Like the subtitling hints, this book did a great job setting up the chessboard and moving the parts into the proper places. As part of what seems to be a slow burn story, it successfully does its job. As for the art, Maleev does a great job brining a time to the book that only he can.

No. Just no.

I had hoped that King's successor would build on the good stuff that King did. And to be fair, for all my criticisms of King, I must acknowledge he did some good things - especially his relationship with Catwoman.

But that's where this issue really falls apart. It turns out that Catwoman, Riddler and Penguin were part of some cabal with a secret agenda. (Apparently they killed and buried the Joker, a Joker?)

And the Penguin also bribed guards, builders and that's why he was able to get the assassins out of jail so quickly. You'd think that Batman might anticipate a move like that in a city where corruption is a real thing. You know be on the lookout for bribes and such.

Riddler mocks Selina about her not telling Batman about her evil deeds and Lucius has some sort of holographic tech that can turn any car into some sort of "Batmobile" at least from the outside. (No armor, and I think we can all agree that a bullet proof capability is important for the cars of Batman and James Bond).

Also, Penguin tries to bribe the assassins he hired to leave Gotham but Deathstroke, when confronted by Batman, slits Penguin's throat and says that Batman can capture the paid killers who will kill again if they get away or he can save Penguin's life - the life of a mobster who has killed and will kill again. He lets the killers who will kill again to save the life of a man who will kill again. (I can't put my finger on it, but it seems like that's not the right choice but that could be me.)

It seems that Penguin knows who the real villain of the piece is and that villain hates Bruce Wayne. and Wayne is the real target. Dun, Dun DUNN!!!

So what's my problem? Simple. Selina keeping a secret from Bruce. I suspect that her saying she conspired with others to kill the Joker, a Joker (?) would be something she'd want to mention. If she didn't trust Bruce to understand the reasons why she did what she did, then their common-law marriage is built on a lie. Also, if she told Bruce and he freaked out, then he really didn't understand who he was in a relationship with. Frankly, killing the Joker is the only sane thing to do. No matter how many times Batman captures the Joker and locks him up, it doesn't stick. The Joker gets out. Letting him live condemns untold hundreds, if not not thousands, to death. Selina keeping this secret is so 1960s comics trope-y that I can only sigh in disappointment. Keep up with the times fellas.

So Tynion is starting his run with a bad portrayal of a relationship I've enjoyed reading about. Also, you'd think that Selina might mention being part of a conspiracy that had Bruce Wayne as the target. She is, afterall, essentially Mrs. Bruce Wayne. She is now in the line of fire.

So this plot goes forward only because of the Roger Ebert Idiot Plot trope, which basically says that the story only happens because characters act in an idiotic fashion and not in a logical fashion. I mean it might have been a good story if Selina came clean about his conspiracy befire it went into action. We could see Bruce having to grow the hell up and deal with the messiness of other lives. Have him show growth and say something like we all have a past, but it's the future that matters and as long as you don't pin me in the middle of a conspiracy where people get killed, I think we can manage.

So early on the Tynion run, I am disappointed. I did like the art, but can't say I'm crazy about how the Penguin was drawn. Did like how Catwoman was drawn - attractive without being all male-gazy to the point where she looks like a stripper.

Or I could be wrong. more

Absolutely loved this book!! Deals with mental health in an incredible way and shows the vulnerability of its characters

Decent read but not for the price point it is set at.

Absolutely loved this issue. Tom King has a very unique voice and it is used to perfection in this book. Having read previous books of his, I can tell he is also setting up for the long game and this will hopefully just be one great chapter in an outstanding book