REVIEW: Batman #1

The DCnU relaunch still has a week's worth of books left, but I'm going to go ahead and call it - Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman #1 is by far the greatest issue of the New 52, and one of the best comics I've ever read.

Scott Snyder had an AMAZING run on Detective Comics before the DC relaunch, and this issue of Batman is more of the same. After writing Dick Grayson Batman so well, I was honestly a little skeptical if he'd get the Bruce Wayne Batman down, but Snyder doesn't disappoint. He just knows Batman, and Snyder somehow nailed every aspect of the character in ONE ISSUE, and even managed to keep the story current and not alienate new readers.

Seriously, this single issue has it all - Batman takes on Arkham Asylum, does his Bruce Wayne rich-boy spiel, plays detective with Commissioner Gordon (and Harvey Bullock), and sneaks in a new gadget or two. We even get to see Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, and Damian Wayne all in the same room. Wow!

As far as the art of the book, it's amazingly done as well. Greg Capullo's work is beautiful, and I love his take on Batman's new costume. (Sorry, Jim Lee!) Capullo put a lot of effort and attention to details - everything from the Riddler's question-mark shaped mohawk to Damian's red sneakers is just wonderfully done. Although nothing has changed story-wise in the Batman books post-relaunch, all the characters are clearly younger. Bruce is more baby-faced, Dick Grayson is noticeable shorter than Bruce, and Commissioner Gordon's hair is red once again. Capullo's modern redesigns for Batman's rogues gallery is also worth nothing.

There isn't really more that I can say here without spoiling the book. The ending will leave you stupefied, and I can honestly admit that my jaw dropped after the last page. If you're even just the least bit interested in comic books or a casual Batman fan, I strongly urge you to pick this one up.

THE GOOD: EVERYTHING. Snyder just knows Bruce/Batman, and there isn't anything he missed here, from the public persona of Bruce Wayne, the new gadgetry, the detective work, to the Arkham Asylum villains. I especially loved the way he reintroduced us to Dick, Tim, and Damian.

THE BAD: If I really have to complain about anything, I don't like the book's new logo.

THE ART: Simply awesome. Greg Capullo draws an awesome Batman, and I love his take on the new militaristic-styled costume. This is Capullo's FIRST work on any Bat-book, but it's so well done you'd think he was drawing these characters for years.

FINAL VERDICT: A++

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Images appear courtesy of DC Comics