BATMAN #13 REVIEW

BATMAN #13

by Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo and Jock

The Joker's back. And it looks like we've got one hell of a story ahead of us.

If this issue is only an omen of things to come, then the Bat-Family is going to need a lot of help to get through this alive. After a chilling opening monologue, the issue delves into an extremely intense and scary scene in the GCPD. Snyder plays with your mind, shrouding many panels in pure darkness so the worst is left to the reader's imagination.  From there, we've got an issue just as good, and the intensity is cranked up to 11.  This single issue makes the ENTIRE Court of Owls arc look like a Disney movie. Snyder successfully shows us that the Joker isn't playing games. The cliffhanger  implies that the Joker knows everything about the Bat Family, and he's playing mind  games with them. The Joker even has a new Joker Gas  that shows he's not joking. Even Harley Quinn thinks the Joker has gone too far. However, the issue's story isn't perfect. Many characters make stereotypical horror movie  level mistakes. For example, the lights in the GCPD building go out, and Gordon is the only one smart enough to bring out his flashlight. (Spoilers) Also, Batman makes one VERY idiotic mistake  and runs into the Joker's trap. If the Court of Owls was an action movie, then Death of the Family is a horror movie (with all of the same flaws.).

On the art, Capullo's art is much more detailed than usual. He strays away from his usually cartoony style  and veers toward a darker and gritty look. Capullo uses muted  colors throughout the book and visually separates it from the Court of Owls arc. 

You know how in horror movies, there are those parts where you think to yourself "Something's going to come out in a few  moments..." and you start tensing up in your seat? That's essentially the backup of this issue. There is a merciless buildup to the ending, which even provides more insight to the issue's cliffhanger. Jock's artwork fits the story too. His  style evokes fear out of readers with his way of manipulating shadows.

This issue of Batman is a winner. The Joker  is back in Gotham, and he's ready to make up for his absence and more. If the story remains this quality, it just might be the next Killing Joke.  

Also, who draws a better Joker? While Capullo draws the Joker by letting his pen run wild, trying to cram as much terror into him as possible, I'm going with Jock, since the way he draws the Joker's smile... *Shiver*

STORY: 4/5

ART: 5/5

BACKUP: 4/5

VERDICT: 4.5/5