The world of Gotham is usually synonymous with rain-slicked rooftops, brooding inner monologues, and the crushing weight of a never-ending war on crime. But in Batman #5, the creative team of Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez decides to take the Dark Knight out of the shadows and throw him into something far more terrifying: a dinner date that is going spectacularly wrong.
The Plot: A Date to Die For
The issue, aptly titled “Date Night,” finds Bruce Wayne attempting to balance his civic duties with a bit of social networking. He is out with Dr. Zeller, a brilliant scientist whose project Bruce is interested in funding. The setting is Harborview, and the vibe is immediately awkward. Bruce is dressed to the nines—or as he puts it, he’s just “dressed”—while Dr. Zeller is trying to figure out if this is a professional meal or a romantic pursuit.
Fraction’s dialogue is snappy and carries a dry, self-aware wit. Bruce’s billionaire persona is on full display as he brags about winning driving awards while weaving through traffic in a classic blue GTO. However, the evening takes a sharp turn toward the Batman side of things when Bruce notices they are being shadowed by a group of motorcycle-riding assassins with swords.
What follows is a high-octane chase through Little Tokyo. Bruce manages to fend off the attackers using his “award-winning” driving skills, eventually crashing the car to save the doctor. The two end up on foot, fleeing into an alleyway where they encounter a mysterious, bird-themed assassin who seems to be made of crows. Just when things look dire, Robin (Damian Wayne) arrives to neutralize the threat with a high-tech Batsnare, though he can’t resist a snarky comment about his father’s no-killing policy.
Identity and the Cost of Change
Beneath the screeching tires and sword-clashing, Fraction explores some surprisingly deep themes. During a quiet moment while Bruce is literally carrying Dr. Zeller up a fire escape ladder, they discuss why people are trying to kill her.
Bruce posits that her work is the trigger. He explains that violent and powerful people feel threatened by the idea that identity can be changed. It’s a meta-commentary on the Batman mythos itself, as Bruce Wayne is a man who radically changed his identity to combat fear, and here he is, defending a woman who offers that same possibility to others through science. The irony of Bruce discussing the fluidity of identity while wearing a “Bruce Wayne” mask over his Batman soul is not lost on the reader.
Art Analysis: Jiménez at His Best
Jorge Jiménez is arguably the best Batman artist working today, and issue #5 is a masterclass in kinetic energy. His character designs for Bruce and Dr. Zeller are stylish and expressive; you can feel the physical tension on the page during the ladder climb.
The action sequences are where the art truly shines. The transition from a sleek car chase to the chaotic, supernatural presence of the “Woman made of Birds” is handled with incredible fluidity. Tomeu Morey’s colors deserve a shout-out here as well; the palette shifts from the warm, orange hues of a Gotham sunset to the neon-drenched purples and blues of Little Tokyo, creating a distinct vibey atmosphere that feels modern and fresh.
Final Verdict
Batman #5 is a fantastic example of a breather issue that still manages to move the needle. It captures the charm of Bruce Wayne’s socialite life while reminding us that, for Batman, there is no such thing as a night off. The introduction of the mysterious crow-assassin and the awkward “Father?” reveal at the end ensures that readers will be back for issue #6.
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‘Batman’ #5 Review: Bruce Wayne’s Worst Date Ever
Batman #5 is a fantastic example of a breather issue that still manages to move the needle. It captures the charm of Bruce Wayne’s socialite life while reminding us that, for Batman, there is no such thing as a night off. The introduction of the mysterious crow-assassin and the awkward “Father?” reveal at the end ensures that readers will be back for issue #6.
