Batman #626

[Daedelus]

Writer- Judd Winick
Penciller- Dustin Nguyen
Inker- Richard Friend

"As the Crow Flies" Part 1: Visions

The first part to Winick and Nguyen's follow up to Azerello and Riso's Broken City is step in the right direction. This is a much more straight forward Batman story than Broken City was, quickly setting up the Rouges, Penguin and Scarecrow, and the plot involves Penguin's henchmen messing up a mission to "scare" some mafia associates using Scarecrows "fear powder." Batman becomes involved after the henchmen for get to wet the chemical and thus over dose the recipiants. A couple of stumbles that include a Tim Drake Robin in drag (couldn't Batgirl have done that?) didn't stop the flow of story, so they were forgiven. I always apreciate when a writer includes Robin and miss the Dynamic Duo. It's a solid opening in terms of story, look forward to were it will go.

The art by Nguyen actually reminded me alot of Risso. Perhaps that was intentional. However, despite a couple of really cool panels, over all I felt the art was not as good as his usual stuff in WildCATs 3.0. I felt it really lacked the detail and was more stylistic than I expected. The final panel of page 14 were the male lab aid is hitting on Tim in disguise, in particular, just looks half done. I did enjoy this issue and the cover by Matt (man do I miss new Grendel...) Wagner was just iceing on the cake!

Grade- B+

[Sparker]

I liked just about everything about this issue--a terrific set-up issue. I didn't have a problem with indercover Robin and rather liked the banter between Alfred and him. I like that they were incorporated in the plot--that's been missing for a while on this title. Batman felt like Batman. The art was great, but I found the coloring to be a little muted, or not vibrant enough--something about it didn't work for me. But it was good, solid, fun and I agree with your grade: B+!

[Nebula]

For some reason im being reminded of Azzarello's run both in terms of writing and in art. Of course Winick uses his wit in the dialogue. I was a little let down by seeing penguin towards the end. After Hush, I needed a break from seeing him. But then, who's there?

The Scarecrow!
I love the character and now things should be interesting

I think The Bat has his hands full

Nice to Matt Wagner doing the painted covers ( will this guy ever do a grendel story again?)

Grade: B

[gman]

the new batman #626 IMO was not that much better than the 6 part drivel that preceded it. The cover was brutal. The Azzarello arc really caused me to think twice about continuing to read this book. And this Winick person has not inspired me to keep buyin.

grade: D :eek:

[Bricktop]

I felt this issue was a good back to basics direction for the book, and I'm glad to be able to finally read a good Batman story again.

I won't say much here, because the first few posts pretty much said everything I have to say... I give this book a <b>B+</b> the + is for simply being a breath of fresh air, after the rot that was the Broken City arc.

[superate]

I was mixed on this book. On the one hand, this is very much a set-up issue, so it has that excuse for coming off a little slow. We also got some good interaction between the main cast, and it was great to see Robin's undercover work. Winick's characters have a clear voice and Dustin's art is sharp and crisp.
But, in terms of a set-up issue, it was not that involving. The fight scenes lacked any sort of real drama. I also have to pick on the fact that DC went cheap on the coloring of the demons on the first couple of pages. Instead of making them all different shades of red, why not give us Wildstorm-style coloring? It's as annoying as coloring flames different shades of orange. There is nothing wrong with it, but with today's technology, it should look better.
Overall, this issue will probably read better when this run gets collected. That being said, I'm a huge Batman fan and can't wait for the next issue. Dustin's Scarecrow is awesome!

Grade: B-

[Piferelli]

Overall Grade: A

A most enjoyable issue to start a story.

The script is exactly what I have come to expect from Winick. I appreciate the dimension that Winick manages to give to his scripts; the overall story is always front and center-easy to read, yet just the right amount of detail, while intermixing character quirks and interaction. Winick even managed to influence me to go back and re-read the first story that started Gotham Knights (if you haven't read it-get it), which seemed to have the same type of feel to it. I particularly liked the opening sequence involving Batman analyzing the situation, calling out in his head each blow that he inflicts, and then ultimately knowing that he's NOT going to catch Tommy A with his cable before he does a header out of the skyrise window. An excellent combination of both internal and external storytelling that has me intrigued to see what is coming around the corner.

The story contained in this issue, however, may not have played out in such a dynamic sense, had it not been for Hyugen's wonderful depictions of action and movement on each and every page. Nyugen manages to accomplish a constant transition of events that won't allow you to stop turning pages until you reach the end. The balance in panels, and overall flow of the action kept me moving throughout the entire issue. Toward the end of #626, there is an action-laced sequence involving a confrontation between Batman and a fear-induced Ruben. The thug is hit with a number of objects including an electrified net, a moving civilian car, an experimental fast-hardening foam, and finally, the Batmobile itself. As the sequence plays out, your eye easily translates the action inside the mind; each panel portraying "action/reaction" moments time and again. Truly, Nyugen's art is a fitting companion to the story-a wonderful, sustainable flow of image and page.

[gwann1]

Nice review, Daedalus. I also felt this was a promising start to this arc and hooked me in more than Broken City did. I've heard criticism aimed at Winick for not much happening in this first part, but I think it set the situation up nicely and am eagerly awaiting the next part now.
Also thought Nguyen's pencils were cool and that the first panel where we see Batman and the last page with Penguin and Scarecrow were awesome. Hope this good start continues. B+

[Michael Eidson]

Wow. Did NOBODY like Broken City? ('Cuz I did.)

I've been missing Nguyen's art on Wildcats (and now we'll never get to see it again... sniff) so it was cool seeing him take a swing at Batman, his supporting cast and villians. Winick hasn't hooked me yet but I think it's building to something grand. A humble beginning, but I'm pumped for more. B

[drdash]

great issue! and a more traditional batman story. this has one of my favorite villains in it, the scarecrow and i think the best part of the issue was the interaction between crane and cobblepott. winick is doing what he does best here breathing new life into sterotyped villains, i cannot wait for the rest of this story. and dustin's art is awesome i love his batman, with the 5 o'clock shadow.
A

ciao
drdash

[punkmonkey]

Great review, Piferelli! I agree with you wholeheartedly about Nguyen's art -- wait 'till you see his "new, improved" Scarecrow in issue 627!
I'll miss the guy's work on WILDCATS 3.0, but hopefully he'll snag a plumb assignment soon after his Batman arc wraps.

[gOgIver]

After reading some comments by Winick elsewhere, I fully expected nothing to happen in this issue. But things did happen! Not a bad issue at all.:)

[arvydas]

Question for those who have read this arc (As the Crow Flies):

Does this storyline have anything to do with the current Red Hood saga?

[JT Skywalker]

Originally posted by arvydas
Question for those who have read this arc (As the Crow Flies):

Does this storyline have anything to do with the current Red Hood saga?

Very briefly. Very vaguely.

~JTS