Deron Generally
Deron Generally
The Batman Who Laughs #7
DC Comics
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Jock
Colors by David Baron
Letters by Sal Cipriano
The Rundown: Batman is slowly succumbing to the Joker toxin coursing within him and he has only one chance to stop the Batman Who Laughs from poisoning the entire city.
Bruce and the Batman Who Laughs face each other on the grounds of Wayne Manor with a young Bruce Wayne caught in the middle and time running out. Bruce can now see the world the same way BWL does and both of them know instinctively that the other is biding time until his plan unfolds. When BWL finds an opening, he strikes and both Batmen fight for their lives with the fate of Gotham City hanging in the balance.
At the same time, Jim Gordon is fighting the Grim Knight to stop him from dumping the rest of the toxin into the water supply and both men will fight for the sole of Gordon’s son James who holds the key to either finishing the city or helping his father.
The Story: There is an amazing symmetry to this story from beginning to end and both the plotting and characters share it. Both sides of the story work great together and the father/son themes between Bruce/Alfred and Jim/James are perfect in their subtlety. The pace was amazing. I found myself concerned and surprised at several points in the story and was on edge about whether or not Bruce would succeed and what that would look like. Just when I thought the story was going in one direction, Scott Snyder sets up one last surprise reveal that seemingly came out of nowhere and was a complete surprise. It was a brilliant reveal because you don’t imagine it, but the story both justifies and explains it in a way where you’re shocked you didn’t see it earlier.
There is also a great lead in to the upcoming Batman/Superman series at the end.
The Art: Jock brings all his talent to bear on this final issue. There are most of beauty and visceral horror throughout and so many of the visual moments in the story stand out with some awesome panels that take your breath away.
The Batman Who Laughs #7
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