It’s
the final showdown with Ascalon, the assassin of choice of the Order of St.
Dumas. Lucas Fox’s bat-bots are corrupted with Ascalon’s AI, Azrael is
corrupted with the Order’s mystical mind tricks. Fortunately, Batman has
Zatanna on his side. I wouldn’t she’s the most powerful magical being in the DC
Universe, but she’s certainly no slouch.
But
secrets are revealed, some with far-reaching ramifications, while others
somewhat wither on the vine, being no great revelation at all. Hints are
dropped for the future yet to come, but whether it’s part of or separate from
the growing Metal event remains to be seen.
Overall,
the story arc has been fantastic, albeit a little crowded. Azrael, Batwing and
Batwoman have taken the role(s) normally fulfilled by Robin, but both Damian
Wayne and Tim Drake seem to be MIA (Drake dead, Damian absent). What role
Batwoman fulfilled is still beyond me. Could have been Batgirl, could have been
Commissioner Gordon, could have been anyone.
But
the art team of Martinez and Fernandez performed magnificently, rendering
elements both technological and magical with equal skill. But most artists will
tell you, designing such requires more imagination than skill. What is more
challenging to any artist is drawing the human form and all the mundane things
it shares the world with: cars, buildings, animals, etc. But I’m confident they
can do that too.
Rating:
7/10