ComicsReviews

Review – NEW 52 Batman: Issue #13 – Death of the Family

Story by: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV
Art by: Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion
Cover by: Greg Capullo, Aaron Kuder
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: Wed, October 10th, 2012

Interview by CraveOnline with In Depth Coverage of the Event

SPOILERS BELOW

Upon the arrival of this review copy provided by our friends over at DC Comics, I was stoked. The epic build up of this comic has been seeded from the very first issue of the NEW 52 relaunch. What makes this even more ironic for me is that my favorite Bat-Villian is The Joker. I think DC felt some the best time for his return would be a year after the NEW 52 launched, the 13th issue and October just in time for Halloween. All that being said I love this comic!

Initial thoughts from this cover alone had me wanting to read this. It looked down right creepy. We start out with Commissioner Gordon at the GCPD when strange things are happening. Instantly the power goes out and the Joker’s eery jokes and laughter is heard throughout the station. Cops are dropping like flies until only Gordon followed by Batman remain.

The two discover that Joker has left a calling “card” for Batman giving him a clue as to what is going down. Not to mention the Joker has stolen his cut off face back from the GCPD. I find it first creepy that the Joker had his face cut off by the Dollmaker and now regains it.

On to Bruce brooding in the Cave and having his various past and current partners being informed that “He” is back. I loved the worry and thought going around this part of the comic.

Finally Batman goes to the ACE chemical plant where Red Hood became The Joker. Only here they trap Batman in an empty soon to be filling up vat. We discover an interesting twist of Joker’s whole plan being set in motion. And by the end there is a scene between Harley and Joker.

Overall I have to say besides this comic being creepy, disturbing and downright scary, this is a MUST read. If you loved “Court of Owls” or even if you didn’t this is a MUST. In addition the Joker that Snyder re-invented for this NEW 52 rendition has left me wanting more. Especially with the cunning, disturbing and just plain scary rendition of our Clown Prince of Crime. This issue had some great pacing, art and twisted style.

I would give this nice kickoff story a 5 out of 5.

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Steve "Megatron"

Co-Creator @GeekCastRadio | Creator @AlteredGeek | Voice Actor | Podcaster, Husband | Father | Web/Graphic Design | A/V Editor | Geek of Games, Tech, Film, TV.

4 Comments

  1. Just read it. The………..the……………. last two pages, I can NEVER unsee that EVER again. Oh My God.

    We all know that the Joker is a murdering psychopath, but in most mediums of TV and animation it’s kinda glossed over a bit.

    This event….will change the perception of any non comic reader of The Joker forever.

    It was sooo epic, I’m definitely gonna be getting Batman 14-17 to see how this unfolds.

    1. Batman 13 yeah, it’s too late. Most stores have sold out, and nothing has been restocked. I got my copy on Amazon. That’d be your best bet.

    2. I know it’s sold out everywhere. I think you can get it online or by calling around but I doubt anyone is giving this one up. I am trying to find it for a guy at work and even the day it came out I never saw it. Glad DC sent it to me.

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