Batman 900: A Romp through the Bat-Verse
Batman #135 / #900, by Chip Zdarsky, Mikel Janín, Mike Hawthorne, Jorge Jiménez, Adriano Di Benedetto, Romulo Fajardo Jr., Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles, offers the final definition of who Batman is, even across a multiverse's worth of "Batmen." After establishing a connection to the Joker's psyche, Red Mask leaps into the multiverse in a desperate attempt to break his own head and resemble his crazy alternative self. Batman follows Red Mask following a poignant moment of catharsis with this Earth's Alfred; the rear half of the issue is dedicated to a visual adventure across the cosmos. Readers are treated to innumerable iterations of Batman, all drawn in unique visual styles: Keaton Batman, West Batman, Timm Batman, Miller Batman, and more as Jorge Jiménez returns to the comic.
Particularly as the writer's time on the comic edges ever-closer to the one-year mark, there is much to be made of the Joker revelations in this issue as well as of Zdarsky's continuous "manifesto" on who Batman (and Robin!). But the art of Batman #900 generates the true power. Mike Hawthorne and Mikel Janín provide a strong basis in the first half, all of which build to the triumphal comeback of series regular Jorge Jiménez, whose work in this issue is indisputable that he is a defining Batman artist of the 21st century. Without Jiménez's visual tribute to the legendary "Batmen" of page and film, this journey across the Batman multiverse would not be conceivable. But behind these honors to Timm, Miller, Mignola, Jones, and more, Jiménez's unique, dynamic, and expressive approach comes through. The emotional climax of the issue is all the richer for that shining: Batman and Robin at last reconnect, and the moment is all Jiménez, exactly as it ought to be.
Batman #900 Is a Triumph.
Batman #900 marks Jiménez's return to the comic, and fans should be ecstatic: Tomeu Morey on colors notably has helped Zdarsky and Jiménez prove to be a winning team. Together, they have portrayed Batman falling from the moon, Batman fighting side by side with Robin, Batman facing massive space sharks, and Batman meeting a mutiverse's worth of other "Batmen." Should this celebratory Milestone Issue be anything to base on, this Batman team is merely getting started. This defines a character.
Available right now from DC Comics, check out Batman #135 / #900!
Batman #900: Beyond a Milestone
After eight decades, the Caped Crusader is still going strong, and every Bat-fan should definitely read Batman #900. More than anything else, this Milestone Issue examines Batman's legacy across page and film and is a real artistic success.
Though technically Batman #135, DC has calculated that Batman #135 is actually Batman #900, a significant milestone for one of the longest continually running superhero comic books based on past volumes of the Batman title factored in. After eight decades of Batman storylines, one would expect the book to fall short, but the most recent arc has been offering an intriguing multiverse tale. Bruce Wayne has been banished and lost in another Gotham, one devoid of a Batman even if it is rather dark. Red Mask, the "sane" but just as nasty version of the Joker in this dimension, poses the main menace to "The Bat-Man of Gotham." Beginning across several Bat-universes in the show-stopping pages of Batman #900, the arc has been building to their ultimate face-off.
Batman's Value:
For a long period, Batman has captivated and shaped many of his readers. The program has shown its relevance throughout time and most likely will continue to be so. Fans will always find great fascination in the characters and plot, which makes this comic book among the most popular ones of all time.
Batman #900 exhibits the grandeur of the production. The force of the show is indisputable given the outstanding art. One of the most fun and unforgettable stories of all time results from the combined imagination of the showrunner and artist.
