Comic Review: Batman #22 (DC Comics)

Holy Toledo Batman! It’s the third chapter of The Button arc and this time Flash Writer Joshua Williamson hops on board with Tom King on the Batman title in this crossover.

The search for the death of Reverse Flash and the origin of The Button has lead Batman and The Flash to The Flashpoint Universe. While there, Batman finally comes face to face with his father of the Flashpoint universe. Reunions seem to be abound, but with the Cosmic Treadmill damaged, and an army of Atlantean/Amazonian Warriors heading to their location to kill Thomas Wayne, The Trio are gonna have to survive this onslaught before they can find answers.  How is The Flashpoint Universe still in existence? Who is holding that universe together since it’s destruction?

Tom King wrote the first chapter in Batman #21, Joshua Williamson wrote the second chapter in The Flash #21, and now both writers team up to collaborate in writing this issue together!

This issue was a fantastic issue that really builds off of the momentum of the previous chapter (Flash #21) but has the same energy as the first chapter (Batman #21). The story is tight, fueled with an emotional impact and simultaneously engaging as an overarching story that has a critical impact on the test of the DC Universe. It’s definitely a cool payoff so far if readers have been keeping up with stories such as Flashpoint, and DC Rebirth which influenced the current state of the DC Universe.

   The Dialogue is handled with care, truly cementing the kind of behavior that reflects the perspectives and emotions that is suited to each respective character. Bruce’s reaction to his father is definitely gonna be one for the books, and will most likely be associated with those “Comic Facts” or “Did you know” memes. But it’s truly an emotional moment seeing Bruce and Thomas Wayne, Father and Son, finally interacts with each other despite the different universes and circumstances. It’s a benchmark moment that fans will definitely talk about for years to come. The mystery of the omniscient force that is pulling the strings is well handled. Both Williamson and King make great efforts to weave an intricate plot that may have a solid payoff by the end of this arc. So far, It’s been a promising ride in regards to this story arc, and every chapter thus far has been nothing short of amazing and most definitely iconic.

Speaking of iconic, Jason Fabok’s art truly cements and personifies what kind of imagery that makes the narrative and scenes memorable. Each panel and page, each interaction between Bruce and Thomas, the suspense of The Flash trying to repair the Cosmic Treadmill while impending doom is upon them is perfectly illustrated. The artwork is handled with delicacy and makes the story shine so much more than it already is. Fabok’s pencils and inks are just solid through and through. It’s great to see how much Fabok has improved as an illustrator from Batman: Eternal, and Justice League Darkseid War, he just gets better and better. Brad Anderson’s color work highlights Fabok’s pencils, elevating the material aesthetically.

Overall, this is another surprisingly solid entry to the current story arc thus far. It delivers in the suspense, actions, and character moments, without sacrificing the mystery/detective element. If you haven’t been reading or catching up with the current situations of the DC Universe as a whole, now is a perfect time to jump on to get caught up in one of the biggest stories that is happening in comics currently. It’s fantastic stuff, highly recommended. There is something for old and new DC Comics fans that they’ll enjoy.