BATMAN #3

[ IT IS MINE ] 

The thing I don’t like about Owls. Is the way in which they have very gruff jowls. I tried to slap one once, because someone gave me a bunce, as well as a nice set of matching set towels. Now if you want to get this silly story out of your mind, please read this good one, Written by Scott Snyder; Drawn by Greg Capullo; and Published by DC Comics in December 2011.

So what’s the story morning glory?
In ‘The Thirteenth Hour’, we see the Dark Knight himself, Batman, investigate the circumstances behind his civilian attack, Bruce Wayne, last issue – by some Owl person.

Now this starts off with Batman beating the ka-ka out of a subterranean Ukrainian mob – whom have no idea what he is talking about. Before, Batman / Bruce asks’ his allies, Alfred Pennyworth and Lincoln Marsh, about their opinions relating to this ‘Owl thing’ too.

In turn, Alfred tells Bruce a story concerning his Great-Great Grandfathers unstable obsession about them, whist, Lincoln, then warns Bruce about the threats posed to them both – which could be associated with ‘the court of owls’.

Next, with this knowledge at hand, Batman goes in search for a possible base of operation for these fiends.

He finds it.

But not only that – because he also discovers a loose connection to his ancestors, some ornaments, a bit of pageantry, funny looking pictures, and a bomb.

BOOM!   

What is the most memorable sentence spoken in this issue?

I liked Alfred’s rant to Bruce – concerning the Ornithologists research about Bat’s – especially his end phrase of ‘They need to experience twilight to calibrate their internal compass. In other words, Bat’s need a little sunlight once in a while to fly straight, if you will’.

Pertinent and educational at the same time – you go, Alfred.

Was the story any good?

Yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes... errr... yes. Scott Snyder has done it again, he has put the pedal to the medal and kicked papa into touch (I don’t know what I am saying either).

For me, what I liked about this issue, was the way that it was a detective story, a personal story, plus a continuing parable which I was not that sure about last issue (that whole ‘Owl thing).

This chapter has proven to me that I can be wrong – at times – and that sometimes old concepts can be aired out now and again. Moreover, I liked how this story told a tale, and was not interested about sexy poses or superficial nonsense, something that could have changed the focus slightly.

Was the art any good?

How many times should I say ‘yes’ this time? 40 or 50? OK – just once – but with the power of 60, BOOOOOM! I find that Greg’s style works really well on this title, as – like Batman himself – it is simple yet detailed, cartoonish yet gruff, and atmospheric yet bold.

Though, to juxtapose this stance just a tad, I do feel that the colour pallet used by FCO, does make certain scenes – especially the interior ones – slightly too even in tone. Granted, I am sure that some of this has to do with Batman having to skulk around in the dark – but – dark does not always mean a monochrome blue, right?  

What is the best thing about this issue?

Now this is a hard question for me to answer, because I did pretty much like all of this comic book. Nevertheless, I have to say, that I did enjoy the ‘detective angle’ of this story – as it showed what is at the centre of all good Batman yarns (a mystery). I just wished that Tony Daniels, the current writer of ‘Detective Comics’, could do the same thing also.

Hey – Scott – give Tony a nudge, huh? We want the best for him you know.

What is the worst thing about this issue?

As you must have gathered by now, I just love this issue, so there was not that much wrong with it where I was concerned.

However, there is a ‘time things’ that does not sit too well with me. Alfred said that his Father knew Bruce’s Great-Great Grandfather, and had knowledge about his death, correct? And that he died in 1922, yeah? So let us just say, for arguments sake, that Alfred’s Dad was 20 something at the time, and that Alfred came along ten odd years later – 1932.

Therefore, that would make Alfred about 80 now!

Hmmm? Was Alfred the only person who aged in the DCnU?

If you could sum up this issue in a phrase or saying, what would that phrase or saying be?

Simple – the first thing I said after reading this issue, is how I would sum up this issue – WOW!

Say no more.

If this issue were a movie, an object, or a piece of music, what would that be and why? 

This issue of Batman does share a certain overtone to the 1940’s Batman television show.

That’s right – I said 1940’s.

They are both earthy, girthy, and just fun to look at. Here, see for yourself...

What do you think would have made this issue better than it was?

I would have liked to have seen a scene in which Alfred gave Ra’s Al Ghul a slap in the face, took a dip in the Lazarus pits, before re-emerging once more as Simon Cowell.

Well, it would be funny to see Simon give Batman his tea! 

Final thoughts...

Can this book get any better? And if so, how? Will the pages be made out of gold? Will DC get a naked lady (or man if you prefer) to come around to your house, and turn the pages for you? What if DC devised a device that could beam this story straight into your mind, and make it stay with you for at least a day. Like cocaine, but with a lot less side effects.

Sigh! Who knows? Probably Batman.

Marks out of 10? 9