SPOILERS for the issue below.
Since the launch of DC Rebirth, the main Batman series has proven to be consistently captivating. Batman has been around for such a long time, and has an incredibly storied lore. It is important for the new writers to keep the storylines fresh, but also not stray too far from the Batman mythos we know and love. Tom King has given us some fascinating storylines, including the recent “War of Jokes and Riddles”. He also brought us the plot featuring the Gotham Siblings, which was unique, but maybe not as well received.
I had high expectations for this year’s annual Batman comic. The basic plot of this issue is centered around the relationship between Batman and Catwoman. This relationship has already been at the forefront of several previous issues, but this one separates itself by revolving around their first date/meeting. The annual issue sprawls over an extended amount of time, encapsulating a period near the beginning of Bruce’s Batman career, all the way up to his death. It takes you through a range of emotions, one moment we see our main characters discussing why they hate themselves, and the next Batman is talking about using mouse droppings to locate Selina.
This issue also gave us a glimpse at the DC Rebirth future. Showing Selina talking to her daughter Helena on a rooftop, who is dressed in a red and black Batwoman outfit. Overall, the narrative we are presented with is that of a love story. A woman and a man captivated by each other at youth, and a look at the twilight of their relationship. I wouldn’t recommend this issue to anyone seeking out action sequences or a story of Batman fighting one of his rogues, it was however, a breath of fresh air.