There’s been so much speculation about how Death of the Family will end; who lives, who dies, who is irrevocably changed forever. Under normal circumstances, fan expectation this high would result in a multitude of reactions after flipping past the last page; one of which would most certainly be disappointment. Disappointment that the story ended differently than you were hoping, or worse, exactly how you predicted. What’s stunning about the conclusion of Death of the Family in Batman #17 is that Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo manage to navigate that murky territory and not only completely defy expectations for the big finish, but also deliver exactly what we were promised.

Since this review is spoiler-free, I obviously won’t be getting into specifics, which is admittedly difficult, as so much of this issue’s value stems from how it pays off certain beats and how it explores Batman’s motivations to act like he does. However, the turn of events in this final chapter bring this story full circle in a way that even the most astute readers won’t be expecting, and Snyder finally makes his mark on the well-traversed dichotomy between Batman and the Joker. Much of what the writer explored in previous chapters has been dealt with in other Joker stories to varying degrees, but it’s in this final, terrifying confrontation that a new angle is brought to light.

Batman: Death of the Family Postmortem

What we get of Joker/Batman in Batman #17 is a continuation of what came before, but also presents a new facet to their relationship that only deepens the mythology behind these characters. The final dialogue between the two enemies in this chapter is quite possibly the greatest exchange between them since the end of The Killing Joke, and I don’t say that lightly.Even more impressive is the long-lasting ramifications that Snyder is able to deliver. After Death of the Family, it’s clear that the dynamics between the Bat-family both inside of Batman proper and their own respective series are going to be vastly altered. Better yet, you won’t have to wait for the next issue to see that; it’s quite clear by the time you turn the last page in issue #17. If there’s any nit to pick in this book, it’s simply that the opening pages are a bit rambling before getting to the point, but then, it’s the Joker. That’s sort of his shtick.It’s the final pages of the book, after the battle is done and the dust as apparently settled, that Snyder makes his final, ultimate point; where he dots his I’s and crosses his T’s. The last few pages of Batman #17 will linger long after you put this comic back in its bag and file it away into your ever-growing long box. It’s an absolutely stunning finale to the strongest arc this series has seen to date.For his part, Capullo brings home this concluding chapter with a ferocity and detail that we’ve never seen before. I feel like I say this for every issue, but this just might be Capullo’s finest. While there’s so much to rejoice in here, the work on Joker himself is what really shines. Capullo continues to show the wear and tear on the Joker’s reattached face; we see it becoming more stretched and loose, sliding off of his head in new ways. There’s one instance that Batman punches him, and Capullo manages to portray the flappy skin being twisted around this face as a result. It’s seriously gruesome, but also one of the most beautiful images that Capullo has concocted in this long run on Batman.Another stunning piece of work in this issue comes in a splash page that depicts Joker’s unending adoration for the Dark Knight; it’s haunting and strangely romantic in a way that only the Joker could manage. But even more than the horrifying detail that Capullo provides these pages, there’s simply no denying the grace and apparent effortlessness with which he tells the story visually. Every single page in this chapter reads as though you’re watching a movie; even when the action is slim – the first few pages is basically a bunch of people talking around a table – Capullo’s work is dynamic and ridiculously expressive. With the aid of inker Jonathan Glapion and colorist FCO Plascencia, Batman #17 is one of the most vibrant, disturbing, and attractive comic books you’re likely to see this year.

Joey is a Senior Editor at IGN and a comic book creator. Follow Joey on Twitter @JoeyEsposito , or find him on IGN at Joey-IGN . He will love Star Wars until he becomes one with the Force, and then he will continue loving it as a blue ghost.