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james_desantis 's review for:
Batman Vol. 5: Rules of Engagement
by Tom King
Tom King has done it. He has made a 5 star volume of Batman. It's been a LONG time since I gave a Batman book a 5 star.
See this volume does something the previous did not. There's no big threat, no danger looming in the background, nobody dies (okay maybe someone at one point) but this is a story that gives real humanity to Bruce. We finally see a extremely vulnerable Bruce who's going through shit internally and you can see it effecting him. This is because last arc Batman had asked Selina to Marry him and she said yes. Now we face the leading up to marriage.
We have a story of the Batman and Catwoman traveling into the desert to face Talia. Not so much for combat, though she does send guards to attack them, but for Batman to know how serious he is about this Marriage. Funny enough it will be Selina who will do the talking. Then we have a one shot annual that goes through Bruce's entire life with Selina and it's...well we'll get to that. Then we have a two parter about Bruce and Clark meeting up, and their lovely ladies chatting it up, and you see a very human side to everyone.
Good: Everything. Seriously. The first arc probably being the weakest but still really strong. To get a little more indepth on Selina mindset here and how much she cares about Bruce is wonderful. The reaction from the Batfamily is wonderful. The best being Damien and Dick, and then watching their reaction and talk is near perfect.
The annual might go down as one of my favorite stories ever for Batman. I love the emotion it captures. It hardly has Batman dressed up at all but you get to see his first meetings with Catwoman till the last few days of their life, and it's bitter, and beautiful, and very very very well done.
Last but not least you have Superfriends two parter which is Clark and Bruce first refusing to call each other. Too scared to have the ladies meet. However, hearing them speak about each other is so wonderful and a great insight to how they really feel. Second part is them all going out, including lois and Selina and it's so wonderful, and cute, and well done, and feels like it's made for ADULTS. Like only adults can understand the relationships going on here because you've been through it.
Bad: None
I honestly loved every moment of this volume. Well paced, amazing dialog, truly strong character moments, and a future that sounds bright as can be. I only fear the happiness Bruce is trying to seek will be taken from him so for now, I bask in it till it's gone. A 5 out of 5.
See this volume does something the previous did not. There's no big threat, no danger looming in the background, nobody dies (okay maybe someone at one point) but this is a story that gives real humanity to Bruce. We finally see a extremely vulnerable Bruce who's going through shit internally and you can see it effecting him. This is because last arc Batman had asked Selina to Marry him and she said yes. Now we face the leading up to marriage.
We have a story of the Batman and Catwoman traveling into the desert to face Talia. Not so much for combat, though she does send guards to attack them, but for Batman to know how serious he is about this Marriage. Funny enough it will be Selina who will do the talking. Then we have a one shot annual that goes through Bruce's entire life with Selina and it's...well we'll get to that. Then we have a two parter about Bruce and Clark meeting up, and their lovely ladies chatting it up, and you see a very human side to everyone.
Good: Everything. Seriously. The first arc probably being the weakest but still really strong. To get a little more indepth on Selina mindset here and how much she cares about Bruce is wonderful. The reaction from the Batfamily is wonderful. The best being Damien and Dick, and then watching their reaction and talk is near perfect.
The annual might go down as one of my favorite stories ever for Batman. I love the emotion it captures. It hardly has Batman dressed up at all but you get to see his first meetings with Catwoman till the last few days of their life, and it's bitter, and beautiful, and very very very well done.
Last but not least you have Superfriends two parter which is Clark and Bruce first refusing to call each other. Too scared to have the ladies meet. However, hearing them speak about each other is so wonderful and a great insight to how they really feel. Second part is them all going out, including lois and Selina and it's so wonderful, and cute, and well done, and feels like it's made for ADULTS. Like only adults can understand the relationships going on here because you've been through it.
Bad: None
I honestly loved every moment of this volume. Well paced, amazing dialog, truly strong character moments, and a future that sounds bright as can be. I only fear the happiness Bruce is trying to seek will be taken from him so for now, I bask in it till it's gone. A 5 out of 5.