Dark City

batman_25Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Greg Capullo and Danny Miki
Hot on the heels of Batman the Zero Year comes Dark City, the next installment in what is becoming the Snyder/Capullo era of Batman, an era that is making waves in the comic book realm and setting a new high standard for the caped crusader. Zero Year was a retelling of the dark knight's origins, resetting Gotham City as well as the early days of our ebony-clad hero. Like many readers, I was hesitant to read yet another retelling of Batman's early years, but what Snyder has accomplished is very impressive and I am happy that the decision was made to continue that story from there.

In the close of Zero Year, Bruce Wayne stood up against the Red Hood gang only to realize that their reach was far deeper than he could imagine. The corruption led to not only Wayne Industries but the police force as well.

Taking control as only he knew how, Wayne contributed to the police with a force of dirigibles (so that he can also spy on them) and built a powerful arsenal of weaponry as the Batman.

As he attempts to control the situation, a new villain called the Riddler strikes - knocking out Gotham's generators and plunging the city into darkness. With a newly designed battle suit and a magnificent Batmobile, Batman fights a new kind of battle against impossible odds... and another threat arrives called Doctor Death. Alfred can only look on in worry as Bruce proudly wears the scars of his conflicts as 'kisses' from his city. Dark days are in store for Batman.

Over the past few years, Snyder and Capullo have been recreated he Batman in a new vein, a more dangerous and edgier version than we have seen before. This has gotten a bit too intense for my liking in parts (the Joker wearing his face like a mask) but with the Zero Year reset it is interesting to see the comic take on a new spin of the Golden Age tales. Batman isn't the young turk that we saw in Batman Year One by Miller and Mazzuchelli. In Snyder and Capullo's comics he is a determined and driven man who gets his nose bloodied only to come back smarter and tougher. My only complaint is that I wish that the New 52 Batman had started with this story.

If you have been looking for a jumping on point and missed the sold out Zero Year run, this is a good one.