Laura McCarthy reviews Batman Eternal #12…
Jason Bard makes his big play to end the gang war once and for all. And Jim Gordon’s trial becomes a family affair!
This issue of Batman Eternal feels like returning to regularly scheduled programing after the screeching halt last issue brought.
Admittedly, compared to last issue, we’re getting a look into more than four different stories here: the trial of Jim Gordon (hey, finally!), a look into what’s going on with Barbara and Jason in Brazil, Harper Row hacking into Red Robin’s computer network, Tim Drake’s reaction to having his computer network hacked into, and finally some more interaction between Julia and Alfred. Unlike the last issue, though, where each story felt like sudden flashes back and forth – each story seems much more interconnected and fluid between transitions. This is especially true for the story between Harper, Tim, Julia, and Alfred. James Tynion IV succeeds where Tim Seeley just couldn’t reach up to snuff.
The inherent problem with a title like Batman Eternal is that so much is going on in the story, that it is pretty much impossible to focus on any single part of it for any length of time. Sure, it’s good to highlight characters that might not get the attention they deserve in one of the main titles and don’t have enough draw to deserve a series of their own (I’m looking at you, New 52 Tim Drake, everything I loved about you has been stripped away) – but it also takes time away from the stories that might be a bit more interesting if they had more time. I mean, yeah, I’d love to learn more about Harper Row and Julia Pennyworth…but I’m so distracted worrying about Commissioner Gordon!
With the introduction of a certain character on the last page, you’ll understand why I’m so worried. Do I really have to wait a week for #13? I hope I don’t regret saying that when I open the book.
Also I never thought I would be so happy to see “typical” artwork, but I was. Mikel Janin, I would say never leave me but I don’t want your hands to shatter trying to pencil a weekly series.
Laura McCarthy spends more time crying about fictional characters than being a productive member of society. Follow her on Twitter and Tumblr.
Originally published June 27, 2014. Updated April 12, 2018.
