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A review by stewreads
Batman, Volume 7: Endgame by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV
4.0
I've been waiting for this one to come out ever since I read the fantastic third volume, Death of the Family. Scott Snyder's Joker is a force to reckon with, and let's be honest, I'd read this series even if Batman fought puppies.
I've seen a lot of love for this one, but surprisingly I've also seen a lot of hate. As far as I was concerned, this series is immortal, so I was concerned about the negative reviews. But I try to always keep an open mind anyway.
The true brilliance of this book is the art. Greg Capullo and co. have gradually evolved as the New 52 Batman has progressed, and Endgame might be their best work yet. I noticed that starting with the Zero Year storyline, these comics have featured some wildly colorful scenes amidst the usually dark and gray Gotham setting. In the linear notes for Volume 4, Snyder wrote to the illustrators that he wanted Zero Year to look unique, and almost sci-fi in contrast to other origin stories. Since then, the art has been even more phenomenal with each subsequent storyline, and it just keeps getting better. 5/5.
The main issue I have with this one is the same issue I had with the last one: there are too many things from other series that we are expected to know. I can't stress this enough. This volume opens up with Batman recovering from the Scarecrow's fear gas (must have missed that issue?). He interacts with Alfred's daughter (must have missed...that one too...) in some brand spanking new fortress that I've never seen before! I'm starting to think I didn't miss any issues, and that DC wants me to buy everything they put out! I absolutely hate this, but I was able to look past it and enjoy the story for what it was worth.
And it was worth a lot. I'm not going to complain about how convoluted it was, or the ending, or anything that others have complained about. My response to them is simple: it's a comic book! It's incredibly well-thought out and written, so what do you expect? Pynchon? Dostoevsky?
In conclusion, the success/failure of this storyline will largely depend on what comes next. But for now, this one was a lot of fun.
I've seen a lot of love for this one, but surprisingly I've also seen a lot of hate. As far as I was concerned, this series is immortal, so I was concerned about the negative reviews. But I try to always keep an open mind anyway.
The true brilliance of this book is the art. Greg Capullo and co. have gradually evolved as the New 52 Batman has progressed, and Endgame might be their best work yet. I noticed that starting with the Zero Year storyline, these comics have featured some wildly colorful scenes amidst the usually dark and gray Gotham setting. In the linear notes for Volume 4, Snyder wrote to the illustrators that he wanted Zero Year to look unique, and almost sci-fi in contrast to other origin stories. Since then, the art has been even more phenomenal with each subsequent storyline, and it just keeps getting better. 5/5.
The main issue I have with this one is the same issue I had with the last one: there are too many things from other series that we are expected to know. I can't stress this enough. This volume opens up with Batman recovering from the Scarecrow's fear gas (must have missed that issue?). He interacts with Alfred's daughter (must have missed...that one too...) in some brand spanking new fortress that I've never seen before! I'm starting to think I didn't miss any issues, and that DC wants me to buy everything they put out! I absolutely hate this, but I was able to look past it and enjoy the story for what it was worth.
And it was worth a lot. I'm not going to complain about how convoluted it was, or the ending, or anything that others have complained about. My response to them is simple: it's a comic book! It's incredibly well-thought out and written, so what do you expect? Pynchon? Dostoevsky?
In conclusion, the success/failure of this storyline will largely depend on what comes next. But for now, this one was a lot of fun.