Deron Generally
Deron Generally
Batman #55
DC Comics
Written by Tom King
Art by Tony S. Daniel
Inks by Tony S. Daniel and Danny Miki
Colors by Tomeu Morey
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Batman and Nightwing stalk the night like the old days when they were partners. Dick is making jokes and trying to find a way to reconnect with Bruce. As the two take out threats on the streets, A nondescript man enters Gotham from overseas. A quiet, unassuming man with a missing arm who seems to write notes everywhere he goes.
As the dynamic duo continues their patrol throughout the city, this quiet man tours Gotham as well. He eats at a local restaurant and listens to the conversations of its citizens before putting his plan in motion. A plan that will put him on a collision course with the dark knight after he commits an act that hits Bruce too close to home and in a place that Batman thought was safe.
The slow buildup to the climax of this issue was brilliantly executed by Tom King. It worked on every level with both mystery, suspense and drama. The juxtaposition between the Batman/Nighwing story and the mystery man was well paced and kept me guessing what was going to happen right up until the end. Even when I started to get a sense of what COULD happen, I was surprised by what DID happen and that is the mark of a great read. Giving Bruce and Dick those moments in the story where they were just being the team they were was a great addition that reminded the reader why these characters endure.
Daniel’s art in this issue is amazing. I loved every panel, especially the difference between the Batman/Nightwing story and the mystery mans. The Batman panels are varied and showcase both the power of the heroes and the beauty of the city while the one’s featuring the mystery man are relegated to nine box panels filled with close-ups that symbolize the narrow focus of this character. They add more mystery and, in my opinion, more menace to this man because he is so focused on his task. I loved this issue on several levels and I can’t wait to see where this is going.
Batman #55
