Review: Batman #5

By: Peter J Mellini

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have crafted one of the most innovated and down right creepy issues of Batman in years!

Batman has been missing for weeks and as the entire Bat Family searches for him, the bat signal has been burning bright in hopes he’ll use it as beacon home.  Unfortunately the dark knight is trapped deep underground where he can’t see it, trapped within the maze of the Court of Owls.

Drugged and tortured psychologically, Batman suffers extreme paranoia, insane hallucinations, and slowly begins to fall into madness. While unable to trust his sense, the dark knight detective is determined as ever, as he continues to work the mystery out in his head.

Psychological thrillers are tricky, when done poorly the audience figures out the twists and turns miles before the ending.  When done well, the story tellers make the audience feel the paranoia and disorientation and bring them along the descent into madness. This is exactly what this issue does!

This issue proves that Snyder is on the same playing field as Grant Morrison. The moment you are forced to flip and twist the pages to follow the story, you know you’re reading an instant classic!  Snyder’s narration really sells the story. Showing that Bruce realizes he’s going crazy and attempting to solve a mystery that may or may not exists is a situation we rarely, if ever, see Batman in.

Greg Capullo is arguably the best artist to come out of the New 52 and this issue proves it. The creepy nature of his style not only sells the psychological nature of the story but pushes it to down right horror. Little details like Bruce’s torn cowl that reveals a constant wide eye really sells the fear in Batman. His misshapen character, with exaggerated features makes you feel the disorientation of Bruce’s hallucinations.

The best Batman title on the shelves just got better. Snyder and Capullo create an instant classic and if that ending doesn’t break your heart, then you’re made stone.