Batman’s Angels indeed.
Creative Staff:
Story: Brian Buccellato
Art: Bruno Redondo, Juan Albarran
What They Say:
Barbara Gordon makes a critical decision and Harley Quinn contemplates what to do next with the captive Billy Batson.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Injustice: Gods Among Us let things play for Montoya for a couple of issues and it worked well to show the way some of the actions have driven people over the edge and just how far they’ll go. That’s been a theme for some time in the series, especially when you look at everything that Superman and his allies have done in the mindset of doing it for the right reasons, but it all started by being pushed past the edge. So now we’re in this phase where it just keeps piling on and on, creating a situation where things are just going to get worse and worse. Particularly as more external pressures are applied on the situation as a whole.
Coping with loss gets only so much attention here, which isn’t a surprise considering the nature of the book and the quick pace it works with. Montoya’s death has certainly solidified the insurgency that Batman has put together, but with the magical side largely staying out of things at the moment, he’s reduced to just Batwoman, Catwoman and Harley. Batman’s Angel’s indeed. He does try calling out for more help, such as with Aquaman, but there’s plenty of reasons why based on past events that Arthur just isn’t intent on getting involved again, even though Batman knows – and Arthur knows too – that Atlantis will come under Superman’s view again in the future and things will go badly.
While we get a lot of setup here and a bit of piece setting for what’s to come, we also get a little additional follow-through on some other teases as Luthor pays Oracle a visit at her request. She’s using him, and he’s using her as well, in order to get back in the game as Batgirl. Using the same thing as Montoya, but with a different approach and levels, she does get the chance to suit up again and join the team, which is good and bad. I like her as the strategist that she’d become after the original loss of her legs and the path it took her, but I also get that the renewed push of the character after Flashpoint is all about putting her back in the game. So seeing her stepping up again, the emotional aspect from Bruce, and Harley’s misunderstanding, it all works pretty well.
In Summary:
With a lot of things going on with the characters here, we also get a push from Olympus at the very end here that sets the stage for what could be the larger battle of the Year at hand. It wouldn’t surprise me if it’s a feint, but the potential for a lot of fun there, and for Batman to end up either being a thorn in their side or an ally, could lead to a lot of fun – particularly since his team is all women now and the Amazon’s are ready to attack for Zeus. The book spends its time well in a few different areas – I loved Harley’s taking over of the Arrow-Cave and stashing Billy Batson there until he turns into a less-creepy-situation form for her – and I’m really curious to see just how far this event will go that involves Zeus.
Grade: B
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: DC Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: June 2nd, 2015
MSRP: $0.99
