Family in Termoil
In this issue of DC Comics: Batman Eternal it explores the crimes in Gotham and how they have effected the characters in the series. This issue also brings familiar faces to the Eternal series that have not yet appeared in past issues. Harper Row (Bluebird) and Cullen Row are among these faces. The story takes off while Tim Drake is doing some detective work in Gotham leading him to clues The Dark Knight had not come across. While speaking with Alfred, Tim expresses his frustration with Bruce and how rather than worry about the GPD and its gangs that he might have discovered the clues himself. The issue continues in The Narrows as Tim arrives he is met by The Dark Knight who is disappointed in Tim for working alone. Tim then replies "That worked for Nightwing, didn't it? Our so-called family sure knows how to stick together." Tim begins to run scans on the sick boy when they discover Nanobot Swarms more advanced than what they knew of. Tim then says "I thought you wanted to work together? Batman and the Red Robin just like the old days?" They continue there talk then Tim says "Nothing's the same anymore. Not since Joker. Not since Damian... and now Dick too... There's something broken under the surface, Batman." The Dark Knight says suddenly "This isn't about that. This is about the city." Tim simply reply's as The Dark Knight takes off "Exactly." Tim continues his investigation by tracing all sources of Nano-Technology as he does the ill boy sits up and says "Alert. System compromised. Eliminate threat." and a blue substance begins to attack Tim. The story continues with Vicki Vale and new Gazette intern Joey Day investigate The Narrows. While arriving Vicki asks a group of gang members if they know anything about Carmine Falcone. The leader of the group replies "That ain't a smart question to be asking. Folks ain't supposed to be getting curious just yet." and pulls out a knife. Harper Row aka Bluebird attacks the group and saves Vicki and Joey. Harper invites them up rudely to her and her brother Cullens place. Vicki and Harper start yelling at each other when the group that Bluebird attacked kicks in the door. Harper yells "Stay back." when Tim crashes threw the roof after being dragged there by the blue substance. One of the gang members from the streets yells "What the hell is that?!" another replies "I don't know! Try and kill it!" the gang opens fire and then the blue substance says "New threat detected" as Tim lays on floor lifeless. The story is good but not the best its to far storyline wise from the first three issues. It did go along with the last story about Batgirl and the conflict she had about her fathers arrest and the personal conflict between Tim and Bruce in this issue. I think the last two issues have gone there own direction from the original story about Gordan and his arrest. This issue played more into what's going on with Batman and Red Robins partnership which kept me reading! I give this comic a 3 out of 5 stars because its a good story to read but the main storyline is gone completely it seems!
