This
issue is more of a graphic novel than most comics. Rather than traditional word
balloons, it’s told in caption form, so in mind, it’s akin to narration, so the
whole story reads like a flashback.
Batman
goes up against the Mad Hatter, who makes a pretty convincing argument that the
whole Batman life is but a dream in the head of an ailing Bruce Wayne. Though
it could serve as a stand-alone story, it is connected with the previous issue
featuring Poison Ivy, and presumably issues prior to that. However, the ending
appears to be at hand, with greater revelations promised for next issue.
Meanwhile,
Duke’s story from last issue also continues, as he attempts to resolve the
mystery of how the Riddler can be committing crimes from within Arkham. He is
on the verge of figuring it out, when an even more lethal situation comes to
light.
I
appreciated Camuncoli’s artwork more than that of Tula Lotay in issue #7. It
seems tighter and more polished. My biggest beef with the story overall is how
the once proud Blackhawks have been reduced to a morally ambiguous group of
mercenaries. I’d much rather see them restored to their former WWII glory.