[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artists: Alvaro Martinez, Raul Fernandez, & Brad Anderson
Summary
Ascalon, a homicidal God-loving machine has been set loose in the Iceberg Lounge. With some help from Zatanna, Batman is able to suit up and call in his allies to fight the monstrosity. Afterword, Nomoz and Dr. October get acquainted before she anaesthetized him and started patching him up. In times long past and in the present, Batman and Zatanna connect, and in his time of need he turns to the magician.
Positives
From the gorgeous cover by Yasmine Putri to the interior by Alvaro Martinez and the other artists, this issue is gorgeous! From the huge shot of Vegas, to the amazing shot of Zatanna unleashing an electric blast of water, the art is fantastic!
The character design of Ascalon is really interesting. It’s a clunky awkward machine making it’s way to its target. Much like a dog growing into it’s paws, it’s legs never seem to get comfortable or sit properly. It’s chest and shoulders are too big while it’s abdomen is too thin making it look wobbly. Throughout it’s first time out, it encounters much and even states that it must learn more.
Fans of the New-52 Detective Comics run will also notice the cameo of the Robo-Bunny-Bat suit in Fox’s lab. It also happens to be sporting a new and cool emoji face!
Negatives
Some of the drawings of Bruce’s and Zatanna’s faces were inconsistent and at times not properly proportioned. It threw off the flow of the issue as the few panels that it occurred were focused on their faces as well.
Verdict
Overall, this issue was great. It is wonderful to finally see Zatanna back in action and along side Batman again! We also get to see some of the fewer touched on characters in the DC universe.
