Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH Podcast!
For this entry, Gotham City has been officially declared a warzone as DC Comics’ most dangerous city gets caught up in a game of cat and mouse …. or should we say “Cat and Bat”?
Fresh off a buzz-making debut chapter, Batman #137 by Chip Zdarsky, Jorge Jiménez, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles continues to give fans prime seats as the implosion of the bat family continues! let’s take a closer look as the drama unfolds, shall we?
Batman #137 by Chip Zdarsky, Jorge Jiménez, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles (Credit: DC Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
From the fallout of “Knight Terrors”, Batman has exhausted himself past his own limits. The result is Bruce Wayne has been “asleep” for a LONG time. When he awakens, Gotham City is a different place. Crime is down significantly. The cause is an initiative taken that brings up a question of ethics to the Caped Crusader. The person behind the movement makes it even that more complex: Selina Kyle aka Catwoman.
While Bruce has been away, Selina has been secretly training the “henchmen” or lower-level criminals of Gotham certain burglary skills with a code. The targets are only the rich. Batman doesn’t agree with the “Robin hood” method but Selina isn’t backing down from her stance. Due to their complex history and current relationship status, lines are being drawn about if this is right or wrong.
However, one pupil named Roland Garner get murdered in an attempted robbery which makes Batman declare this movement is officially over. Making matters even worse is Batman’s back-up personality, Zur-En-Arrh, has been unlocked with him so broken over recent events. This does not bode well for all parties involved as War is coming to Gotham with no good outcome to follow.
This chapter begins with a couple of Catwoman’s students honing their craft in a luxury apartment complex. As they begin their work, Batman is waiting inside for them. Citing Garner as a symbol for his actions, Batman easily disposes of the pair, saying “Nobody Dies Today”!
Readers quickly see how Batman (under the influence of Zur-En-Arrh) starts to attack Selina’s forces. The impact is felt immediately leaving Selina to retaliate in a manner that won’t sit well with Batman. All the while, the various members of the Bat Family are trying to make sense of this all.
Events start unfolding as the dangerous game of chess starts escalading even further. The action doesn’t slow down as Batman continues to try hanging onto his vision of Gotham, no matter who is in his way. Just when readers think they know what’s going on, the final page will be a shocking reveal as another major player has entered the game.
Batman #137 by Chip Zdarsky, Jorge Jiménez, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles (Credit: DC Comics - Cover: Joe Quesada)
Batman #137 by Chip Zdarsky, Jorge Jiménez, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles (Credit: DC Comics - Cover: Gabriele Dell'Otto)
Zdarsky continues to slowly feature the breaking of the Bat in this latest chapter. With Zur-En-Arrh pulling the strings, it adds another layer to Batman’s complex paranoia. The pacing sets up a solid build to the heart of the issue. The ally she has acquired sets up the issue’s standout moment. Considering their history, Selina plays off whatever Bruce throws in her direction with a heightened awareness of what’s needed to be done to win. It is no surprise at the personal angle she plays to get the upper hand. Its’ fallout plays into the lines divided but what a great surprise from the final page. It’s suffice to say this battle is far from over.
Jiménez unleashes Batman’s most feared personality with a distinct intensity. From the opening pages, the force of Batman’s unforgiving attacks make a big imprint with readers. It’s countered nicely by Selina’s reacting and responding plays. The action panels come with a great deal of high energy mirroring the frezny of Batman’s onslaught and warning on those standing in his way. Readers will be excited when other notable names make their marks in this issue. That said, none will be bigger than the shocking debut into this story featured on the full panel page to set up the next chapter nicely.
Batman #137 by Chip Zdarsky, Jorge Jiménez, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles (Credit: DC Comics - Cover: Salvador Larroca)
FINAL POINT: 8 OUT OF 10
The battle of Gotham rages on with an excellent second chapter. The pace is set early building the tension up to a great breaking point with the art and writing. The final page will have fans guessing as to where we head from here, but there’s no doubt this story is one to watch.
Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know your thoughts on Batman #137. Thanks for reading.
