Batman

Batman 51-57

How does Batman deal with being left at the altar?  He beats the crap out of Mr. Freeze. But when he realizes he got the wrong guy, he bribes Bruce Wayne’s way on to the jury and convinces the other jurists to return with a verdict of not guilty.  His argument is a fascinating one - the Gotham citizens on the jury are predisposed to trust Batman’s judgment and investigative acumen; If he said Freeze is guilty, who are they to question the world’s greatest detective, even if small holes can be poked in the prosecution’s case?  But, Bruce argues, remember that Batman is just a man. And as such, is as fallible as everyone else.

It’s a contrary position for Tom King to take, especially given the “Batman is the pinnacle of human perfection” mandate that’s been in place at DC since Grant Morrison’s JLA.  

And he's been practically perfect ever since.

Also ironic is the fact that post-Catwoman depressed Batman is far less effective than with-Catwoman happy Batman, as Selina left him for fear that a blissful Dark Knight would be a weak Dark Knight.  

The three-issue trial arc also marks the last issues by Lee Weeks on the title.  Fine, solid work, with a bunch of Dave Mazzucchelli influence on top of his Joe Kubert education.  

Identical Gordons.

Matt Wagner follows Weeks with a single issue that focuses on Dick Grayson’s relationship with Bruce, both now and flashing back to his first days living at Wayne Manor.  It’s a sweet little story reinforcing the strength of the Batfamily, but King’s Nightwing lays it on a little thick with the quip, and he comes across too much like Spider-Man.  

Then KGBeast shoots Dick in the head and Bruce reverts to the relentless terminator of justice that we all know and love.  (Though he takes it further than usual when he leaves the Beast to die in a harsh snowstorm. Still off his game and surprisingly antithetical to his whole ethos.)

How many times can Tony Daniel draw Batman in the same pose?

He strides with great purpose.

Mark Buckingham pops in for a few pages to draw what’s essentially a Fable.  It gets dark fast.

Overall, a good trade.  King continues to entertain, and I particularly like his unique approach with the Freeze trial.