BATMAN #34

[ DIG YOURSELF A DEAL BAT-STYLE ] 

There is a killer on the loose in my city. Who is it? I do not know. But I tell you something for nothing, my friend. I will track this fiend down with some noted assistance from: Scott Snyder, Matteo Scalera, and DC Comics in August, 2014. Beware. Beware of the bat!!!!

To QUOTE Henri Blot: 'Every man to his own tastes. Mine is for corpses'.

THE STORY:

After receiving a disturbing telephone call from Doctor Leslie Thompkins, suggesting that a number of her patients have been killed by a savage mad-man, Batman goes in search for this fiend, and tries his best to catch him in the act one way or another.

Does he succeed? Does he fail? Does he make a joke? What do you think? He's Batman, isn't he? Case closed.

THE GOOD:

If you're the type of person who loves stand-alone story-lines about serial killers and masked vigilantes, my God, are you in for a real treat if you pick up this installment of Batman.

To start off with, I have to say that Scott's down and dirty narrative is both earthy and suspenseful to follow, plus it is complemented to the nth degree by Matteo's stark and sullen visuals. What I enjoyed about it the most was how this was a detective type tale first, and a hunter / hunted type tale second.  As if the main brunt of the plot centered more around our hero than the fruit-loop he was pursuing. 

Having said that, though, it still found some time for Batman to explain what was happening to some of the other characters in the Bat Universe -- including Jim and Selina -- as well as having a few great cameo appearances by Leslie, Harvey, and Ace the Bathound.  

Honestly, my friend. I'm unable to say anymore than that or else I may give too much away. But what I can say is that this was a great read if you're a fan of psychological murder mysteries, involving a mad grave digger who wants to kill-kill-kill for no apparent reason.

Or does he?

THE BAD:

The only slight gripe I have against this issue -- and I do mean only slight gripe -- is that nearing its ending the tone shifted slightly, as if Scott wanted to give his narrative a more memorable yet poetic conclusion. Not that this is a bad-bad thing, of course. It's just once Batman had to do whatever he had do, essentially the closing section felt slightly disjointed somehow. As if it were meant to be a part of another story-line.

THE MUSIC:

Do you know what? Because this tale is rhapsodic, suspenseful, baroque, and possesses a rather nice ending to it, I feel compelled to musically match it up with the theme tune to the Tim Burton movie, Edward Scissorhands.

THE COMPARISON:

In essence this adventure was about Batman tracking down and catching a crazed American serial killer who murders his victims in cold blood. And to me, personally, nothing say's crazed American serial killer more than H.H. Holmes.

No relation to Sherlock. Although there are many more I could have mentioned as well. Like Ed Gein, Ted Bundy, or Marilyn Manson. Ha!

THE CONCLUSION:

Now without giving too much away -- kind of -- nearing the end of this book Batman sticks the serial killer in question into a cell belonging to one of his rogue's gallery. So just for fun, let's see if you can guess whose cell it is out of the following eight suspects.

1. The Joker -- So he can scare him to death.
2. Miley Cyrus -- So she can twerk him to death.
3. Two Face -- So he can explain why one add one doesn't always equal two.
4. Robert Downey Junior -- So he can explain how his own personal style of acting is basically being yourself.
5. The Riddler -- So he can boar him to death.
6. Kim Kardashian -- See previous answer for more details, but add a big ass and massive pair of... coff-coff... for good measure.
7. Bane -- So he can use him as a footstool.
8. Barry Manilow -- Hey! I have to have at least one Barry Manilow reference per month. It's the law of England.

Nuff said.