PREVIEW: Snyder & Capullo's "Batman" #14

[Rakiduam]

The problem I could see in an story like this, is that for the way Batman’s universe is right now there’s nothing you can take from him, so there wouldn’t be any real consequents. Bruce, Jason and Damian don’t have anything to lose in this, Dick, Barbara and Tim do, but this is not their story nor they are the Joker real objective and whatever happens to them is not going to happen in Batman.


Now if Alfred dies is a whole new game.

[HXHAlex]

I'd rather ANYONE BUT Alfred die

[DarkKnghtJared]

Seriously, this. Snyder tells people what he's going to try to do in interviews, and then when reviewers read his issues (where the character is speaking an awful lot like snyder did in his interview,) they accept it without a second of examination.

I think what I'm going to do with Snyder's next arc is completely avoid all the interviews and press releases to the best of my ability, see what it's like then. I think that might at least help a little bit with the people who aren't into this run, too.

[BadBoy House]

I can't wait to read this. Shame I have to wait until tonight to do so. Damn work.

[dntfeedthemnkys]

Well I loved it. Glad I didn't read the preview! Really like the direction this arc is headed!!

[El Sombrero]

So since Comixology put up DC's books early digitally, I had a chance to read this much earlier than I normally would.

And I didn't like it, at all.

I'm a big supporter of Snyder's Batman, but I thought last issue was kinda eh (aside from the stellar art), and this issue is worse, and probably my least favorite of Snyder's run. The last few issues of the Owls storyline went really downhill, and I'm not liking this Joker arc at all. However, the two issues in between (the Harper Row issue and the zero issue) were truly excellent. I think Snyder really needs to move away from these self-consciously epic stories, and do more shorter character pieces. I think he's trying too hard to make major statements or defining stories, and it's taking away from the quality of his writing.

This Joker is terrible. It doesn't even feel like I'm reading a character, it feels like Joker is just a cipher self-analyzing his relationship to Batman. He has a couple good lines this issue, but for the most part he is not funny at all, and most of his attempts to be funny are not really "jokes," just evil stuff with a bunch of "hahas" added on. The face thing is still extremely stupid and adds absolutely nothing. Joker's plan in this whole deal doesn't feel like something Joker would even do, it's too methodical and self-serious. I mean, Snyder understands what he wants to do here thematically, but the execution is awful, it's not subtle and it doesn't work for the character to be this direct.

Everything is so grim too. What I really liked about most of the Owls arc was that despite the violence, it felt really fun, and had some elements of camp (that I believe were unintentional, but still there). Iron-Batman, labyrinths, the Batcycle on the train scene, the magnet scene, etc etc, it was just a lot more fun. This arc is way too SRS BUSINESS and is not really a joy to read in any sense beyond the art (which is still great). We are promised another major secret reveal, and coming right off the Owls arc, this is feeling again like a hindrance of Snyder's writing and something that is hurting him more than helping at this stage.

I have enjoyed this title way too much to even think about dropping it, but this arc is not working for me at all, and I'm at the point where I just want it to be over, or (preferably) have a huge shift in tone and direction ASAP. I did not like this issue at all and it's a shame since this has been just about my favorite New 52 title and one of my favorite runs of Batman ever.

[Goldgeller]

So since Comixology put up DC's books early digitally, I had a chance to read this much earlier than I normally would.

And I didn't like it, at all.

I'm a big supporter of Snyder's Batman, but I thought last issue was kinda eh (aside from the stellar art), and this issue is worse, and probably my least favorite of Snyder's run. The last few issues of the Owls storyline went really downhill, and I'm not liking this Joker arc at all. However, the two issues in between (the Harper Row issue and the zero issue) were truly excellent. I think Snyder really needs to move away from these self-consciously epic stories, and do more shorter character pieces. I think he's trying too hard to make major statements or defining stories, and it's taking away from the quality of his writing.

This Joker is terrible. It doesn't even feel like I'm reading a character, it feels like Joker is just a cipher self-analyzing his relationship to Batman. He has a couple good lines this issue, but for the most part he is not funny at all, and most of his attempts to be funny are not really "jokes," just evil stuff with a bunch of "hahas" added on. The face thing is still extremely stupid and adds absolutely nothing. Joker's plan in this whole deal doesn't feel like something Joker would even do, it's too methodical and self-serious. I mean, Snyder understands what he wants to do here thematically, but the execution is awful, it's not subtle and it doesn't work for the character to be this direct.

Everything is so grim too. What I really liked about most of the Owls arc was that despite the violence, it felt really fun, and had some elements of camp (that I believe were unintentional, but still there). Iron-Batman, labyrinths, the Batcycle on the train scene, the magnet scene, etc etc, it was just a lot more fun. This arc is way too SRS BUSINESS and is not really a joy to read in any sense beyond the art (which is still great). We are promised another major secret reveal, and coming right off the Owls arc, this is feeling again like a hindrance of Snyder's writing and something that is hurting him more than helping at this stage.

