Batman #50
DC COMICS
Writer: Scott Snyder
Pencils: Greg Capullo
Inks: Danny Miki
Colors: FCO Plascencia
Epilogue Art: Yanick Paquette
Epilogue Colours: Nathan Fairbairn
Letters: Steve Wands
Editor: Mark Doyle
Batman #50 is the finale to the ‘Superheavy’ story arc and one of the most hopeful and inspiring issues of Batman ever. It’s been a good run. Sadly all good things must come to a close. However, with issue #51 nearing us with each passing breath, it’s safe to say with an ending like this as it stands right now, I am 100% satisfied with it and letting go has been made a lot easier.
This double sized issue marks the return of Bruce Wayne, and it’s delightfully written without a doubt in my mind, however the real shining star of this issue is Jim and Gotham itself. Yes, I literally mean that. Gotham is personified in this through the dialogue of Jim and Bruce as a sort of challenger, forcing them to explore their inner selves and why they fight, but it’s also key to the character study of Batman himself. I’m not going to say too much about the plot but I’m happy that they’ve conveyed the more heroic and compassionate side of the Bat rather than the brooding one in this arc. As usual though, the story is full of excitement, action, and intricately constructed storylines.
The thing about Snyder’s run though isn’t that its action packed, full of excitement and the fact that it’s astonishing in its scope, but the fact that Batman is remarkably human. Redefining his relationship with the Bat-family, the Joker, the villains, Gotham and his friends. This Humanity isn’t something that every Batman has, but as a fan of the Bruce W. Timm’s animated series and the character himself throughout the ages, it’s something I enjoy. It gives the character and the story heart like no other, and it’s why I find him to be an embodiment of justice and even hope to Gotham. Yes, Batman is supposed to be scary and darn near godlike. But behind the mask, he’s just like you and I. I literally can’t praise the masterful characterization in this comic enough and I would stop at that but there’s one more thing ties into this.
Batman’s new costume.
Batman’s new costume isn’t very different. It still resembles the iconic look, with Greg Capullo’s New 52 subtleties, but it also adds a little bit of an indigo-blue gradient within the inner cape and a Bat symbol + utility belt lined in Gold. It’s almost like a halo, so I guess you can say he’s not only the Bat of Gotham but also the angel of Gotham. You might think that sounds a little lame but if you’re asking me, it makes a lot of sense and the design as usual is really really good. I mean it is Capullo… he’s one of the best artists at DC and the comic book industry itself. Couple him with the awesome colours from FCO Plascencia and you have a masterfully drawn book. Which is what this is, a colourful and dark representation of Batman and I love what they’ve done with it. Capullo’s also really dynamic with his style so it’s always eye-candy as you flick from page to page.
This book was a fairly bittersweet one to me but I really loved the emotion, excitement and thoughtfulness put into it and the entire series itself. 5/5 it’s a BUY.
-Mahmoud Ghazawi
