I fast-tracked "The Price" on my review schedule after reading the first installment and thoroughly enjoying it. I also picked up a new favorite writer along the way in Joshua Williamson. I'd only reviewed one issue of Flash prior to this arc so I don't have any deep knowledge of anything happening in that title.

This time around we get a decent issue and closeout chapter. The Price of Loyalty isn't quite as strong as previous installments but closes the loop on the event and ties back to Heroes in Crisis even though it really doesn't feel like a tie-in other than references to "Sanctuary" here and there.

The bulk of the comic covers the rapidly escalating fight between Batman, Flash, and Gotham Girl. Batman and Flash desperately attempt to talk Gotham Girl down before she burns herself out and dies due to overuse of her powers.

This is a pretty rough scenario but about midway, through the issue, the fight just ends. The story transitions to a very intense argument between Bruce and Barry which boils down to an ideological debate regarding the accountability they share toward their families and the heroes that fight in their names.

Both characters have a seemingly ever-expanding extended family so it makes sense that these particular characters would be having this discussion. They both make valid points along the way to the conclusion of the issue. The problem is that the voices the characters have in this segment feel hollow.

Bruce and Barry have both suffered extreme losses. The price is that wearing the tights or the cowl doesn't shield those around you its something you'd think this would be an aspect of their lives that would lead to common ground. The problem here is that they basically end up yelling at each other and go to their corners. It's a huge letdown that undermines the overarching theme of the crossover. I can't criticize the issue too harshly though It handles its story a lot better than Heroes in Crisis ever did.

Aside from the nick picks here and there the series looks great, reads well, and aside from an ending that doesn't quite land the story advances the ongoing stories for both heroes that's worth checking out even if you aren't following either hero currently.


Rating 8.5/10