Batman escapes from Arkham Asylum in Batman No. 70

Batman has finally woken up, and he’s not happy. Now, he has to fight his rogues gallery to escape from Arkham and get one step closer to fighting Bane.

Some readers criticized Tom King for using the last arc, “Knightmares,” as filler and setting the main title on neutral. However, there is nothing filler about Batman No. 70, as Tom King dispels those notions and depicts a mad-as-hell Batman, who is fighting his way out of Arkham Asylum one rogues gallery member at a time.

“The Fall and the Fallen, Part 1” sees Batman wake up from his drug-induced stupor and individually taking out every villain that stands in his way. Batman No. 70 is a real “who’s who” of Batman’s rogues gallery, and it’s fun to see the Dark Knight punch them out of existence one at a time. As fun as that might be, it is hintedthat although Batman seems in control, Bane is pulling the strings and is laying out this maze exactly how he wants it.

This issue works incredibly well in reminding us that Batman is fear incarnate, and it injects life back into a character that has undergone some real emotional and psychological rehabilitation, a rehabilitation that has now spanned 18 issues. Butt-kicking Batman is fun to read, and Batman No. 70 lays the track for a Batman we haven’t seen in quite some time.

Credit to DC comics and page artist Jorge Fornes

There also seems to be a weight lifted, as Batman now seems to be over, or at least has comes to terms with his relationship and failed marriage attempt with Catwoman. So although many have criticized King for the lack of action in last arc, we as readers don’t get to this point without the “Knighmares” arc, and that is good anticipation building and storytelling.

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While there was a minor hiccup with the characterization of Bane in the last issue, under King, Bane as been elevated to the top of the food chain in regards to status of importance in Batman’s rogues gallery. What is yet to be determined is how the Joker fits into all of this, since King has hardly used the Joker in his run, except for his prequel story, the War of Riddles and Jokes.

The art in “The Fall and the Fallen, Part 1” is split between artists Mikel Janin and Jorge Fornes and, for the most part, it’s pretty seamless. But there are distinct differences between the two styles. Their Batman’s are drawn almost entirely different, yet it works for the context of the story. While Janin has been a staple on King’s run from almost the beginning, Fornes has quickly become one of King’s go=to artisst for this latter part in his run, and he’s been a welcome addition to the creative team.

9.5/10

Batman No. 70 kick starts the new arc into high gear, as the creative team turns an exciting corner in King’s Batman run.