All-Star Batman #5 preview

[SicariiDC]

I'm psyched for this. It's been a while since the last issue (well, over a month) so I'm ready as I'll ever be.

I lean more on the side of writing over art, but I've learned to appreciate it more and more and enjoy different styles. JrJr is ok, I don't particularly love his style but he's done some stuff I like (Enemy of the State, X-men) but he would never be my preferred artist on a project.

[adrikito]

INTERVIEW:

http://www.newsarama.com/32512-big-u...-batman-5.html

[K. Jones]

Worst Enemy might be my favorite Snyder arc of all time, actually. A lot of it has to do with the weirdness - there's almost a lot more like, Batman '66 here. Or even campier Golden Age sensibilities. The old time riverboat casino just screams like, Bill Finger and Dick Sprang doing a Two-Face caper. But then Romita doing the art and having it be basically Snyder's first "Villain Gauntlet" storyline makes it so big and offbeat. There's just something about it, and I'm sure a big part is Romita's Kirbyesque art, but there's some other stuff, too - the pace, and tone, and a few other elements - that really reminds me of Kirby's Mister Miracle run. I guess Batman's plethora of really out-there gadgetry is a factor, plus that he keeps escaping like an escape artist from all these '66 cliffhanger deathtrap chapter endings.

I've been thinking a little about its placement in the totality of Snyder's run - where he started with DickBats, went all Victorian Gothic with Owls, cheesy 80s horror satire with DOTF, on and on, to now. And thinking about his previous very short usage of Two-Face, too, and how this follows up on that Two-Face appearance (ostensibly) and follows up a lot on Penguin's new status quo, Mask, Shark, and Duke's post-Endgame stuff.

This ranks pretty high for me. Like, above Black Mirror high.

[Rakzo]

Thought this was a pretty appropriate conclusion. This is the perfect book for Snyder, one where he can exploit his cinematic skill while developing deep enough themes to make it more than just a dumb action movie. The way how the Two-Face issue is solved makes a lot of sense while also delivering strong character moments from him Batman and even Gordon (Once again, I think Snyder does write a pretty good Gordon).

JRJR's art was a bit rough at times but he still knows how to tell a story in terms of action and character. Best book starring Batman without a doubt.

[Frontier]

Well, Batman beat Two-Face (and Harvey) in the end, by basically keeping the status quo in check and telling them that if they want to solve their issues, they have to do it themselves. Which I guess feels right to say after this entire arc. People have equal amounts good and bad, and it's up to them to fight against their impulses or let them win, and Batman can't solve that problem for us. He can only show what we can be if we fight back against the darker parts of who we are.

I guess in a way this was a Two-Face Rebirth of sorts since in the end Harvey and Two-Face are back to vying for control and Batman's taking him back to Arkham. I guess the only thing that's changed is that we've seen just how far Harvey is willing to go to tip the coin in his favor, something you would expect from his other half.

I guess KGBeast falling off a cliff, with no body to be found, is as fitting a way to conclude his role in this arc as any.

Duke continues to be a solid Robin, because that's still basically what he is .

I actually kinda wish Roxy had shown up in this arc...she would've been fun to see.

I just love how Batman comes in at the end just to troll Penguin and the gang. See, Batman can have fun too .

Hopefully the next issue is a proper Rebirth for Mr. Freeze and not more Snyder New 52 Freeze.

[PSJ]

i am enjoying all star a lot more then king's Batman run, only thing i dislike is that all-star comes out once a month

[Atlanta96]

A solid but flawed conclusion to a solid but flawed arc. It just needs a Phantom Edit

[ZuLuLu]

Solid ending by Snyder.

The thing I have liked about ASB so far is that Snyder does not seem to be taking himself as seriously as he did when he was writing the main book but he seems to be having more fun. I say this as someone who enjoyed him on the main Batman book.

The end with Batman just messing with Penguin and associates was a nice touch, I genuinely LOL at that moment.

[SpideyZERO]

Strong finish to the arc I wasn't really expecting any big changes to Harvey so now both him and Two Face needs to constantly fight for control is fine by me. The whole thing ties up with this arc's theme well, being everyone has goods and bads and they will have to fight through these bad impulses everyday to be the best of them. I really like that and how Batman really believes that. I really like how he trolled Penguin and the gang at the end too

I enjoy JrJr's art, but the multiple inkers hurt it this issue, especially the key moment in the rain

The only thing I don't really like is Alfred's role in all this. I wonder if it will get any follow up

[SicariiDC]

Idk, I wasn't too crazy about this arc. I just didn't get it. Why didn't two face just take the cure himself if they both wanted it. And why the long journey? (Aside from a plot device)

Maybe the monthly schedule just got lost in my brain with reading so much other stuff dropping quicker.

I'm gonna read the whole thing again but I felt kinda confused about a few things.

Agree with folks on the humor, the zany stuff and it's a welcome touch.

[SpideyZERO]

Idk, I wasn't too crazy about this arc. I just didn't get it. Why didn't two face just take the cure himself if they both wanted it. And why the long journey? (Aside from a ploy device)

Two-Face thought that Harvey really cooked up something that would cure Harvey of his split personality (meaning erasing Two-Face persona) so he made the journey extra difficult for Batman. It's not until they reach the destination that they found out it's actually something that would (probably) erase Harvey instead and at that moment both Two-face and Harvey wanted the cure

[Frontier]

The only thing I don't really like is Alfred's role in all this. I wonder if it will get any follow up

It's like Alfred's main role in Snyder's stories at this point is just to undermine or screw-up things for Batman .

[Atlanta96]

It's like Alfred's main role in Snyder's stories at this point is just to undermine or screw-up things for Batman .

Yeah, should we add Alfred to the list of characters Snyder hates?

[SicariiDC]

Two-Face thought that Harvey really cooked up something that would cure Harvey of his split personality (meaning erasing Two-Face persona) so he made the journey extra difficult for Batman. It's not until they reach the destination that they found out it's actually something that would (probably) erase Harvey instead and at that moment both Two-face and Harvey wanted the cure

Ok. Cool. I've been thinking more about it, and maybe it's the monthly release that messed up the flow for me. I'm a huge Snyder fan so I'm gonna re-read this with fresh eyes, and I think it will work better as a trade for people like me

[SicariiDC]

It's like Alfred's main role in Snyder's stories at this point is just to undermine or screw-up things for Batman .

Is that so crazy tho? I thought Alfred was a little sniveling in this but he did what he did for Bruce.

And I loved how he called him "my son"