Superheavy has been a crazy and wild ride for Batman and comic readers. With the previous arc, we saw Bruce Wayne meet his apparent demise. It soon became clear that Gotham City still needed a Batman. This isn't the first time we've seen another person step into the role, but it was the first time it was someone from outside Batman's immediate family.
Jim Gordon as Batman sounded like a bizarre choice. The fact is, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo made it work. It was like a crazy experiment, and we got to see Jim take on the new threat of Mr. Bloom. What also made the stories enticing was the fact that Bruce Wayne was still in the wings. It turned out he wasn't dead but simply no longer possessed any memories of ever being Batman. This went beyond a case of amnesia.
With the threat of Bloom reaching a critical high for Gotham, we finally have the return of the true Batman. With each page and each panel, you can feel the energy and enthusiasm Snyder and Capullo have poured into this issue. They are tasked with bringing this arc to a close as well as returning things to what readers feel is the status quo. It's an epic battle and a brilliant end to the arc.
Was Jim as Batman a success? It's hard to say. I have to admit I mostly found his adventures in this title enticing. It might be the balance of seeing Jim grow into the role he's taken on compounded with the suspense of what will happen with Bruce Wayne and Duke Thomas. Having a foe like Mr. Bloom didn't feel like a huge threat. Snyder and Capullo easily took him the next level and beyond.
There's an almost bittersweet feeling to the issue. It is an oversized celebration issue. We have the return of Bruce as Batman and a new costume. The problem is, this issue means we're almost at the end of Snyder and Capullo's run. They have one more issue left. This is the big bombastic story which will be followed by a more quiet story next month. For a final action-packed issue, this one hits all the marks. We get some fantastic moments we won't soon forget.
With the conclusion to Superheavy, all is almost as it should be in Gotham City. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have delivered another stellar issue. We have some amazing scenes and several moments that will put a big grin on your face. It's hard to think of this creative team leaving the title, just when things are returning to normal. Superheavy was a risky story, but these guys made it a completely satisfying read. This issue just goes to show us how much we'll miss seeing Snyder and Capullo together. We still have one more issue to go so the celebration is not over yet. If you haven't read Superheavy yet, you're in for a treat. Only Snyder and Capullo could make a risky story concept work in such a glorious fashion.
Log in to comment