By Glen Ludlow
Villains Month from DC marches on as the spotlight falls on the Riddler for this standalone issue of Batman. Batman is missing and Wayne Enterprises is left to defend itself from the wrath of former employee Edward Nygma.
The Riddler is back in town to reap a revenge against those who tormented him when incarcerated at Arkham Asylum, whilst simultaneously pitching his wits against a supposedly foolproof security system.
To begin with, it’s not a bad book. Ray Fawkes handles Nygma with a narcissistic quality you would come to expect from someone who brags they are Gotham’s smartest criminal. His riddles keep those involved, and us as readers guessing as to his motives for his schemes. Are they grand? Are they based on need or revenge? All in all I would have liked the issue to have been a little longer. Just when I was beginning to get into the story it was over.
The art by Jeremy Haun is satisfying. By no means is it amazing, but as an artist he’s growing and handles the script well. I particularly enjoyed how he depicts Nygma, breathing a true villainous quality into the master of puzzles. The book may be a cash-in but Haun shows he belongs in Gotham, and I’d like to see him make more visits.
In conclusion, it’s not a bad book, it’s a little lightweight, but I enjoyed it a lot more than the previous offering with the Joker. Worth picking up if you see it on the shelves.
For more comic views follow Glen on Twitter at @glenghiskhan and check out his blog for more reviews at www.glenludlow.blogspot.co.uk
Posted on October 1st, 2013
Category: PANELS OF INTEREST, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman, comics, dc, Glen Ludlow, Riddler, villains month