Written by M.J. Rawls
You know there’s a real threat in Gotham City when all the rules about the Batman character is seemly discarded at the present moment. Batman’s suicide squad? Yes, you read that correctly. In order to find a cure for Gotham Girl and to get to Psycho Pirate, Batman finds himself partnering with Amanda Waller to make his own version of the Suicide Squad to combat Bane. The beginning part of the comic serves as a brief, vivid reintroduction of the Bane character.
Writer Tom King uses Issue #9 as a prequel episode to what will become the big battle at the prison. We briefly meet the rag-tag group that Batman, Waller, and Gordon agreed upon. With the exception of one person, these are made up of lesser known Batman universe villains.
Artist Mikel Janin uses a combination of direct conversation, for example, when Batman is talking to Alfred earlier on in the comic and focusing on the indirect as when Batman is walking through the prison. There are conversations going on, but we get more insight on what is happening in the background as they are occurring.
Batman #9 is the calm before the storm. This Batman is different – in terms that he is now willing to do whatever it takes (breaking laws, his morals) to get the job done.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
