Batman #8 is my all-time favorite issue of the series. Scott Snyder’s run has been impeccable but this is where things really get messed up; really messed up….
The issue begins by Bruce reflecting on how he believed the best way to know a city. He then continues by saying he knows nothing really at all. Bruce and Alfred prepare for the talons who are about to come. Bruce tells Alfred to shit off the light. Bruce continues saying he has been a fool to think he knew the city he grew up in as he sits before a virtual Gotham City, and eventually looks out the window at the real one. As father and son hear the talons come, they run down to the Batcave to prepare for the onslaught each knows is coming. As Bruce begins to run, he is attacked by the first talon that he begins to fight. However, more come, and he tries to fend them off. Alfred, who is already in the cave and about to offer his services, sees a talon coming down the steps, and knows he will need to defend himself. Bruce makes his way out to the roof as he continues to fight them off. However, he makes his way through a loophole in the roof down to the cave. As Bruce gets down there, he realizes there is a talon there, and wonders where Alfred is. Luckily, Alfred drops the giant Two-Face penny on the talon, and all is well. As Bruce confronts the talon, the talon’s face is revealed. Bruce takes off something on his arm keeping him animated. Others make their way down, and the father and son make their way into the Bat Bunker. Bruce tells Alfred to turn the temperature to zero because the regenerative compound in the talon’s blood is heat-sensitive. That way, Bruce can silence them easily. Alfred reminds Bruce he won’t last long in the bunker. Bruce responds not to worry. Bruce, then, comes out in something many Bat-fans will enjoy……
The backup that begins in this issue details Bruce’s fight with the talons in what he comes out in. Alfred also discovers on the microchip discovered from one of the talons Bruce fought. It is actually a list of names the talons are going after. They are all of the influential people in Gotham City including Commissioner Gordon and Mayor Hady. Bruce commands Alfred to put the call out for help to the entire Bat-family alerting them of the crisis and that he will leave the line to the Bat bunker open as long as he can.
Scott Snyder hit every beat in this issue. From suspense to action to great character moments, Mr. Snyder is indeed now rivaling Grant Morrison for the best modern day Batman writer. Not to mention artist Greg Capullo who kills this issue with great panels and great art in general being reminiscent of David Mazzuchelli from Batman: Year One. He almost rivals him here too quite literally. In the backup, Rafael Albuquerque does some fantastic work with detailing the ramifications of this issue on the Bat-universe, and makes me excited even more for his future prospects. Seeing all of this, there is no reason anyone should not be picking up this comic if they are a fan of Batman…..
