Short Review: Batman #64

I didn't want to get this crossover originally since I'm not a fan of Kings' work but since he's not writing the Batman issues I'm all in.

SPOILERS AHEAD


This issue is strange as the characters all know what happened in HIC but some act like they don't. Take the oddly upbeat John Stewart who wonders why Flash is acting weird and has to be REMINDED by Hawkgirl that Wally just died. Does John not know what a big deal that is? Hawkgirl herself wonders why Batman took off even though she's the one that explains that Batman and Flash are deeply affected by Sanctuary. Superman and Wonder Woman saw the bodies but their pretty cheerful. I get that Barry at least puts on a happy face, he believes he needs to be strong for others. He even shows his true feelings later on but it does feel a little out of place given the time/story.

Bruce and Barry are dealing with the stress of their case at Sanctuary. Barry lost his nephew and Batman isn't dealing with the trauma in a healthy way. I do like seeing Bruce being affected by everything that happened, especially since he is at least partly to blame for creating such a disastrous place as Sanctuary. But does no one at DC see the irony of the man who can't deal with trauma thinking he's capable of helping others deal with it? I don't blame Williamson for this but I'm not sure if DC sees this as a problem in universe or thinks it's perfectly reasonable.

Bruce is currently heartbroken over Selina dumping him, Dick losing his memory, estranged from Damian, beat Jason within an inch of his life and unable to cope with what happened in HIC. He hasn't slept in days and seems unwilling to attempt to solve any of his family problems. This may not be Williamsons' place to deal with those issues but I do find it's unbelievable that Batman can possibly fight in this state. He is not only seeing things but he hasn't refilled his utility belt to the point he has to use it as a weapon. Sure it's great to see him flawed but I'd like to see someone go all the way in showing how unfit he currently is. Instead Batman somehow managed to defeat a robot by himself that's as fast as Flash with a belt. When I read the preview I seriously thought King wrote this because he pulled something similar with Catwoman defeating speedsters.

I did like the flashback of Dick and Wally hanging out when they were all working together during their sidekick years. And Bruce being reminded of Wally in present day. I honestly think the story would flow better if the Justice League fight was cut and it started when Flash finds Batman at the Flash museum. There would be more tension and maybe more of an impact with them recalling the past. The story does tie in nicely to another failure of Bruces' where mental health is concerned: Gotham Girl. She has been acting up lately and he's trying to stop her. For some reason she thinks she can resurrect her brother.

It's an okay read to set up the arc I'm just curious where this will go. Will the next Batman issue focus on Bruces' failing as a mentor/father figure? The cover depicts a Sanctuary mask by Barry and a crowbar next to Bruce. I admit I'm a tiny bit hopeful that the reason why Bruce never took Jason there will be addressed. (Not retconned because we know from RHATO that Jason had no idea what the place was.)