The Riddler is Back
Last week, we received the less than acceptable Joker issue, which many fans found lacking, myself included. I was hesitant to pick this up, but since Scott Snyder was co-wirting this issue, I had to pick it up! Boy, was I glad I did. This is arguably the best Villains Month issue out this week, if not the best overall (We will have to see how the rest of the month shapes out).
The Story/Writing
The Riddler has always been one of the most interesting and one of my favorites of Batman's crazy rogue gallery, but wow, you finally realize how unhinged he really is. Snyder and Fawkes get inside Riddler's head beautifully. All the little things he does are just so fun to watch, like eating pudding or listening to music, they seem just seem natural. The riddles that Ray Fawkes comes up with are pretty entertaining, and the way Riddler acts when the order of his riddles are interrupted reminds me of one of his Arkham Asylum or City rants. As a whole, this just made me happy to be a Riddler fan.
The Art
Nothing short of amazing. If anyone had to replace Gregg Capullo it would be Jeremy Haun (That or Brett Booth, but still). Riddler's current incarnation is possibly my favorite, costume design-wise. Still a bit cheesy, but we have a man running around in a Bat-suit for pete's sake. Only complaint I have is that sometimes Riddler's clothes didn't look like they fit him, his pants looked baggy. He's not from the hood people. And as always, the 3D cover is gorgeous.
Overall
This was a fantastic book, plain and simple, a major improvement from last week. I can't wait too see what Scott Snyder has in store for the Crown Prince of Conundrums in Zero Year. The Riddler is back, and boy, does he have something up his sleeve!
