Script, Art, and Covers Sean Murphy
Colors, Cover Colors Matt Hollingsworth
Letters AndWorld Designs
Last Issue
Jim dies on the table from his wounds received from Azrael. Barbara and Bruce arrive in time to hug him one last time. This sends Babs into an anger spiral, calling out Bruce for the things Batman’s existence causes. Going as far as to even blame him for her father’s death. Dick tries to console her, reminding her that she is not the only one among them who has lost parents. Trying to be family in that darkness. Nothing can calm Batgirl down, so she gears up and goes out to take out Azrael. Backed up by Bullock she immediately opens fire and attacks when she arrives. Right when she gains the upper hand. Bruce gets a grappling hook around the barrel, pulling it away just as Babs pulls the trigger. Giving Jean-Paul just enough time to get and knee Barbara in the base of the spine.
This Issue
We start right off the bat at Jim Gordon’s funeral proceedings. The GCPD, Gotham’s politicians, etc. all there to honor their long-standing colleague. Dick and Barb notice that Bruce isn’t at the funeral. Babs notes it’s due to his cowardice. Elsewhere. Bruce is working the case, too many funerals for Bruce as is. When he comes back to the GTO headquarters, he’s bet with anger and vitriol from Bullock for not killing Azrael for what he had done to both Jim and now Barbara. Montoya reminds him that they both went rogue and were injured because of this. Batman has uncovered more of the story from his Dive in the Gotham Reservoir. Edmond had drowned out the entire Gotham Valley after killing Laughy and Bakkar.
Thoughts
This issue is rife with flaring emotions in a similar way the last three have been. These instances and revelations that Murphy is putting Gotham’s finest through are some extreme shifts in the status quo of Gotham. Honestly, I am blown away by how much closer to reality this universe he has created for Bruce and friends is than the rest. His art and plot coming together seamlessly throughout this issue from the funeral to the visual history lesson, to then not much later having Harley talking to Joker about their twin children. These significant pivots in tone come across with ease that makes the reader feel like there is not an ounce of wasted information. It all matters.
Travis Tucker
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