Hot off the heels of a collaboration between Mayor Pamela Isley and Commissioner Vandal Savage, the Batfamily are scattered to the wind. In Batman #9 by Matt Fraction and Ryan Sook, we see Bruce and Co. trying desperately to salvage what they can from their many safe houses that are now under siege all while dealing with their fair share of personal drama.
With all of Gotham seemingly against him, Batman enlists the help of Barbara Gordon, Duke Thomas, Stephanie Brown, and Damian to recover what they can from their various safehouses before Vandal Savage and the GCPD raid it all. Damian is still upset from his most recent conflict with Bruce, but (in a sweet moment more reminiscent of Damian’s earlier years) the specter of Alfred convinces Bruce to meet him halfway.
As he’s assigning out responsibilities, he gives Damian the most crucial role. Meanwhile the other Batfamily members begin on their missions. It’s instant chaos with the GCPD right behind them at every corner. Babs does her best to coordinate from afar, and though she has enough to save her allies from the GCPD, she’s unable to save them from closing in on her location, arresting her. From her sacrifice, though, the others are able to complete their missions safely, including the destruction of the old Wayne Manor.
Title: Batman #9
Creatives: Matt Fraction (Writer), Ryan Sook (Artist), Tomeu Morey (Colorist)
Characters: Batman, Damian Wayne, Barbara Gordon, Duke Thomas, Stephanie Brown, Tim Drake
Villain: Mayor Pamela Isley, Commissioner Vandal Savage
Format: Ongoing Series
Our Rating: 7.5/10 Stars
Does Batman #9 Fix the Pacing Issues of the Matt Fraction Run?
Issue 9 is definitely a step above issue 8. It feels more like a continuation of some of the plot points that are hanging in the air. We see Tim clearly struggling with civilian life, we follow up on Bruce and Damian’s drama, and we get a solid escalation of what was set up just one issue prior. It feels like a rare moment in this run where an issue is more or less a direct continuation of the previous.
This issue also works as a good companion with the previous. Where issue 8 was a slow talking heads-type issue, this one features a lot more frenetic action. It helps establish the stakes and ground the series in a throughline that the series has been lacking.
Well and truly the biggest problem with this issue’s story is how much the tension was undercut by solicits. The tension promised on the cover with “one will fall” falls flat with the announcement of Barbara Gordon: Breakout. It’s hard to be fully invested in the main cliffhanger of the book when we know it won’t even really be addressed IN this book. Makes the issue feel more like a prelude to a different series rather than one it’s a part of.
Ryan Sook and Tomeu Morey: A Visual Departure from Jorge Jiménez
I do think the art from Ryan Sook gets a bit more room to shine this time around. While the rosey cheeks and noses still feel a bit off when not accompanied by Jorge Jiménez, Ryan Sook really gets to flex with the constant frenetic action. Whether it’s the scene of Wayne Manor exploding, or Barbra being brought out of a police cruiser it feels constantly cinematic and kinetic.
Similar to issue 8, though, the coloring from Tomeu Morey doesn’t really mesh well with Ryan Sook’s style, but it’s hard to knock it too hard when Morey has the unenviable task of being the visual connection between Sook and Jiménez’s style. Morey does good work, but just a circumstance of the industry, there’s always bound to be some degree of disconnect between main artist and fill-in.
Verdict: Should you buy Batman #9?
It’s hard to shake the feeling that Fraction’s run on Batman has been beginning to drag. The lack of consistent updates on the main throughlines of the book combined with the monthly format makes it so we often go multiple months before really following up on any single storyline. Issue #9 gives a welcome reprieve, simultaneously tying up a couple ongoing stories while raising the stakes, even if it is bogged down by premature solicits.
‘Batman’ #9 Review: Bruce Wayne and Damian Wayne Face the Fall of Gotham
It’s hard to shake the feeling that Fraction’s run on Batman has been beginning to drag. The lack of consistent updates on the main throughlines of the book combined with the monthly format makes it so we often go multiple months before really following up on any single storyline. Issue #9 gives a welcome reprieve, simultaneously tying up a couple ongoing stories while raising the stakes, even if it is bogged down by premature solicits.
