BATMAN #9 (DC COMICS)
The Bat Family are now Gotham City’s Most Wanted.
After getting a green light (no pun intended) from Mayor Pamela Isley, Vandal Savage has launched an all out attack on Batman. "Operation Peregrine" is in full swing. It’s sole purpose is to capture The Batman by any means necessary.
The family won’t let this happen without a fight. Something has to give.
BATMAN #9 by Matt Fraction, Ryan Sook, Wade Von Grawbadger, Tomeu Morey & Clayton Cowles (DC COMICS) sees the Dark Knight hunted on the streets he protects!
Let’s take a deeper dive into Savage’s deadly plans.
BATMAN #9 by Matt Fraction, Ryan Sook, Wade Von Grawbadger, Tomeu Morey & Clayton Cowles (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
This isn’t a typical Batman story by any means. Fraction puts Bruce Wayne into a corner and dares him to fight his way out. The opening sequence sees Bruce addressing the troops. It is very business with no frills in the wording. One aspect that does peek in is the “intervention” of Alfred. Knowing there is some unresolved business with Damian due to his dangerous mistake, the writing shows Batman admitting to failing. It is a sight rarely seen but his relationship with his son is always complicated.
Readers watch as the plan goes into effect. There’s no shortage of tense situations. Fraction throws in a couple of quick humor jabs that connect. It doesn’t take anything away from the frantic scene playing out. Once the plan starts going off the rails, there’s a strong intervention to try getting it back on track. If this help or made things worse is debatable. One certainty is the huge fallout from the plan. Some may say the hand was tipped due to previous announcements, but again, nothing feels like a let down form the impact readers will feel. This leads to a tremendous final act. There’s plenty of heavy emotions going right into the final page. It sets the stage for an even greater counter that the city might not be ready for! Excellent writing.
Sook and the team gives this mission a very covert look with panel structures. With panels designated to focus on each individual member, it creates a certain gravity to their tasks. This look shifts gears once “Alfred” speaks with Bruce about Damian. The expressions show Bruce’s flaws in dealing with his own self-analysis. Alfred’s look of defiance is one readers will lock in on. Even in his new form, the soul of the Bat Family comes through when needed. This allows for a more personal talk to start between father and son. No better time than before a life or death mission.
The action kicks off soundly with Batgirl (Stephanie Brown) taking a shot of her own. A half page panel lights the explosive scenes. Pacing keeps at a safe speed while the story progresses. Batman’s interventions are given larger panels to amplify his attacks. Readers watch as the plan starts slipping off scale. It results in more vertical panels to close in on one member’s gamble. The aftermath allows Bruce and Damian some family bonding. A full page image shows the Wayne family celebrating one win. The mood becomes short lived as the family realize what was lost. A bold full final page shows a dire end result with many avenues to lead from here. Very solid work.
FINAL GRADE: 9
"Operation Peregrine" deals a crushing blow to the Bat Family in its’ opening round. Fraction challenges Bruce Wayne on many fronts with the writing. Sook and the art team present a very sleek look at how the family responds to being hunted. A phenomenal look at the ever-changing world of the Dark Knight.
Let me know your thoughts on Batman #9 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
