All the plans that the Designer has built are coming to fruition and Batman can do nothing, but try and stay one step ahead of the curve. Spoilers for Batman #91 follow.
After the realization from the last issue that “Their Dark Designs” is basically just an extended prologue to “Joker War,” the storytelling began to make so much more sense. This arc has been good from the start, but they’re really hasn’t been much forward momentum happening. But now, taking into account what this arc truly is at its core, there still is not much forward momentum, but the set-up becomes much clearer. However, just because the set-up becomes clearer, that doesn’t mean that this issue suddenly becomes great. No, this issue is Tynion’s weakest in his short run so far. It’s not a bad issue, but there doesn’t feel to be any story progression in this issue, just some great set pieces.
So, what does this issue do right? Well, as mentioned, the set pieces in this issue are great. The majority of this issue takes place over two stories, Batman vs. Deathstroke and a Catwoman/Harley theft. Both of these sequences are really fun and get well into the heart of the characters involved. Bruce shows a side of him that we haven’t really seen before. While Catwoman and Deathstroke basically act like their normal selves with some minor tweaks. The standout though is very much Harley. I’m not a big fan of the character nor the idea of her being a Batman ally, but Tynion does a great job of characterizing her in this issue to make it believable.
Where the issue falls flat is the actual plot progression. This is an eight-issue storyline that, sure is pretty much a prologue, but that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be story progression. Tynion is usually great at handling both plot and character, but he doesn’t do a good job of it in this issue. Hopefully, moving into these last two issues, the plot progression is a bit better realized. And hey, with the next issue at least, speculators will be buying every issue no matter what because of the full debut of Punchline inside of Batman comic.
As for the art in the issue, it is split in three ways. Jorge Jimenez handles the first three pages, which focus on the Joker. Rafael Albuquerque handles the Batman vs. Deathstroke pages. Carlo Pagulayan takes on the Catwoman and Harley pages. Each of these artists are great and handle their pages with aplomb, but my personal favorites are Albuquerque’s pages. Every page is gorgeous and he shows why he’s one of the best under talked-about artists working in comics right now. Combine all three distinctive styles with Tomeu Morey’s excellent coloring, and this issue is surprisingly cohesive to boot.
[…] CHECK OUT: Batman #91 Review: Not Enough Progress in This Grand Design […]