Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Batman #36Batman #36
DC Comics
Snyder, Capullo, Miki & Plascencia

The Joker is back in a big way as "Endgame" moves along with its second issue. This comic doesn't stop the action from the previous issue as Batman and Superman continue to square off. From there, we get the reveal of the Joker and some insight into his plot. It's a great read that steps on the accelerator from the first page and doesn't let up.

The issue opens with the fight between Batman and Superman. Batman begins to show his ability to prepare for anything. We know Batman is going to win, but the cleverness that Snyder uses to get to that point is excellent. He doesn't just pull one or two tricks, but four or five and each one seems to be more unique than the previous. These pages are Snyder at his creative best.

Batman has a ramp down as he tries to figure out what the Joker is up to. He has a couple of leads that don't really produce much so he returns to a very familiar place where the Joker and his plot are waiting for him. The reveal is excellent.

The only downside of the book is the backup tale. This pulls the reader right out of the terrific story that just concluded. I would have liked to see this either re-purposed as a standalone series or placed within the contents of the main book, but broken up. It's a good idea to have the on-the-ground view of the Joker's plot but the placement is not a good one at all.

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle ReviewsCapullo does a great job on artwork as always. Capullo mostly stays within the normal panel arrangement and visual story techniques but he does break the mold somewhat when Batman is confronted by the Joker. In some ways it makes sense that the focus stays on the story and visuals rather than some unique panel configuration but I do come to expect Capullo to break out of the norm and this issue is not that way. The comic is a very lively artistic presentation and that is what I expect from Capullo.

Batman finds himself in a very tough predicament as the book wraps up. Snyder manages to up the ante in this issue, which is a good thing. This makes waiting for the next issue all the harder. Isn't that all you can ask for from a comic book? I definitely recommend picking this issue up.

4.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles