Batman

• Title: Detective Comics #963
• Comic Vine: link
• Writers: James Tynion IV, Christopher Sebela
• Artist: Carmen Nunez Carnero

Before the Dark Knight can turn his attention to searching for his missing partner he needs to track down Tim Drake‘s significant other who has traded in her Bat-Family membership for an alliance with Anarky. First created by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle back in 1989, Anarky is an unusual villain with a focus on justice through chaos. The current Rebirth version seems a bit more stable than some incarnations of the character over the years, although we’ve seen only the briefest glimpse.

The issue also gives us a short back-up story concerning Clayface which foreshadows the end of his heroic turn (hopefully not too soon, as I’ve liked this new path for the character).

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• Title: Batman #29
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Tom King
• Artist: Mikel Janin

Batman #29 is a bizarre issue. I never thought I would see Batman offer criminals a huge payday to continue their mayhem in Gotham City. The entire comic takes place at the Wayne Manor dinner table where Bruce Wayne has gathered both the Riddler and the Joker (and some of their top lieutenants). With the War of Jokes and Riddles raging, and Batman impotent to stop it, Batman decides to… throw a dinner party?

The inconsistent use of narration continues, disappearing in an issue that seems to take place more in real time than the narrated series of events Batman is relating to Catwoman years later. The setting is bizarre in the extreme, but I have even more trouble with Batman contemplating throwing in the towel and further facilitating the nefarious deeds of dozens of criminals (offer one side $1 billion). Wouldn’t calling in the Justice League (or literally anything else) make more sense?

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