DC Comics’s New 52 brought a number of changes to Batman and Batman comics. The character of Bruce Wayne has been de-aged and has been operating for roughly six years according to DC’s timeline. The most obvious problem that immediately comes to Bat fans minds is how exactly can they fit everything that’s happened in Batman’s recent history at the very least in such a short period of time. Grand stories like No Man’s Land and Knightfall come to mind. Over time, I suppose we shall see how DC deals with this (or ignores it) as they move forward. Currently, DC is releasing four main Batman titles on a monthly basis (five if you count Batman: Incorporated which is ending this week). This post is to take a look at each of the four comics out, and what differs them from the other.

Batman

Current Team: Scott Snyder (writer) & Greg Capullo (art).

Summary: Batman is the main Bat title, and certainly has made its case as the strongest of the Bat titles in the New 52. Snyder’s writing and Capullo’s art has been top-notch consistently every month they’ve worked together. The main Batman title has seen our hero fight the mysterious Court of Owls, the induction of Harper Row, the return of everyone’s friendly neighborhood psychopath clown; The Joker, and battle Clayface.

The current arc taking place in Batman is the anticipated Zero Year. The arc started on issue #21 (issue #22 came out this month) and there’s also an Annual that comes out this week that ties into Zero Year. This arc presents an opportunity for Batman to get an updated origin story, one of the few top heroes to do so up until this point. It also looks to be running into 2014. Zero Year is the perfect time to jump on this title that has been claimed by many to be the best book in the New 52.



Batman and Robin

Current Team: Peter J. Tomasi (writer) & Patrick Gleason (art).

Summary: Batman and Robin has made a strong case of it’s own to be not only the best Bat book in the New 52 but one of the best books in general. Tomasi’s writing has been nothing short of fantastic. The focus for this title through issue #17 was the father and son relationship between Bruce Wayne and Damian Wayne who was Robin. Damian Wayne being Bruce’s son because of his time spent with Talia Al Ghul (Damian’s mother). The book did a great job of mixing humor and seriousness into a consistently wonderful book.

Issue #18 (Requiem issue after Damian died in Batman: Incorporated) is arguably the greatest single issue of the New 52. Issue #19 through now (issue #22 out this month) has seen Batman come to terms with the loss of Damian in a powerful arc known as the Five Stages of Grief. Each issue has Batman going through one stage of grief. Next month’s issue is the final issue of the arc (Batman & Nightwing #23) until villain’s month. The current arc has gotten attention for introducing Carrie Kelley into the New 52. That’s right, that Carrie Kelley.

The future after Villain’s Month in September sees Batman facing off against Two-Face for five issues. Carrie Kelley is also involved in some unknown shape or form. Whether she will become the next Robin remains to be seen.

Batman: Detective Comics

Current Team: John Layman (writer) & Jason Fabok (art).

Summary: The first issue of ‘Tec started off with a bang as the reader saw (but not really see) Joker get his face cut off willingly by a villain known as The Dollmaker. ‘Tec initially was written by Tony S. Daniel, known better to some Bat readers who wrote some fantastic issues prior to the New 52 with Dick Grayson as Batman. Unfortunately, I didn’t find his New 52 work on ‘Tec to be all that exciting. Daniel wrote arcs where Batman fought The Dollmaker, The Penguin (who looked like the Joker slightly in terms of outfit), and Hypnotic before departing after issue #12.

John Layman took over with issue #13, starting off with an arc known as Emperor Penguin. This has been one of the better Penguin stories in recent years. The involvement of Poison Ivy and Clayface has also been well-done. ‘Tec has also seen Batman face off against the League of Smiles, and celebrate it’s overall 900th issue ever with issue #19. The current arc that started with issue #22 (this month) sees Batman facing off against Wrath, the anti-Batman. For those interested, this month’s issue is a good time to jump on Detective Comics.

Batman: The Dark Knight

Current Team: Gregg Hurwitz (writer) and Alex Maleev (artist).

Summary: I feel the need to preface this part with saying that you really shouldn’t bother to read the first nine issues of this book. The first nine issues of this book were arguably the worst writing in the New 52, although David Finch’s art (he also wrote the book) was fantastic. Here’s four panels that really say it all: [One] [Two] [Three] [Four] All of that being said, beautiful art. Although I will say that I am still a bit peeved that DC marketed Tim Drake being in issue #9, put him on the cover, and have him be in one panel.

Gregg Hurwitz on the other hand (who also wrote the five issue miniseries Penguin: Pain & Prejudice, which you should totally read) has breathed some fresh life into this comic. He wrote one of the best Scarecrow and then one of the best Mad Hatter stories I’ve seen in years. The fact there was still six issues dedicated to the unfortunately underutilized Mad Hatter is great. This month’s issue (#22) which came out last week starts a new arc with Clayface. Definitely recommend picking this up.

Those are the four main Batman books in the New 52. If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll pick up at least one of these books. Happy reading!

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