All Star Batman #14

By Hervé St-Louis
August 26, 2018 - 15:33

It’s the finale as Batman and Alfred Pennyworth face the past and the possible future of the former in a fight that will reveal the son Alfred never had. Elsewhere, Batman witnesses the crowning of the Killer Queen, a major Russian crime boss. How long until she makes it to Gotham City?

I enjoy this story that explored Alfred Pennyworth’s past and his relationship with Bruce Wayne and his family. Batman was almost useless as is usually the case when a character guest star as the hero in a story. It is unclear why Alfred Pennyworth’s father decided to never mail the letters he had written for his son. The conversion to butler and taking the role of his dad made some sense because it seemed rooted as part of family obligation and almost a sense of desperation. Seeing the first meeting with the young Bruce Wayne seems to bring Alfred some peace. I like this.

Rafael Albuquerque’s tale is also about fathers and their kids and brought full circle the nemesis storyline of the premiere story. I can’t wait to see the Killer Queen reappear in the future. I like that Albuquerque is both the artist of the main story and the writer of the back up. As I’ve written before, this Batman is more caped crusader than dark knight. The illustrations reflect that in the first story but less in the back story drawn by Sebastian Fiurama.

Rating: 8.5 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12

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