The Weird, Wonderful World of Current Batman Comics

None of the Batman comics currently published by DC should be any good…but somehow they are.

Lets take a look… What the hell factor:Infinite.

None of those things are associated with the main character in the book right now.

Why it works:Because its about something bigger than who Bruce Wayne punches.

But it was the real world problems that in the end gave away the whole game.

Because at its core, what is Batman?

DETECTIVE COMICS

The Pitch:Jim Gordon in a mech suit joins the Justice League.

Why It Works:Because it leans into the absurdity.

Mecha Batman or not, Gordon is never going to fit in with the Justice League.

Hes Snapper Carr in a power loader.

Pre-Identity CrisisMax Lord in an Autobot exosuit.

So thats why Flash and Commissioner Gordon do an autopsy on a murdered giant is a great idea.

What the Hell Factor:Moderate to severe.

Someone to dress up like a pack ofFruit Stripeand jump around with him.

…I cant possibly be the only one who did that.

Why it Works:This is really what Robin is about, isnt it?

The addition of Robin to Batmans crusade made it less a crusade and more an opportunity for growth.

This is applying that growth to the entire city of Gotham vigilantism as a hybrid civic activism/social movement.

What the Hell Factor:A New 52 continuity ouroboros made of precious metals.

Compressing Batmans entire history down to 5 years completely screws up his timeline.

I guess Batman went through a Robin every 9 months or so?

But calling attention to that time period, whichB&R Eternalis doing, is a sketchy proposition.

What the Hell Factor:Honestly, not that much.

But hipsters are kinda annoying, so theres that.

Why it Works:Theres nothing annoying about Babs Tarrs art.

Its not exclusively her design work, though.

And her action scenes are impeccable.

Tarr conveys movement and gives her fights a sense of place as well as the best Spider-Man artists do.

What the Hell Factor:Light and firm, likedat ass.

Also, did I mention gleefully violent?

Theres an issue where Midnighter punches himself deaf so his opponent cant use her killing words on him.

Related: I LOVE WRITING ABOUT COMICS.

The Pitch:Selina Kyle, Mob Boss.

What the Hell Factor:Four fishes wrapped in bulletproof vests out of a possible five.

Her comic is most certainly not that instead of whimsy and flirting, theres murder and intrigue.