Batman #72: Sing The Old, Old Story

I have long been a big fan of King’s experimental narrative style. I’ve had fun watching him play fast and loose with the canon and history of these well-established characters. I am aware that a great many readers have been less patient with King’s style, but for the most part I’ve enjoyed (and occasionally frankly delighted in) his unorthodox idea of what a cape book is meant to do.

That’s why it’s such a disappointment that these last few issues seem to have been phoned in. This issue brings absolutely nothing new to the table. It doesn’t serve to forward the plot in any way. It doesn’t lend any insight into the minds or hearts of any character — aside, perhaps, from one insecurity-revealing dig at Alfred.

All this story does is replay the same damned fight we’ve seen five hundred times before, from another tired angle. And that’s infuriating.

This kind of narrative laziness, from someone so talented, is an insult to the readers.

Now, the artwork is wonderful. I’m NEVER going to complain about reading 17 pages of Mikel Janin and Jorge Fornes’ artwork — especially when the fight scenes are so undeniably beautiful.

In terms of fluidity of movement and clarity of action, it’s hard to do better. And Jordie Bellaire’s coloring effectively alternates between subtle and vivid. It’s atmospheric work — a pleasure for the eyes.

But.

It’s only 17 pages.

That’s barely enough for an issue. It’s hardly a script.

It’s becoming ever more clear that King doesn’t have that much more story to tell.

If you are short on cash but determined to see how this story plays out, you can safely skip this issue. And that’s a shame. But that’s the truth.