Ricky Church reviews Batman #49…
It is time. Bruce Wayne has reclaimed his true past as Batman. Now he must descend into the cave and face what he once was. Can he truly leave behind a life free from the pain and anguish of the Bat? Can he plunge once more into the madness and purpose that once consumed him? In this special, thrilling issue, watch as the fate of Bruce Wayne, and Batman, is decided once and for all.
SEE ALSO: Preview of Batman #49
With ‘Superheavy’ so close to ending, Scott Snyder has taken a break from the immediate threat of Mr. Bloom to focus on Bruce Wayne. Over the past year, Bruce has remained in a semi-amnesiac state, unaware he was Batman and wished to keep it that way as he built a new and happy life. As Snyder ends his epic run on Batman, he seemingly gives Bruce his memories back in his most trippy issue yet.
Bruce literally travels down memory lane as he returns to the Batcave, facing his decision to become Batman once again. This brought up some great emotional moments as Alfred, always Batman’s rock and trusted aid, tried to do everything he could to convince Bruce to alter his decision. Alfred’s impassioned speech about how he felt hit straight to the heart, and though some might say he was acting uncharacteristically selfish by wanting to keep Bruce ignorant, it really rang true that the very last thing Alfred would want is to see Bruce descend into the lonely and despairing world Batman inhabits once again.
As mentioned above, this story by Snyder and co-writer James Tynion IV is quite trippy. As Bruce attempts to rebuild his memory machine, we’re introduced to several alternate versions of Batman in his mind. These sequences were very reminiscent of Grant Morrison’s run from the comics, introducing some very high concepts and out-of-the-box ideas. Another idea utilized from Morrison’s era is the notion Batman is prepared for any outcome as he built failsafes into his memory machine.
What’s interesting about this particular concept is that throughout Snyder’s run on the title, his Batman has been overconfident and caught unawares several times, examining his flaws as well as his greatest attributes. Along with reintroducing Batman’s level of preparedness, they ask a very interesting question which many people have wondered: can Batman possibly be Batman without the trauma he faced as a child? If he were to move past it, can he possibly remain the superhero he is and be ‘better’? This has often been the constant thought as to why Bruce Wayne is and will be the one and only Batman; even with all the training and regimen, can he still succeed without the driving trauma behind him?
Greg Capullo took a break on this issue to continue work on next month’s Batman #50, the conclusion to ‘Superheavy’. Filling in for him is artist Yanick Paquette, who, funny enough, worked on Grant Morrison’s Return of Bruce Wayne and Batman Incorporated along with Scott Snyder’s Swamp Thing. Paquette is no stranger to illustrating crazy ideas thanks to his work with Morrison and each iteration of Paquette’s Batman in this issue would make a great series on its own. Nathan Fairbairn also takes over for FCO Plascencia on colour duties and makes each page pop, whether it’s Bruce’s bright and colourful visions or the dark and danky Batcave. This is definitely a great issue to look at.
As Snyder and Capullo’s time on Batman comes to a close, interludes like these are a great reminder of how excellent their partnership has been. Paquette and Fairbairn make the art standout and the Snyder and Tynion introduce some interesting ideas in Batman #49. Now that Bruce is ready to don the mantle of the bat again, its time to see Mr. Bloom taken down by the one and only Batman.
Ricky Church
https://youtu.be/b7Ozs5mj5ao?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
Originally published February 15, 2016. Updated March 2, 2020.
