The “DC All In” initiative is kicking off, and Batman #153 is part of it, acting as a great starting point for new readers. After Absolute Power and the ongoing threat of Failsafe, writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Jorge Jimenez embark on a new angle on Batman, especially now that Gotham is relatively safe!
Batman #153 opens with a couple and their daughter walking down a seemingly sketchy street. We’ve seen this take place before in Gotham, and we immediately assume it won’t go well. A strange man comes up to them, but soon, we see Batman watching from above, and the man is helping them find their destination.
With Gotham different and James Gordon now a P.I., the first two pages make Batman feel like it’s on a whole new course. That includes a new take on Riddler and ongoing turmoil in the mayoral office.
If those elements seem a bit stuffy, expect a lot of that kind of drama in lengthy dialogue scenes. Jimenez is a master at character acting and keeping your interest up, like streaks of red light through the windshield of Bruce’s car or a well-placed laptop snapping as Bruce leaves a meeting.
Riddler’s new role is intriguing.
Credit: DC Comics
That isn’t to say this issue lacks action; in fact, a new hero enters the fray. I won’t spoil it, but he’s seemingly patriotic-themed and ruthlessly violent. With the changes Zdarsky and Jimenez are making to this book, one can see they may be leaning towards Batman getting less violent himself, with this new “hero” juxtaposed against him.
That character is introduced in a car chase scene in the daylight, with some intense action moments to ogle. Tomeu Morey does some striking things with color, such as when the police point their guns at Batman. As far as DC’s “All In” initiative, this new character feels like a good dose of newness to get fans curious.
That said, with your blood up, the issue ends with two nine-panel grid pages and a final cliffhanger page suggesting two major developments. Over three scenes, we get a good bit of detail on two major mysteries to track going forward. Both should be quite interesting, indeed.
Batman #153 is a great jumping-on point as it reveals a new Gotham, a new major villain with a new angle, and two new major mysteries. Aside from the issue being light on action, it’s well crafted and deepens the melodrama Bruce faces politically and personally.
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