Batman #77 Review

Writer: Tom King

Artist: Mikel Janin

Rating: 7 out of 8

Batman #77

As a writer, Tom King has shown a lot of bravery. Writing Batman, he's shown the Dark Knight's strength; like when he faced Bane in Arkham Asylum, or almost certain death, to save both Gotham and a plane full of people. But he's also shown a more fragile side to the Crusader, like when he was trying to save that plane.

There, he asked Alfred ''Is this a good death?'', fearing he wouldn't die in a way that'd make his parents proud. One of the focal points of King's run has been Bruce's relationship with Selina Kyle. They've worked together, been together and many issues ago, they nearly got married.

Her decision to leave Bruce was perhaps more of a selfless one than you might think, fearing he couldn't be Batman without pain and that Gotham needed him. It's not a decision that I fully understand or agree with, but it's definitely an important one, which set the stage for the rest of King's run.

For a long time, Gotham's been under Bane's control, the one man to break Batman, in body and spirit. It's been a city ruled by villains, with anyone unwilling to work for Bane being captured by the super-powered Gotham Girl - and a strikingly different Batman. Heroes aren't allowed, with only one having entered so far and for that, they paid a really steep price.

That didn't deter the ever confident - some might say arrogant - Damian Wayne AKA Robin. Honestly, he's one of the best parts of the issue and King writes him really well. He's undeterred by Gotham Girl, despite her flight and super-strength and his confidence isn't unearned. 

His fight with his 'grandfather' is really thrilling and you really find yourself rooting for the Boy Wonder. It's a little later we get one of the bravest choices by King and also one of the most tragic moments of his run. It's handled brilliantly, in writing and art and I'm still shocked it actually happened. I applaud him for it.

Because of this, as well as where we leave Bruce and Damian, I'm really looking forward to the next issue and I'm excited to see where King takes us on the rest of his run on the Dark Knight. It's been one of the more divisive, but also one of the boldest. Well worth checking out.