DC Comics
Reviewed by Albert Avilla
Writer: Scott Snyder
Pencils: Greg Capullo
Inks: Jonathan Glapion
“Castle of Cards” (Spoilers)
Snyder has taken us on a ride to the dark side that we won’t soon forget. Each month, for the short amount of time that we take to read this comic masterpiece, we should be thankful for every event that led to this story being produced. Runs like this don’t come very often.
Synder makes a comic story an emotional experience. Everything that makes Batman great comes exploding off these pages. The Joker is pushing Batman to the edge; Batman will have to dig deep to keep himself from jumping over. Synder has a unique talent; he is a maestro using every instrument in the orchestra to present to us a symphony of words and pictures. He burns our emotional skin off and leaves us hypersensitive to the emotions that run through his story. Snyder leaves us awe struck by his creativity. He strikes terror in our hearts with scenes like the flaming horse and the tapestry made from living human bodies.
The depraved humor of the Joker sends chills down your spine, leaving you questioning your sanity for laughing at the Joker’s antics. The Joker has Batman at his wits end, but we know Batman is at the top of his game. He easily dispatches some of his most vicious enemies, and yet the Joker outsmarts him at every turn. The Joker taxes Batman physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s amazing how an insane mind is able to out-think and bluff some of the greatest minds. Action, horror, and sadistic humor: Synder gives it all to us. The Death of the Family crossover is showing us that Synder is out shining his fellow writers in the Batman family of comics. This is definitely a must-read comic. Batman is the best single hero comic that I read.
The art falls in line with the writing; it integrates itself into the greatness of the writing. It is dark and foreboding. It perfectly illustrates the evil.
I rate Batman #16 Recommend It to a Friend. #1 (of 5) on the Al-O-Meter
