The cover to "Batwing #7"
As I saw the comic cover by Jason Fabok, I knew I had to pick up this issue. His cover makes me wish he was drawing the comic. However, I have no complaints ever with Dustin Nguyen taking over for Ben Oliver.
The issue starts off with a scene from the past with the Kingdom in battle. It details what they did to get themselves in the situation Batwing is currently investigating. Batwing is questioning one of the few members of the Kingdom who has not been killed yet. Batwing is coming to Gotham as Batman drives the plane. He is following Massacre there. The issue then moves to Batman for a page and a half. He communicates with Alfred, Batgirl, and Nightwing who is with Robin (Winick re-living the old Dick/Damian days). The issue moves back to Batwing as becomesangry because his prisoner is not giving him any answers. The reader (whether Batwing does or not) gets the answers he is seeking in another flashback sequence as the Kingdom reflect on the events that just transpired in the previous flashback. They did nothing to save 50,000 who died under President Okura’s (Batwing’s ex-president) terror. As the flashback closes, Batwing is back in the focus. He apparently did find out what happened through the prisoner’s flashback. He then goes back to the front of the plane with Bruce. They speak about their focuses and personalities as people and crime fighters. Next, Batgirl returns on a computer screen (Oracle style). Batman continues to be in control while Dick and Damian are on the ground investigating a safe house. They are then attacked. The prisoner recognizes who it is. It is one of the ex-Kingdom and Massacre. While we close, Batwing also has an idea who Massacre really is.
The issue was pretty good. Writer Judd Winick certainly hits all the beats. I love his bringing Dick and Damian back together, and showing Batgirl’s computer expertise in her old Oracle form. While I love all that, I am somewhat estranged at Batwing being in Gotham City. It doesn’t feel like his territory but also does not feel what the narrative needs at this point. I feel the Batwing/Massacre struggle should end in Africa. However, what do I know? I am just a humble commentator. Beyond that, the art by Dustin Nguyen is as usual top notch. I find myself missing Ben Oliver a bit but with Nguyen I can never complain. I really think this is a great comic, and I hope the fundamentals of why Gotham City is the final battleground for these two foes comes to the forefront in the next issues.
