When everything comes together perfectly, all you do is smile!
Lieutenant Bard has a plan that will slow down, or even STOP, Carmine Falcone's operations in Gotham City. Can the rookie pull it off?
The Good
Like Lieutenant Bard in this issue, the writers of Batman: Eternal are only getting started; and this issue's story, was not a bad start! Two parts of this issue's story were pivotal in its success; and I enjoyed how it kept me on the edge of my seat with a big smile on my face. I loved how the writers setup this issue and executed it, because this story was near perfect! So lets get into the details shall we?
Lieutenant Bard's plan at stopping, or slowing down, Carmine Falcone's operations was handled really, really nicely. I loved how the writers showed both the police and the press sides of the prep work to make this bust happen! It was cool to see all the strings that had to be pulled to bust members of Falcone's gang, and trick everyone into thinking that it was a sting to arrest [and unmask] Batman. Words do not do the writers story for, Lieutenant Bard's sting, justice as it must be read for yourself. However what you should know is, from beginning-to-end you will love how it was executed!
The second portion of this issue I enjoyed was, Jim Gordon and his son James' talk. It was a very interesting talk between the two characters, which had James doing most of the talking, but just how he psych analyzed his father; and knew him inside-and-out, was scary cool to read. I like seeing characters like James Gordon, how they aren't really the hero nor the villain, but somewhere in the grey areas. And how these types of characters are crazy smart and psychologically broken, but not in an insane way. James' talk with his father and how he is "just like him" basically, was really nice to see and I want to see what James has in store for his father in the next issue. Cause this was only the tip of the iceberg!
The artwork by Mikel Janin is still awesome! This terrific issue could've not been pulled off without his help!
The Bad
I greatly enjoyed this issue and its setup, however I do have a few gripes. While I loved seeing Lieutenant Bard's plan come to fruition; I disliked how this issue ended. With such a great setup and execution, I was hoping for an equally perfect follow through on an ending. An ending that would setup the future issues to come. While I did get that feeling, or satisfying ending, with both Lieutenant Bard and Jim Gordon and his son, James' stories; I didn't get that feeling with Stephanie Brown and Red Robin's stories. Their stories were like slaps in the face for me and my reading experience, in this issue. They would be there, but always leave because Gordon and Lieutenant Bard's stories were really engaging and had you on the edge of your seat! If it were up to me, I would've ended the issue directly after Lieutenant Bard said, "Well, it's not over yet." But instead, we got a dragged out story with Cluemaster stilltrying to kill his daughter, and Red Robin having problems with Harper Row. Ultimately, putting a dampener on my enjoyment of this issue.
The Verdict
4 out of 5, until the next one! I highly recommend this issue!
Batman: Eternal reviews