Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez are back with Batman #3, and while the stakes might feel familiar, the sheer style and kinetic energy make this issue an engaging read. Titled “Crown of Storms,” the issue is packed: we see Vandal Savage making a sinister move, Bruce Wayne trying (and failing) to connect, and The Riddler chasing after what could be Gotham’s most important new gadget.
The issue wastes no time, kicking off immediately with Vandal Savage, who isn’t bothering with subtlety anymore. He’s actively trying to frame Batman for the cop shooting from last issue by planting a batarang at the scene. Thankfully, a quick-thinking kid caught the villain in the act on video. It’s refreshing to see the antagonist just be the obvious bad guy; it cuts right to the chase and accelerates the main conflict.
Shifting focus, we also get a fascinating look at the mysterious ‘Crown of Storms’ device. This technology is being pushed by Dr. Zeller and funded by Wayne Enterprises, supposedly to regulate brain electricity. Of course, that sounds a lot like mind control, and Hugo Strange is already raising eyebrows about it on a wonderfully amusing talk show called ‘Gotham Gang.’ This is a plot thread that’s clearly going to explode soon, setting a major challenge for the Dark Knight.
The Riddler isn’t messing around either, becoming the action point for this new technology. He makes an audacious attempt to steal the ‘Crown of Storms’ from Wayne’s experimental science building. This scene gives us our first look at Batman’s new stealth suit: a striking black number featuring a bright yellowish-orange bat symbol, red eyes, and no cape. It looks fantastic. Unfortunately for the Riddler, who isn’t exactly a physical threat, he takes a pretty brutal, bloody beating—but honestly, I’m really just digging his new mad scientist-style goggles!
Beyond the main plot, a standout scene in Batman #3 is the intimate yet intense sparring match between Bruce Wayne and Damian Wayne. Turns out, the 14-year-old former assassin got into Gotham University four years early! Bruce’s internal thought process about Damian being scared of college while they’re literally beating each other up is hilarious. Jiménez absolutely nails this sequence. He guides you through the fight step by step, showing the flow of movements, blocks, and counters. And letterer Clayton Cowles adds great impact with some well-placed sound effects. (Though, seriously, Damian—attacking your dad’s jewels? Low blow!)
While the storyline itself leans a bit into familiar territory, the visual side of the comic is truly where it shines. Jiménez’s art is spectacular; it’s stylish, detailed, and makes Gotham an engaging spectacle.
However, the true underdog star is colorist Tomeu Morey. While Jiménez provides the incredible drawing, Morey makes it all come to life. Everything is so vibrant and colorful, making every character model, especially that new stealth suit, stand out like a highlighter. Even the new, more practical Bat-Signal (which Batman says is a sign of “everything old is new again” now that he’s out of the GCPD’s good graces) looks cute enough to buy as a collectible!
Overall, Batman #3 may not be a groundbreaking epic, but it delivers on character dynamics and boasts some of the most vibrant and engaging artwork on the stands right now. It’s a fun, stylish ride that sets up a lot of interesting threads for the next issue.
‘Batman’ #3 Review: Mind Control, Savage & a Bloody Riddler Beatdown
Batman #3 may not be a groundbreaking epic, but it delivers on character dynamics and boasts some of the most vibrant and engaging artwork on the stands right now. It’s a fun, stylish ride that sets up a lot of interesting threads for the next issue.
