Batman and Stalker are fighting – VERY publicly – and everyone is watching. Those who know him best know he needs help, which eventually does come, but not in the form expected. Dan Jurgens has been teasing for a while that Terry McGinnis’ younger brother Matt may very well become Robin (Beyond), and he continues to do so here. In fact, it’s become such a tease that it’s hard to take it seriously anymore. I feel the misdirection has run its course, and it’s time to lay it to rest.

But Stalker is merely a hired gun, sent to bring the Gotham bat under control by a larger power. So what happens when he enters the fray? Well, maybe not what you would expect. Unless you expect the danger level to jump to 11, just in time for help to arrive from unexpected quarters.

I enjoy Dan Jurgens writing (both here and in Action Comics) because he is able to offer the kind of art direction that fills in the blanks. One story element was telegraphed to me long before Bruce Wayne felt the need to explain it Matt. Even if I hadn’t picked up on it, the exposition is natural, rather than feeling forced vis-à-vis Captain Obvious.

The downside of that is that skirting the line between toying with the reader and revealing too much is sometimes dangerous. In this case, I have suspicions regarding a new plot element, which may or may not already be confirmed. But that revelation will most likely wait until next issue.

Rating: 9/10