Ray: This series has fallen massively off-schedule due to the detail that goes into Jim Lee’s work – no surprise, as this happened with the first volume two decades away as well. That’s thrown a lot of things off kilter, from Matt Fraction’s new Batman run having to launch while this run is still ongoing to the now-cancelled Red Hood series spinning out of events that haven’t happened yet. Now, months late, we finally get the penultimate issue of the first half – and things are getting messy. For those who like Batman getting along with his family, don’t hold out too much hope here. Bruce’s increasing obsession with Hush has led him to cross several lines, and now the entire Bat-family is out to track him down – and he crosses a line by using a paralytic injection on Batgirl, triggering her past trauma and making sure that Nightwing is truly out for blood against him this time.

That’s the big problem with this issue – everyone acts rather out of character throughout, because the main point is to set up some epic fights. Bruce gets the worst of it, but Damian shouting “Yippee-kai-yay” as he drags Batman behind his motorcycle seems…out there as well. Then there’s Jason Todd, whose characterization seems to have been reset to a much earlier level as he teams up with Hush. Riddler, meanwhile, has matched his brain with his physique now, having worked out and armored up to become a legit physical threat to Batman. He’s an entertaining villain, but doesn’t quite feel like Riddler here. The best segment involves Catwoman, who manages to get deep below Bruce’s many layers and poke at his insecurities as she tries to get him to back off. Overall, it has some good moments, but this issue feels like it doesn’t follow up on the vibe of the Bat-family now – and who knows when the next issue will come out.

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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes

Source: geekdad.com