I have enjoyed this title way too much to even think about dropping it, but this arc is not working for me at all, and I'm at the point where I just want it to be over, or (preferably) have a huge shift in tone and direction ASAP. I did not like this issue at all and it's a shame since this has been just about my favorite New 52 title and one of my favorite runs of Batman ever.

You make some good points about the Joker and the book not being subtle... And Joker seems almost too clver and too vindictive, but overall I really enjoyed the issue. I think Joker has a lot more tricks up his sleeve. I don't think Scott Snyder is explaining what's going on for new readers, I think he's building to something and using that explanation to throw us off course. I don't think the Joker has to be funny...

In any case, sorry you didn't like it that much. I really enjoyed the issue I'm going to be having a tough time waiting for what happens next! Wow!

[HXHAlex]

I'm more curious about Joker's future. Are they gonna keep the face ripped off?

[Nite-Wing]

Plastic surgery has made a lot of advancements its not like he can't just sew it back on. He has his face hanging off to send a message or scare people I guess

Anyway after reading this book I admit most parts aren't that good(mostly bruce's inner monologue and conversations with nightwing) but Snyder has sold me on how he writes the Joker its very refreshing even if its not exactly original.

[maxpower00044]

I enjoyed this issue. I continue to enjoy Snyder's Joker. A Joker who thinks he's funny (by the wyas he kills and maims), but really isn't funny (unless you think these things are funny), is the kinda Joker I enjoy. Very reminiscent of Nolan's Joker. Reading this in a "Ledger Voice" does his story wonders. I can see how some people might not like the reveal or secret joker knows, but I think it will all work out in the end.

[C_W]

I enjoyed this more than I probably should have. Greg Capullo continues to provide some great artwork. Meanwhile Scott Snyder writes an intriguing Joker.

Is it me or does the Joker's face look even worse this issue? In one panel he looked like a zombie. Though I suppose his face is starting to rot, that may be an explanation for his deteriorating look.

[rastafarian42]

Cant wait to pick this up later today.

[hanotsri]

I think what I'm going to do with Snyder's next arc is completely avoid all the interviews and press releases to the best of my ability, see what it's like then. I think that might at least help a little bit with the people who aren't into this run, too.

This. I am really, really annoyed by this aspect in the comic. Don't get me wrong, enjoyed the comic as a whole very much; but it was like listening or reading an interview with Scott Snyder word-for-word.

Dislikes:
I don't like the cliff-hanger at the end of the previous comic and not being able to physically see the damage to Alfred in this one (I know, I know you get a sense on the tape, but this really annoyed me)
The Snyder-interview tone when the Joker is revealing the plot

Likes:
One thing I did hear throughout this whole thing was a very Heath Ledger-esque voice, especially when he was calling everyone fakers and pretenders, it reminded me of the scene in the Dark Knight when Joker confronts Harvey Dent in the hospital
I found it humorous that the Joker played out the scenario in his head regarding the reservoir and just went for the end game in order to skip to the "talk"

[DarkKnghtJared]

Another solid issue.

Here's what I think the biggest problem with this and Snyder's writing in general: he obviously tries to examine what makes these characters tick and want to display this on the page. This is a good thing, something that is important to these kind of stories. The problem comes from putting it to the page in a way that doesn't sound like telling.

With Joker, I think it more or less works--he's always been a theatrical, self-aggrandizing bastard, it makes sense that he would talk about himself in this way. However, the scene with Gordon in particular--maybe it's because I read too many of the interviews, but Gordon's description of Joker sounds more like Snyder's description of Joker. The scene would work more if Gordon said it in a way that was more compact and sounded more like Gordon--more weary and worn-down.

With all that said, what was good about the book:

The art, as always. Capullo is a beast, who's art is so great I'm starting to run out of synonyms for it.

The way Batman and Nightwing are portrayed together works really well. It makes sense that Bruce would try to hide under the veneer of the Batman identity in figuring out a plan, not because he doesn't care, but because he doesn't trust his own emotions in this situation. I also like that it explains the weirdness with Alfred that we saw in Detective last week. Batman's monologue on the bike pushes that emotion a little too much for my taste, but I can forgive it.

The actual Batman/Joker confrontation was well done. The set-up/punchline in Joker's mind about the reservoir was suitably creepy, and the trip lines with chattering teeth trap was inventive.

Finally, Joker's set-up--I'm really curious to see where this goes. I want to know more about this book--I can see it being something Bruce does have but it suits another purpose than what Joker used, and I can also see it as a total red herring on Joker's part, using Batman himself as a way to break up the family.

The back-up was also solid--great Jock artwork, and I'm curious to see how Joker's going to involve the other rogues in his plan.

Overall, very solid, B+ issue--I just wish that Snyder would be a little less giving during interviews. Save it for the issues, man!

Also, saw this over on Bleeding Cool and thought it was interesting--there's apparently some Peter Pan allegory in this arc. Probably not a huge deal, but I do like that there's more going on in these issues than what Snyder's mentioned.

[bobbyraw]

I wasn't a fan of this, mostly for the reasons El Sombrero has already explained above.