Batman: Gotham Knights #18 Reviews (Spoilers)

[James Harvey]

Batman faces his greatest foe ever…an empty house, and the looming specter of boredom.

This is one of the best single-issue Batman stories that we’ve seen. Ever.

That having been said, let me say this: We got a double-splash page of action, and that’s it. So if you have trouble with comics that are not filled with ass-clenching suspense, excitement or explosions, well, you may be disappointed. But if you are, well, buy it anyway. You’ll appreciate it later.

Despite the fact that he has the largest supporting cast he’s ever had (Robin, Nightwing, Alfred, the Spoiler, Azrael, the Huntress, Oracle, Batgirl), Batman has been running solo a lot lately. This title is probably the only place we’ve seen Batman team up with the Bat-posse, or see inter-posse interaction. That’s been one of my biggest gripes about the books in the past year or so, and finally, we get some addressing of that.

With Robin and Alfred royally pissed at him, the Spoiler only seen over in “Robin,” Batgirl and Azrael in their own books, and the Huntress MIA since “Cry for Blood,” Batman pretty much just has Nightwing to pal around with. However, the Mid-Twenties Wonder has been getting some good Oracle lovin’ as of late (about freakin time, if you ask me) so while he’s in Gotham more, he’s usually, ah, indisposed. For the title that serves as the touchstone for Batman’s surrogate family, this can be problematic. However, Batman still has plenty of friends to talk to. Like the Bats. And, if things get really desperate, Aquaman.

Ever since Batman started appearing regularly in JLA, I’ve noticed a certain absence of attention paid to that in the Bat-titles that can’t help but leave me wondering if the Bat-honchos were not pleased about him being in the League. Now, that the core JLA members (Supes, GL, Flash, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter and Plastic Man) are aware of his secret ID, we finally get a little glimpse into Batman’s JLA interactions.

Batman receives a call from Aquaman, who says he just heard about Gordon (I’m assuming he’s referring to Jim’s retirement after “Officer Down”) and wants to see if he’s doing okay. You also can’t help but sense a little amusement on Aquaman’s part as he calls him “Bruce.” A nice touch, seeing as how he was also one of the ones who voted Batman out of the League. After an uneventful night in Gotham (there must have been a Blue Moon), Batman returns home, and we get a wonderful walking tour of Wayne Manor, courtesy of Robinson’s wonderful pencils. The large panels and Floyd’s heavy inks really give the whole place a cavernous look. It was also interesting to see Batman walking around the manor in full costume, something that really used to piss Alfred off. Seeing Batman open his fridge, look in it, and then close it without eating or taking anything (something I do about 15 times an evening) amused me greatly. Finally, under the pretense of retrieving some of his things from a deep sea trench in the Batcave, Batman gives Aquaman a call back and asks him to help.

Grayson’s Batman excels when he’s trying to do everyday things, like interact with humans and show emotion because she seems to get that, when he’s not kicking major ass, Batman is a thoroughly ****ed-up human being. His crippling inability to relate to others and communicate in a non-threatening way makes him one of the most human superheroes there is, and that makes me very happy.

This title runs neck and neck for best monthly Bat-title, and if you aren’t getting it, you’re really doing yourself a disservice. I mean, this month we get a glimpse of the giant Penny again. I miss that thing, and the Dinosaur, too. (thanx http://www.popcultureshock.com)

Comments?

[Flying Grayson]

Where did he get the Giant penny anyway.

[James Harvey]

It was washed away during the quake a few years back.

[Beyond Batman]

I think what "Flying Grayson" was asking was, "Where did the giant penny come from?" It's origin. I don't even know where it came from. If you could answer that quesion that would be awesome.

Anyhow, Batman Gotham Knights 18 was an excellent issue. It didn't seem like your usual comic. Crime fighting seemed to be set aside in this issue, focusing on Batman's "off-peak" hours. I really enjoyed this issue. I would rate this the same way Dick Grayson did... a very top choice to say the least. This issue made me realize something. Even though Batman kicks butt and is an awesome crime fighter, just watching him go about a regular day seemed so intriguing. It funny how he roamed the manor, with nothing better to do. It seemed like something I would do on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Now that I think about it, I can't recal Bruce ever walking around the manor in full costume the way he did in GK. That seemed so cool.

I don't read JLA, I'd like to, but I collect enough titles as it is, but I didn't know they all knew Batman's identity. That seemed a bit strange to me. If you don't mind me asking, when was his ID revield to the JLA? Or has it always been revealed.

[Eldermount]

Originally posted by Flying Grayson
Where did he get the Giant penny anyway.

I don't know the specifics, but I know the Penny has been in the background of the batcave for many years. Earliest recollections were from the early 80's, but it probably goes back much further than that. I'm guessing from the 50's or 60's. Anyhow, Batman has always referred to it in connection to what he calls "The Bad Penny" case. It had something to do with the Joker. Beyond that, I don't know much about it.

[Flying Grayson]

Well I remember it keeping the krytonite ring safe from an issue of superman, does anyone remember that besides me. THe thing just rolled ontop of an opening that housed a cylender that held the ring.

[James Harvey]

In animated continuty, the Penny came from a bank hiest by Two-Face that Batman stopped. He got it as a reward (see: ALMOST GOT 'IM). As for the comic, it's been there since the last 40s/early 50s. BATMAN CHRONICLES was supposed to cover the story, but the series got cancelled. They did cover how he got the Dino.