Batman #18 Review

BATMAN #18

by Scott Snyder, Andy Kubert, and Alex Maleev

C'mon everyone, sing it with me!

In west Gotham born and raised...

So, Batman #18 is another interlude issue featuring one of my favorite new characters to come out of the DC relaunch: Harper Row. The first part of the issue is very good, with Harper and her brother visiting their father in Blackgate. Then, once Batman shows up, things go downhill. Snyder writes a very bland angry Batman. I mean, it's as if he's just some guy in a costume who likes to yell at people. I also did not like Harper's monologue at the end. In fact, even she acknowledges how corny she sounds. Also, there's nary a mention of Robin (besides the last page, in which a building's light are shaped in a letter "R"), who's death supposedly caused Bats to go over the edge. I mean, for all we know, It could have been the stress from Death of the Family causing Batman to get agitated. This is a very disappointing story from Snyder and crew. 

Andy Kubert's art is thankfully very fluid and dynamic. He draws an awesome Batman yelling at people. However, the art transition between Kubert and Maleev is jarring, but not enough to bring you out of the issue. Maleev's art looks pretty, and gritty, but is in contrast to Kubert's smooth and solid drawings.

Batman #17 is a surprisingly disappointing follow-up to the spectacular Batman #12. Poor Harper deserves a better story than this. And just why can't Batman accept her, even though she's saved his life twice, and kept him from going Bat-$#!@ insane? 

STORY: 2/5

+ Hooray for Harper!
- That monologue is so corny!

- So wait, how can we be sure Batman is angry because of robin's death? 

- Oh man, angry Batman equals boring Batman

ART: 4/5

+ Fluid and dynamic! (Say it with emotion!)

+ The transition between artists is surprisingly not as jarring as you would think

+ Maleev's art is gritty

- Two art styles are in direct contrast to each other

VERDICT: 3/5