Batman: Volume 10: Epilogue [The New 52] by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Greg Capullo, Roge Antonio, Aco and Riley Rossmo (graphic novel review)
The final volume of Batman in the New 52 comprises of Batman #51-52; Batman Futures End # 1; Batman Annual # 4 and Batman Rebirth # 1, although the issue order within will make you guess which because it is somewhat convoluted. I mean, the opening story has an old and damaged Bruce Wayne drugging up and wearing a bat-suit to penetrate the vaults of Lexcorp to get the Caulder component for his latest clone and only 40 minutes to carry out before his drug dosage runs out.
The second story, goes back to the present where Wayne Manor goes back to him from being a criminal asylum and its inmate, including the Riddler, Clayface and Mr. Freeze, moved elsewhere. Everything else is spoiler. It does raise an interesting question as to why Ed Nigma not able to figure out who the Batman is? After all, what would be the criteria for someone to be behind the mask for anyone else? I guess even the Riddler has a blind spot.
The penultimate story, ‘The List’, encompasses the young Bruce Wayne right up to his time as the Batman and the therapy he had to achieve his goals, plus one by Alfred himself that he initially dismissed. If there’s to be an end story for the New 52 run, this one really hits all the right spots.
GF Willmetts
August 2024
(pub: DC Comics, 2017. page graphic novel softcover. Price: varies. ISBN: 978-1-40126-832-9
check out website: www.dc.com
