By Luke Abbott
As much as I like the multiple narratives of Batman Eternal, I like how this issue doesn’t jump as much around as we are used to. We start with a brief catch-up with Forbes and Falcone, their partnership not as steady as Forbes wants us to believe. However, then we are thrust to Hong Kong, where Batman is trying to figure out why Falcone abandoned a successful criminal empire in Japan. Shen Fang has taken over where Falcone has left off and Batman needs to team up with his man in the Orient, Jiro, the Japanese Batman.
I quite enjoyed the change in scenery. While these comics are played at breakneck speed, we never really get a sense of Jiro’s gang wars with the Ghost Dragons, we see just enough to pique our curiosity. The writers also play with the idea of having a villain no one has heard of before, Shen Fang. We have no idea what this guy is like and it gives the writers a lot of breathing space with what to do with this new bad guy. He looks impressive too, literally bursting onto the page in a gut-wrenching fashion (you’ll understand what I mean once you’ve read it). There’s a neat little mystery, which is nothing more than a distraction from the overall Eternal story arc, but it is enough to make for an enjoyable side issue. Eternal throws so much conspiracy at you that there is something very pleasant about breaking from the story to beat up some masked thugs in Hong Kong.
The dialogue here is marvelous. For the first time in my Inter-Comics run, I have been stuck at what the Quote of the issue should be. Falcone is given some great lines, earning him a bit more respect in my eyes. Batman goes full-on Batman, with some scenes that remind people why he is the most famous of the DC superheroes. Even Catwoman pops up briefly for some meaty dialogue, although we expect nothing less for her character. Seeing as only a little happens this issue, lines like these make this issue so much more worthwhile.
And a new character enters the fray. I didn’t see that twist coming and for the first time, a week’s wait feels like torture.
Quote of the Issue:
Batman: You shouldn’t have done that. I just wanted to ask you some questions. (…) But now? Now I am going to hurt you!
For more comic views and reviews follow Luke on Twitter at @LukeBbtt and check out his website at www.oracleoffilm.com
Posted on June 7th, 2014
Category: ORACLE OF COMICS, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman Eternal #9 Review, Bruce Wayne, Catwoman, Comic Reviews, DC Comics, James Tynion IV, Luke Abbott, Scott Snyder, Shen Fang
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