Batwoman costume, though I have to ask, what is Raven doing in this book? With all that said, I did enjoy the colors from Sharp, again the Selina and Oswald scenes are the best with a fantastic amount of a speakeasy style which screams of dark things occurring in dark corners. Clayton Cowles is on hand as letterer extraordinaire, so you know what to expect; well placed text boxes ensure that the art remains the focus.
After an intriguing start, an over-extended middle section we are now in the stages of the final act. We have the pieces set in both the present and the future, leading to, hopefully, a strong and satisfying conclusion. Maybe that will explain what Raven is doing in this book!
Writing – 2 Stars
Art – 3 Stars
Colors – 3.5 Stars
Overall – 3 Stars
Written by; Tom King
Art & Colors by; Liam Sharp
Letters by; Clayton Cowles
Published by; DC Comics / Black Label
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