And Justice For None (Batman #51 Review)

Writer: Tom King

Art: Lee Weeks

Color: Elizabeth Breitweiser

Cover: Weeks & Breitweiser

Variant Cover: Kaare Andrews

Last Issue

Comics readers rode the hype wave as we all geared up for the wedding of the century, Bruce Wayne and Selena Kyle were set to be wed in last week’s issue #50. Tom King wrote the issue from the perspective of each other’s vows, contrasting each other in a complementary manner that gave the reader a greater sense of how much they love each other. With an absolutely absurd amount of variant art of the two in romantic scenarios, the writing and illustrations set a tone for one of the most groundbreaking things to happen to Batman. However, King felt it necessary to rip this moment away from the readers with a rather cliche twist. Hyping up this love story and topping the torture by doing this on an anniversary issue. Leaving us completely stumped about what is to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Issue

We are given a welcome shift in pace as this issue starts us out with Bruce Wayne showing up for jury duty for the appeal of Victor Fries. The issue reads almost like an old Law & Order episode, juxtaposing panels from the dark and gritty work of the bat to the bright and squeaky clean courtroom with the relevant questioning taking place. Questioning the GCPD about where they get their evidence, questioning Mr. Freeze about his encounter and subsequent interrogation for confession. This issue forces us to ask ourselves, is what Bruce does just? There will be no stone unturned as we scrutinize the bat and his methods, more importantly, if his hand in the justice system is corrupt in and of itself.

Thoughts

This issue is a very surprising turn from the conservative and cliche ending we were given at the end of #50. Taking Bruce to a new territory in his lore that shows us something the community has debated for quite some time, whether or not Batman actually can deliver true justice. The way the artwork helps the text flow helps captivate you by illustrating a fuller picture of what happens in the city of Gotham, and honestly its a bit grim as a whole. I am very excited to see how this new arc ends, and I’m leaving my faith in King to bring the dark knight to new territory as a character, while still standoffish from this last debacle.

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