One of the franchised Bat heroes operates out of Africa.
General Information
Title: Batwing #1
Author: Judd Winick
Illustrator(s): Ben Oliver (art) and Brian Reber (colours)
Cover Date: November 2011
Cover Price: $2.99
Buy the digital edition.
Premise
David Zavimbe is a police officer in an African city that might actually be more corrupt than Gotham. He’s trying hard to turn it around, both as himself and as Batwing, equipped with armour provided by Batman himself.
High Point
The final reveal. There is clearly no need to pull punches for this title.
Low Point
It starts “now” and then jumps to “six weeks ago.” To me, that always feels like a cop out to artificially add excitment to an otherwise weak opening.
The Scores
This is a character who has never had an ongoing title. He first appeared recently in “Batman Incorporated #5,” which only released 8 issues before the relaunch. I haven’t read those, so this is my first exposure to the character. He’s not Batman, but I can see why Batman would respect him enough to include him in “Batman, Inc.” I give it 5 out of 6.
The artwork is excellent. It has something of a painted feel to it, which works very well for the tone and setting of the title. Characters are clearly and consistently depicted. I give it 6 out of 6.
The story is off to a good start. There’s going to be definite detective work here, which was one of the defining elements of the series it spun off from. I give it 5 out of 6.
The characterization of the title character is clear. We know what struggles he’ll face both with and without the mask. We also learn a bit about the people around him, but next to nothing about his adversary. This could be a very interesting ride. I give it 5 out of 6.
The emotional response is better than expected. I had no initial interest in the title, as I’d never seen the character, and was pleasantly surprised by it. The villain is as psychotic as a good Bat-villain should be. I give it 4 out of 6.
The flow is smooth, although that may not hold up well over the first story arc. This doesn’t get completely caught up with the inital “now” part of the issue before the flashback, and if it takes four to six months to get there, it may feel awkward to monthly readers. Still, this issue judged in isolation warrants 5 out of 6.
Overall, it’s a decent enough book. Bat fans should definitely check it out. Art fans should flip through it or check out preview pages, as you might pick it up for the art alone. I give it 4 out of 6.
In total, Batwing #1 receives 34 out of 42.
The New 52
Here are handy links for the reviews of all 52 new #1 issues:
- Action Comics
- All-Star Western
- Animal Man
- Aquaman
- Batgirl
- Batman
- Batman and Robin
- Batman: The Dark Knight
- Batwing
- Batwoman
- Birds of Prey
- Blackhawks
- Blue Beetle
- Captain Atom
- Catwoman
- DC Universe Presents
- Deathstroke
- Demon Knights
- Detective Comics
- The Flash
- Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.
- The Fury of Firestorm
- Green Arrow
- Green Lantern
- Green Lantern Corps
- Green Lantern: New Guardians
- Grifter
- Hawk and Dove
- I, Vampire
- Justice League
- Justice League Dark
- Justice League International
- Legion Lost
- Legion of Super-Heroes
- Men of War
- Mister Terrific
- Nightwing
- O.M.A.C.
- Red Hood and the Outlaws
- Red Lanterns
- Resurrection Man
- The Savage Hawkman
- Static Shock
- Stormwatch
- Suicide Squad
- Superboy
- Supergirl
- Superman
- Swamp Thing
- Teen Titans
- Voodoo
- Wonder Woman