Batman Eternal #48

By Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Kyle Higgins, Ray Fawkes, Tim Seeley, Fernando Blanco, Marcelo Maiolo

“So much power in this cave…so much I can control…and so many birds…”

Hush has control of the Batcave in this week’s issue of Batman Eternal. Which just in case you were wondering…isn’t a good thing for Gotham City, or the Bat-family.

Scripting this week from the story by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV is Kyle Higgins with consulting from Ray Fawkes and Tim Seeley. This week we’re shown some action between the various members of the Bat-family and the newly energized villains of Gotham City, but one of the biggest highlights of the issue comes via Batman’s short appearance — he really needed a new jet. Higgins blends the action into some subtle comedy this week and pulls off a great issue.

On the artwork side this week is artist Fernando Blanco accompanied by colorist Marcelo Maiolo. A lot of tight panels take up this issue, especially during the fight scenes between the likes of Batgirl, Batwing, Bluebird, Red Robin, and Red Hood up against villains such as Joker’s Daughter, Mr. Freeze, Scarecrow, Clayface, and Bane. Speaking of these encounters there is a great two-page spread showcasing all of them going up against their dance partners, but Hush’s hands on the controls in the Batcave give the villains the edge they need. Blanco’s panels are filled to the brim with punches and explosions while Maiolo pulls each one from the page with his color work. A great panel focuses in on Clayface as Red Robin falls to the ground, he knows someone is pulling the strings, but does he know who? Another honorable mention for a great scene comes via Red Hood’s incoming demise as a super-powered Mecha-Bane looms behind him (Mecha-Bane sounds pretty cool right?). The close quarters of their match places the setting for a devastating final round.

This week leaves a lot of the Bat-family in tight spots, including Jim Gordon. But has someone finally realized his mistakes and willing to help him?