Over the course of nine issues, Batman has gained knowledge in all forms of fighting, detective work, and spy skills. He’s nearly at the end of his world tour, learning from the best of the best, and in the penultimate issue, his final lessons are at hand. Those lessons are from none other than Ra’s al Ghul!
Picking up where we left off in Batman: The Knight #8, Bruce Wayne is not alone in this final lesson, as Anton is with him. The two parted ways a few issues ago due to Anton committing a bit of murder, but Bruce is hopeful his friend can change his ways. It’s just one example of how Bruce Wayne is still somewhat naive in this series. He’s not yet Batman, but he’s almost there. This issue continues to show there are a few more lessons yet before he can become the Batman.
The adventure element is vital in this issue, giving Bruce and Anton a few pages to track down Ra’s al Ghul and eventually come face to face with him. The two continue to bond, but writer Chip Zdarsky makes it clear Bruce isn’t so sure about his friend.
The portions with Ra’s al Ghul and his impressive headquarters are dense with dialogue, action, and intrigue. This issue also introduces Ra’s al Ghul’s daughter Talia, further connecting the dots for readers as Bruce meets them for the first time. Given the training aspect of the series, Zdarsky makes a good case for why Bruce would agree to more training from Ra’s al Ghul, although he’s skeptical. There are answers as to why Ra’s is really wanting Anton and Bruce’s attention, which culminates into a cliffhanger that should be highly exciting.
These two have been through a lot, but can Bruce be so naive to think his friend isn’t a natural born killer?
Credit: DC Comics
A standout scene in this issue is a fight between Ra’s al Ghul and Bruce, where Zdarsky makes it clear Bruce knows he isn’t ready for Ra’s al Ghul’s skills. The analytical side of Bruce is apparent, which is fun to watch since he’s well aware of how he comes across and uses that to his advantage.
This issue concerns the reader’s knowledge of Ra’s al Ghul and how Bruce’s interactions are firsts for him. Previous issues revealed new teachers for Bruce, adding a mysterious layer to uncover, but here we already know him, and he seems to be up to the usual things. A little more mystery around Ra’s al Ghul or his operations would have added a little more intrigue to the story.
Carmine Di Giandomenico does excellent work with character acting throughout the issue. There’s a good deal of dialogue (it’s a slower read for sure), and Giandomenico makes you question intentions and meaning thanks to the acting. In one scene, Ra’s al Ghul looks positively giddy as he stabs a character, but in the next moment, he’s deadly serious. In another scene, Bruce and Anton wait to see what happens next in al Ghul’s lair, and Giandomenico draws them sullenly like they are weary of their adventures but are ready for what comes next.
Ivan Plascencia’s colors continue to play with light in interesting ways. A light shining across Ra’s al Ghul’s face in one scene, for instance, conveys a sense of danger and evil. You can tell it’s an added layer of lighting to Giandomenico, although in other scenes, the shadows are intended to be dark. Plascencia always seems to draw the eye to the appropriate place.
It was a gamble to focus on Bruce Wayne’s years training to be Batman, but it has paid off. The second to last issue, Batman: The Knight #9, shows Bruce Wayne is very close to becoming Batman. Much like Batman, the creators have earned an ending that feels genuine and true to the characters, be it a new skillset or a revelation that has made Bruce closer to becoming the greatest hero to ever live.
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