Batman #98 Review: Two Clowns and a Bat on a Spirit-Quest

Unconscious and trying to fight off the Joker toxin in his system, Batman must go on a spirit-quest to re-center himself to finish his war with Joker. Spoilers for Batman #98 follow.

So far “Joker War” has had its ups and downs and has never really felt that it has fully had a proper momentum to the story being told. Now, with Batman getting over his Joker toxin poisoning and going on a spiritual journey, that shouldn’t bode well for the pacing of the story. However, in the rare exception to spirit-quest pacing in stories, this issue gives the arc the kick that it needed to propel the story forward. Plus, there’s a great Harley and Punchline fight in this issue.

In the spirit-quest portions of this issue, the issue really doesn’t do anything all that surprising in the terms of story. Bruce doesn’t realize he’s hallucinating, then he does, and he comes to terms with the real world thanks to his hallucination of Alfred. However, it’s in the execution that this storyline really shines. Everything from James Tynion IV’s dialogue to Jorge Jimenez’ layouts, linework, and inks to Tomeu Morey’s colors, it all comes together to create something incredibly touching and hopeful. Those aren’t things that many considered Batman to be, but at the heart of the character, he very much is and this issue does a great job of capturing that feeling.

Image by DC Comics/Art by Jorge Jimenez

Outside of Batman’s mind though, Harley gets her rematch with Punchline after getting her throat slit. This very much could have been a simple fight scene between the two and, because it’s drawn by Jorge Jimenez, it would’ve been great. But this issue also looks at the dichotomy between Harley and Punchline in a not exactly nuanced way, but in a way that is beneficial in differentiating the two. They both have filled the same position for the Joker, but they are definitely not the same type of person.

And hey, it’s nice to see Catwoman back in the picture after she hasn’t appeared since issue #94. She’s exactly where you’d think she’d be which is in Penguin’s stronghold, being forced to wait out the chaos. Really, that’s where this issue could have left her, and it would have been completely fine. However, it’s nice to see her being the hero that she truly even before she leaves the compound to go out and help Batman.

As mentioned above, Jorge Jimenez and Tomeu absolutely kill it once again in the art department on this issue. No matter what is needed on the page, whether it is a quiet moment that needs convey an emotion or a kinetic action sequence, they nail nearly every moment in this issue. This is no surprise as they’ve been superb for the past several issues, so it would honestly be more shocking if this issue didn’t look phenomenal.

CHECK OUT: Batman #97 Review: Nowhere to Go But Up From Here

Related articles

The Mysterious Oarfish: A Harbinger of Doom?

The oarfish, a long and enigmatic creature of the deep sea, has captured the imaginations of sailors, fishermen, and storytellers for centuries. Known scientifically as Regalecus glesne, the oarfish is the longest bony fish...

Rey Skywalker’s Crucial Role in the Future of Star Wars

In the ever-expanding Star Wars universe, few characters have generated as much attention and intrigue as Rey, the heroine at the center of the sequel trilogy. Played by Daisy Ridley, Rey Skywalker’s journey from...

Pee V Pee: Dwayne Johnson, Jennifer Lawrence and Media Double Standards

In the world of celebrity news, it’s no secret that certain stories catch fire based on how they align with – or challenge – public expectations. Sometimes, these narratives reveal deeper cultural biases, particularly...

10 Actors Who Could Play Agent Venom in an Upcoming Movie

With the success of Venom and its sequel, fans are eagerly speculating about what’s next for the symbiote in the Spider-Man universe. One of the most intriguing directions a future Venom movie could take...

5 Comic Stories An Agent Venom Movie Could Adapt

With Venom continuing to dominate the big screen, there’s a growing interest in expanding the character’s cinematic universe. One potential direction for a future Venom film could involve the transformation of Eddie Brock into...
spot_img

Latest articles

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Batman #98 gains the story momentum it needs from the most unlikely of places.Batman #98 Review: Two Clowns and a Bat on a Spirit-Quest