Batman #692 Review

Sometimes I come home and wish I had a bigger living room, nicer furniture, or newer appliances. But then I’ll go on a trip where I’m away for awhile and I miss all my stuff more than anything in the world, counting down the days till I can get back home; you don’t miss something until it’s gone. Tony Daniel…I missed you! Welcome back! Batman #692 was great.

For starters, I think it’s worth noting that THIS might be the real Tony Daniel Batman story. Battle for the Cowl was far from being a “bad” Batman story but Daniel had the impossible task of taking a relatively small plot point in Grant Morrison’s grand Batman story and drawing it out to 3 issues that lacked any surprises worth the hype. But here he seems much more free to do his own thing and boy does it show. Gotta love that Tony Daniel art too. This might not be the best Batman ever drawn but certainly he brings his own uniqueness that feels like a breath of fresh air. I LOVE the Dick Grayson Batman. He looks much slender and more like a gymnast than the bulky body building Bruce from R.I.P. And those ears! That’s right, I’m a Kelly Jones and Tim Sale fan. I like my ears big and pointy. And they fit Dick Grayson perfectly. The colors were gorgeous; the red sky, the neon lights, and one page in particular (the WWII flashbook one) had me flipping back after finishing it just to stare for a bit. This isn’t to say I didn’t like Bagley’s art of late, just that Tony Daniel is continuing to outdo himself and it’s nice to have him back. I’ve enjoyed all his Batman work and at this rate it’s just a matter of time before he gets a shot at another title (Green Lantern? You heard it here first).

The start of Daniel’s story had me a little lost since it picks up from an almost forgotten about part of Battle for the Cowl but you eventually get caught up and the character moments and dialogue more than makes up for it. The Selina and Dick scene, although short, was especially interesting. It’s nice to see these two speaking to each other using first names and out of costume. However, I doubt it was a conversation they should have had at the club pool. Selina even says, “Richard, you may have the keys to the Batmobile, the Mansion, and now Wayne Tower but don’t think that entitles you to all of Bruce’s possessions.” Reeeeally? So your going to expose Bruce and Dick’s secret all in one sentence? With as fun as it was to read though I’m willing assume no one was listening; Selina and Dick somehow knew that. And if that doesn’t fly than I’m willing to bet on Bruce having invested in one of those flasher things from Men In Black.

[Spoilers start here...seriously]

After this it just gets better. We get the awesomeness that is Black Masks Ministry of Science team consisting of one of my favorites, Hugo Strange, and an oldie but a goody, Doctor Death. Black Mask has always had a thing for inflicting pain but this…this could get ugly. But as much as I loved this, it’s not made me flip over this issue. Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s long run on Batman was one of my favorites. I read Long Halloween and Dark Victory just about once a year just to revisit my favorite Batman story and what helped me become the comic book fan I am today, and to see not only a call back but an actual inclusion of that story into this, an in-continuity Batman story, absolutely made my day. Welcome back Falcone Family! I was completely taken by surprise to see Mario Falcone’s return to Gotham. And it didn’t feel gimicky at all either, it makes total sense. Tony Daniel’s meshing together of elements from Loeb’s run made me smile. Catwoman stealing from the Falcone’s? All too familiar. And the flash back scenes left me feeling all nostalgia (even busted out my copies and flipped through ‘em a little). And although it’s always been implied, whether or not Long Halloween and Dark Victory are actually in continuity, well, it doesn’t get more IN than this. Interesting to that Dick was there for the last half of it, as just a little boy. Needless to say bringing back the mob to Gotham has got me stoked for future stories. Batman vs. Mafia has always been a favorite. Mr. Daniel, thank you.

I wrote earlier that the Batman title as of late had been disappointing me and that it lacked a “Batman feel” to it [Summer of Batman; A Look Back], but with issue were to status quo. Tony Daniel is finally getting to tell HIS Batman story and in just one issue he’s reassured me that he’s just as excited as I am to get back to some good ol’ Batman action, despite there being a different Wayne under the Cowl. Something else that’s interesting? No Damien. Glad to see DC doesnt have to shove him in our face with every issue and it was a nice break to get an all Batman title.

Do yourself a favor…go get this issue. I don’t like handing out super high scores but after being a bit nervous this was everything I had hoped for and more.

Welcome back Maroni and those big ears!