Chip Zdarsky’s epic Batman run continues this week, and the ultimate Batman robot, Failsafe, is pretending to be the real Batman! Trapped in a cell with Joker under Blackgate prison, can Batman escape, let alone defeat a robot that nearly killed him once before?
This issue continues to contextualize a few things regarding the Joker and what we know of Batman of Batman of Zur-En-Arrh. This recontextualization is a big reason why Zdarsky’s story is so epic since every issue has built up to this. Gone are the five- or six-issue story arcs, as it appears to be all one powder keg building. That includes direct ties to Zdarsky’s Batman: The Knight prequel series, which is heavily referenced in this issue.
Batman #146 opens with Joker revealing all of his most dastardly and downright evil acts in the past, which were a means to bring out the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh. Traditionalists may scoff at this bold reveal, but you have to admit it’s a big swing that adds a lot to what we know. Since these legacy characters have barely changed over decades, it’s a cool concept to wrap your head around.
Joker did all this for a single reason!
Credit: DC Comics
Speaking of recontextualizing, this issue makes a case for The Warden as the main villain of this story arc. Joker is a blunt object he seemingly used to get revenge on Bruce. The dynamic between The Warden and Joker continues to be a curious one that’ll be fun to unpack as the series continues.
Another villain is Failsafe, who is being questioned by the likes of Batgirl and Nightwing as to his true identity. Cleverly, Zdarsky shows Batman’s family isn’t 100% certain if he’s Bruce or not, but they do have to consider Bruce putting himself in a robot is plausible. Meanwhile, Damian is all-in on believing the robot is his dad. Along the way, some nice character acting shows Damian’s point of view isn’t as blind as we might think.
As the story continues, it’s pretty clear this story will draw in every villain of Gotham, let alone the goons. Zdarsky even economically loops in past key characters in his run, like Superman and Vandal Savage. The plotting is impressive when you consider all the moving pieces involved.
My only gripe is Damian, who blindly follows Failsafe. Likely it’s due to the page count, but there’s really only one panel that gives him some saving grace. More time spent showing why he wants to follow Failsafe so blindly could have made his following him feel earned.
The art continues to be great. This issue lacks a backup, but Michele Bandini continues to deliver on the Joker side in the opening of the issue. As we see new context with Joker’s acts, it’s nice to see Bandini get new context by drawing the main story. Jorge Jimenez gets to show off great bits of action, like Batman attacking a drove as if he were soaring, or a crazy militant bat-plane Failsafe uses. The way he shows Killer Croc enter the issue is also great, first with him exiting a window and then bouncing his way into a taxi. You can feel the bone-crunching force.
Love or hate the recontextualizing of Joker’s past acts, you have to admit this is as bold as any Batman comic of the last two decades. Zdarsky continues to build on lore and what we know in Batman #146, making it his own while exciting readers with a narrative that could go in any direction. Batman is cutting-edge and exciting every page of the way.
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