BATMAN #98 Review

SYNOPSIS: “The Joker War” part four of six! Batman is at his most vulnerable following a massive dose of an experimental new Joker toxin. With the Dark Knight haunted by demons and visions, it’s up to Harley Quinn to protect him while he recovers-because Punchline is on her way!

No Clownhunter.

No Joker zombies.

No Joker.  AND…

Really no sidebar “The Joker War” subplots in BATMAN #98.

As a result, this was the best installment of this story arc so far.

So, what’s in BATMAN #98/”The Joker War, Part Four?”  WELL…

Harley vs. Punchline, round 2, and Bruce Wayne vs. “Alfred.”

OK, maybe “vs.” is the wrong way to describe the interaction between Bruce — who is still trippin’ out on the “tea” Harley gave him in the previous issue — but “Alfred” ain’t pullin’ no punches, literally, during his stern, come-to-Jesus talk to Bruce.  And by the end of it, Harley’s “tea” eliminated Punchline’s poison from Batman’s system, and “Alfred” is gone for good…

Unless he isn’t.  ANYWAY…

In one of the coolest “I’m Batman!” moments I’ve seen in the pages of any Batman comic book — or on film for that matter — The Batman announces that he’s indeed back, has his sh*t together (as Harley has been demanding over the last few issues), and he’s going to save Gotham from The Joker’s war on his beloved city…

With help.

Help from Harley, help from Catwoman (and apparently, a few of Batman’s rogues), and the help of the Batman Family.

BATMAN #98 has great writing by James Tynion IV and wonderful artwork by Jorge Jimenez, so make sure you check it out! – Bill “Jett” Ramey

GRADE: A