BATMAN/STATIC BEYOND #5 (DC COMICS)
The search for Shutdown has pushed Batman and Static into dangerous territory.
In trying to restore power from the Global Blackout, the pair is now in the crosshairs of another fight altogether. Cadmus agents have arrived to arrest Static. It’s a safe bet he’s not going to be surrendering quietly, nor should he. Time is slipping further away. More people are going to get hurt if he fails.
BATMAN/STATIC BEYOND #5 by Evan Narcisse, Miguel Mendonca & Wil Quintana, & Wes Abbott (DC Comics) delivers its pen-ultimate chapter.
Let’s take a deeper dive into recent events.
BATMAN/STATIC BEYOND #5 by Evan Narcisse, Miguel Mendonca & Wil Quintana, & Wes Abbott (DC Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Narcisse hits the ground running with the action. The Cadmus attack goes off the rails very fast. Readers see the heroes make a valiant attempt to fight back. The battle goes through a solid series of progressions before coming to a head. Readers watch as a small detour leads into more unexpected paths. One of which is a return to Neo-Gotham This time, the focus isn’t on Shutdown. Rather, it’s on some other residents of the city.
The Bowery side plot leads into a reflection of the Blackout’s aftermath. It moves into a chase of abductions. The writing shows how Batman and Static give some much needed back-up to the residents as they fight back. It’s a great lead-in to what Shutdown has been up to. The writing gives an impactful flashback into the polarizing villain before switching gears. Readers get an update on the Justice League Beyond sub-plot. It doesn’t steal away from the closing pages. Narcisse puts the player in position for one last showdown. It has a great build and even better final page. There’s no way not to be excited for the finale after this.
READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW HERE!
Mendonca & Quintana gift readers a heavily laced action start to events. Panels highlight Terry McGuiness unleashing many attacks. A prime example of this is a half page image of him swooping into battle. This ultimately leads to a fast escape as tensions rise. The welcome to Neo-Gotham shows off the dark corners of the Bowery. Readers watch the half page welcome in the unique residents into the picture. It’s a calm moment before more drama hits the pages.
The secret attacks are presented in a very soli fashion. Panels depict the horrible actions before the heroes jump in to right the wrong. Anther series of action panels make some noise before moving to Shutdown. His flashback pages allude to an insight to his current mental state. The Justice League Beyond pages keep the political drama moving as a break into the main story. Readers see the main event line up with a great half panel of heroes racing after Shutdown. The confrontation becomes heated until Shutdown makes his moves. A defiant full page leaves readers wanting more as the final stand-off is about to kick into another gear. Here we go.
FINAL GRADE: 8.6
Batman and Static’s search for Shutdown leads to an explosive moment in this pen-ultimate chapter. Narcisse’s writing stages great action admis the heavy drama. Mendonca & Quintana construct exciting panels leading into a perfect parting shot. All bets are off onto where this goes from here!
Let me know your thoughts on BATMAN/STATIC BEYOND #5in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
