Batman: Battle For The Cowl #3 – Review

By Tony Daniel (writer and pencils), Sandu Florea (inks), Ian Hannin and JD Smith (colors)

The Story: As Gotham reals from the destructive attacks from the Black Mask, Nightwing assembles “The Network,” a band of Gotham heroes, to plot a response to the unprecedented terrorism that has been unleashed on the city. Afterwards, he confronts an unhinged Jason Todd who has attempted to claim the mantle of Batman, while Tim Drake, a.k.a Robin, struggles for his life.

What’s Good: Well, we finally find out who’s the new Batman (hold the exclamation point). Which is a good thing, if not solely for the fact that the series can attempt to move on into some stable arcs and stories. Agood thing to note is Tony Daniel’s art; which is typically effective in capturing the characters and feel of Gotham (although not as good at R.I.P, which helps the story plod along).

Some of the characters and their personalities are also well-done. Jason Todd’s insanity and motivations are pretty interesting and he makes for a strong character in this series. Also, the mystery of who the Black Mask is effective in enriching the overall structure of this mini-series.

What’s Not So Good: My biggest complaint of this issue, and this series, is that nothing, and I mean nothing, exceptional or unpredictable transpires. I was hoping, albeit naively, that Batman wouldn’t end up being who we all thought it would be. It is such an expected move, I wonder why it warrants a whole series (I mean besides DC being able to make dough).

I’m not sure if it was editorial restrictions or not, but Tony Daniel really stumbles in spinning this tale. Besides the overall story being lackluster, there are scenes that are borderline silly. For example, in one panel Nightwing is having a conversation with a scarecrow of sorts, wired with a speaker, constructed by Jason Todd out of Tim Drakes costume. Sounds like a trap, no? Well, not to Nightwing, who for some reason hugs the scarecrow and gets electrocuted. There was also the Bruce Wayne doing an Obi-Wan Kenobi impersonation in the middle of a fight to the death that struck me at particularly ridiculous.

The Conclusion: I wanted to like this book, really, I did. But it wasn’t meant to be. Seriously: is there anyone who is excited about Batman not being Bruce Wayne? Through the unnecessary and unresolved plight of Tim drake; the annoyingness of Damian; the shoddiness of the third-string European Batman club of heroes brought into the DCU; the overly dramatic and heavy handed inner-monolgues of Nightwing, and his journey of personal growth; you have a basically throw away comic in Batman: Battle For The Cowl #3.

Grade: D

-Rob G.