What kills plants? The cold, obviously.
BATMAN #14 continues the “Bad Seeds” event spreading throughout multiple comics, but works just fine on its own.
The issue has a pretty simple premise, dipping between two locations. Batman, who is under Gotham, is on a mission to find Mr. Freeze’s winter machine. While marching deeper underground, he’s having a conversation with Verity Pennyworth, the new butler back at the mansion. Unbeknownst to The Dark Knight, she’s discovered some shady GCPD officers trying to take advantage of Gotham plant disaster, and robbing the mansion. The issue bounces back and forth between the characters/locations, with some entertaining action, dialogue, and an end moment that definitely makes you think BATMAN & ROBIN.
Writer Matt Fraction does another commendable job this month delivering a BATMAN issue that fits into an event, but also stands firmly on its own as a fun Batman comic. Our hero never dips into being unrecognizable, doing and saying Batman things, while always keeping his attention on the main objective. That main objective isn’t necessarily anything new, nor surprising, but Fraction’s way of constructing the story and character makes it fun.
Verity Pennyworth. I applaud Fraction’s easing us into accepting her, too. Yes, she showed up rather quickly, but he’s been patient. He doesn’t write anything too strong for her here, but is helping earn her acceptance. She’s morally just, has a slight butler wit in her responses, and is physically able to hold her own. Not saying she’s anywhere close to Alfred, but I’m not minding her thus far either.
This month’s issue also brings aboard superstar artist Matteo Scalera. He’s dipped into various issues and stories in Batman’s world, bringing fun action pieces with a decent amount of shadow and darkness. It helps that this issue takes place at night, and Scalera truly shines with that setting. The action is clean. The shadows are dark. The characters are defined. A well-drawn issue.
Overall, another solid entry in this “Bad Seeds” event. Worth checking out, regardless how involved you are. – Ryan Lower
