Batman No. 66 review: Questions answered

Batman No. 66 returns to the “Knightmares” storyline, where we continue to see Bruce struggle with drug induced dreams that bring about some of his deepest and darkest fears. Now, Bruce conjures up The Question to help him try to cope with what has been ailing Batman the most since he was left at the altar by Catwoman.

Batman No. 66: “Knightmares, Part 4”

Writer: Tom King

Artist: Jorge Fornes

March 6, 2019

After three issues of meandering, psyche-exploring plot filler, we finally get the ball rolling in what was a return to form for writer Tom King in Batman No. 66. King, as usual, does an amazing job at deconstructing characters, stripping them to their to their bare bones, and analyzing what makes them tick. In“Knightmares, Part 4,” we get a lot of that, as King deciphers what makes Batman do the thing he does, through the eyes of Bruce’s love and former fiancee, Catwoman. Or at least we think so, since it is made obvious from The Question that this interrogation is still part of Bruce’s nightmare.

Quick sidenote, I couldn’t continue reviewing this comic book and forget to mention how awesome it is that the Question makes an appearance in this issue. The Steve Ditko creation, is severely underrated and underused, and it’s incredible that we get to see him, even if just for an issue, in DC’s most popular book. King’s continuous use of rarely used or often forgotten characters (see Kite Man) has been one of the best parts of his Batman run, so far. It will be fun to see who he uses next.

Credit to DC Comics and artist Jorge Fornes

But there is a reason why King uses Vic Sage. The Question, only behind Batman, is probably the best detective in the DC universe. If Batman is feeling lost and confused, who better to try to help him, even if it’s just in his own mind, to try to explore and fix Bruce’s biggest reason for his anxiety and depression than Question. That is what Bruce’s mind is constructing as his best way to get out of whatever spell, physically and mentally, he’s in.

What Bruce is going through right now, is reminiscent of what King did with Scott Free in his Mister Miracle miniseries. They both seemed to be trapped inside of their mind (and perhaps something more), and they are creating these fictitious worlds and relationships, to try to make sense of the world at large.

Credit to DC Comics and artist Jorge Fornes

Credit to DC Comics and artist Jorge Fornes

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“Question’s conversation” with Selena is something that not only Bruce needed (even if it’s just in his drug altered mind), but something that us as readers needed, to know that this is going somewhere and we’re just not running in place. Perhaps the most interesting thread that was introduced in Batman No. 66 was Catwoman leaving a hint that the real reason she left Bruce at the altar might not entirely be what she spend 31 pages telling Question.

The art in this book is spectacular. Jorge Fornes gives this issue a classic, noir feel that transports us to the place and time where Batman and Catwoman first met, which with Fornes’ aesthetic, is in the dark and rainy 1960s. His Batman costume instantly became one of my favorite Batman suits in King’s Batman run and is very reminiscent to the Batman ‘66 TV show, which might not be coincidental seeing as this is King’s 66th issue in his run.

Credit to DC Comics and artist Jorge Fornes

As good as Fornes’ Batman was, his Catwoman might even be better. That full, purple original Catwoman suit is fantastic and it’s a wonder why anyone redesigned her look. Fornes does such a good job making Catwoman’s “memories” look very rainy and dark, while her interrogation is well lit and open. The noir aesthetic is great and really completes King’s script, and it also adds an element of nostalgia and worldbuilding.

9/10

“Knightmares, Part 4” has been the best issue of  this arc, thus far, as it doesn’t seem like filler. King finally starts to address the actual fallout of the Batman/Catwoman not-wedding, as well as the underlying Bane story that has been building for some time now.