Simone Di Meo is back on art this month as Batman looks into the Cult of Man-bat. This series has been rather disappointing as a whole so far but perhaps now that the recent subplots have been wrapped up, it can get down to business and Williamson can get things together. Let’s see!
Well, I can keep hoping right? This series just can’t resist shooting itself in the foot. There are things to like about this month’s installment but, as usual, it is equally balanced with annoying and/or generally bad ideas.
Just to get it out of the way, I’ll address the art first. The cover of this issue incorrectly credits Čižmešija as the artist, which got me excited for a second, but of course, in reality, Di Meo drew this issue. I do have to admit the art was a little clearer than in the past though. There are fewer slanting or angled panels and the art they contain is not quite as overstylized.
Despite that, the art still frequently lacks sequential clarity and I’m also realizing after a few months with Čižmešija that it doesn’t suit these scripts stylistically. These stories are fairly upbeat and fun but the art paints everything in a murky atmosphere that doesn’t do the narrative tone any favors.
Now, what I really liked about this issue? Flatline. As far as I’m concerned, the closer this series gets to being a sequel to Williamson’s Robin, the better. I do find some of Robin and Flatline’s banter in this issue can be a little much but I’ll take it because I enjoy their dynamic. Bruce giving Damian some relationship advice was also pretty cute and it’s nice to see their dynamic continue to be wholesome rather than violent. Overall, I’m happy with what’s going on with the protagonists.
Unfortunately, where I am less than impressed is the situation with the antagonists. Man-Bat’s cult remains one of the least interesting things I’ve seen in a bat-book in years. Williamson tries to justify why people are following him in this issue and it doesn’t help anything. It’s all just some Scott Snyder-style “Gotham City as a character” mumbo jumbo. “Batman needs to stop trying to force the city to be something it’s not, we need to change ourselves.” Whatever. It all feels like nonsense and to make matters worse Man-Bat might as well be a new character. There is nothing and I mean nothing about this interpretation of the Langstrom that tracks with any previous interpretation. At this point, he’s just one more dull scheming villain and he’s one wrong move away from reading as a parody.
Recommended if…
- You like cliches
- Simone Di Meo is your favorite artist
- Flatline is your girl
Overall
This is a comic that I can’t hate because of how much I enjoy the portrayal of Damian and Bruce (plus Flatline), no matter how much the plots make me want to. Until a new plotline takes center stage I don’t see that changing. For the foreseeable future, we will most likely be stuck in this world of uninteresting mischaracterized villains, nonsensical story choices and weak sequential art. Oh well, at least Bruce is still a nice guy.
Score: 5/10
DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purposes of this review
