REVIEW: ‘Batman’ Issue 3

Batman Issue 3 is published by DC Comics, written by Matt Fraction, art by Jorge Jiménez, colors by Tomeu Morey, and letters by Clayton Cowles.

Vandal Savage sets a conspiracy into motion as Batman is framed for murder.

Batman Issue 3 has a lot of ground to cover, and it does so effectively. Taking place a short while after the previous issue, with bodies still in the street and those affected in the hospital, it provides an opportunity for those seeking to take advantage and set plans in motion. There’s a more in-depth exploration of both Bruce and Batman’s lives, encompassing every aspect of the Caped Crusader. From spending time with his sons to fighting crime, he’s a busy man.

There is a plotline running underneath Batman Issue 3 that suddenly becomes the main story by the final page. The fight at the end involves one of Batman’s most iconic foes and is both entertaining and dramatic. However, it comes after a scene with Jim Gordon and Harvey Bullock that’s completely unrelated, so the transition into the scene can be jarring. As the fight intensifies, it becomes clearer how it’s connected to the underlying storyline.

Fraction provides a rather chatty Batman in this issue, having conversations with many people in and out of the cowl. There are problems with two of the Robins, with Bruce being given the cold shoulder by Tim Drake’s boyfriend after Tim ends up in the hospital. It’s a sign of how uncomfortable he can be as Bruce Wayne. This can also be seen in the boardroom. Damian Wayne, his youngest son, is afraid to step out into the world, reflecting his father’s influence and the way he was raised.

Batman is much more at ease on the rooftops and with the villains in Batman Issue 3. He’s both friendly and enigmatic with the detectives he knows so well. The dialogue strips up a notch in the fight scene. It’s surprising to see Batman talk so much. But it actually improves the scene, because it becomes apparent that his opponent isn’t talking back to him, instead babbling. It’s great to see Fraction utilize the supporting cast, borrowing elements from Zdarsky’s run before him and beginning to implement his own.

The art is phenomenal, with so much of the story being told through Jiménez. Batman Issue 3 is an incredibly physical issue, marked by strong personality traits. The facial expressions are magnificent. They can either be used to denote extreme fear or for comedic effect. The fight scenes are absolutely sensational. A training session between Bruce and Damian is fluid and fast-paced, showing the size differences and movements of both fighters.

The second battle is just as impressive, with Jiménez really capturing a villain who is solely lacking precision or direction. The impacts are intense, and Batman’s supremacy makes him look awesome. He’s also in a specialized suit that is ominous and imposing.

The colors always suit the atmosphere of the scene in Batman Issue 3. When Vandal Savage is at a crime scene, the street is bathed in a mixture of red and blue from the police lights. The hospital is awash in white, and Bullock’s office is a fusion of yellow and brown, making it look stuffy and dusty. Each tone offers a wealth of emotion and context to the page. The lettering is exceptional, with a hefty amount of SFX that ramps up the energy.

Batman Issue 3 is spreading the story around the city. Fraction drew us in with two action-packed and thoughtful issues, and is now extending further. The world of Batman is vast and complex, and exploring it all requires meticulous planning and organization. Batman Issue 3 branches out, making Gotham feel busy, while Jiménez and Morey make it look gorgeous. But the city is being shaken up too, with Savage and others breaking the status quo and shattering the dominance of the old guard.

Batman Issue 3 is available now wherever comics are sold.