Batman #8 - Mobile Edition

DC Comics
Batman #8
By Avi Weinryb
October 6, 2016 - 23:30

DC Comics
Writer(s): Steve Orlando
Penciller(s): Riley Rossmo
Inker(s): Riley Rossmo
Colourist(s): Ivan Plascencia
Letterer(s): Deron Bennett
Cover Artist(s): Yanick Paquette & Nathan Fairbairn; Variant by Tim Sale & Brennan Wagner

This comic is one big fight scene. Scratch that -- it’s part of one big fight scene. Gotham has been overtaken by a zombie horde and both Nightwing and Gotham Girl have been turned into insane monstrous beast-like creatures. The entire Bat-family is represented here, including Batman, Orphan (formerly Batgirl), Batwoman, Spoiler, and Batman’s new trainee, Duke. From what I’ve heard, the “Night of the Monster Men” storyline, of which this issue is part #4, is a lackluster, neverending fight-fest that does nothing to move any semblance of story forward. That comes across in this issue, which really doesn’t achieve anything. The fighting, barring a fun appearance by Clayface, is uninspired. The dialogue is dry and utilitarian. I look forward to seeing this storyline end.

Riley Rossmo’s able work is not done any favors by Ivan Plascencia’s flat colours. Beyond the monochromatic (even for Gotham) appearance of the book, we’ve treated to some crisp pages, with a few muddy panels mixed in. Rossmo captures movement well and the fighting, of which there is much, is fluid.

If you’re already collecting this new series, you may as well continue working towards completing the current storyline. Otherwise, skip this lacklustre issue.