For some reason–editorial interference one suspects–Tarantula takes center stage this issue. I guess she needed some exposure, but Gabrych gives it to her at the expense of Batman’s time.

Gabrych splits the issue between Tarantula, Batman and regular people. He does great on Batman–he even takes the time to do an epilogue to the previous arc, which sadly features Matches Malone. Even with the rest of the Batman stuff tying into Tarantula’s case, it’s good stuff.

The regular people of Gotham stuff is good too much. Gabrych and Woods give the setting a lot of texture to Gotham; Gabrych has a very nice third person voice for his narration. It feels very Batman.

The Tarantula stuff, however, even though Gabrych writes it pretty well… is just a waste of time. Her first person narration is annoying; she seems sort of incompetent.

At least the awful backup concludes.

CREDITS

Monsters of Rot, Part One: Cleansing Fires; writer, Andersen Gabrych; penciller, Pete Woods; inker, Cam Smith; colorist, Jason Wright; editors, Michael Wright and Bob Schreck. The Tailor, Conclusion; writer, A.J. Lieberman; penciller, Jean-Jacques Dzialowski; inker, Dan Green; colorist, Giulia Brusco; editors, Nachie Castro and Matt Idelson. Letterer, Clem Robins; publisher, DC Comics.

Gabrych spends about a fourth of the issue with Bruce describing the surgical procedure for a cesarean section delivery. Just before the delivery, there’s a long argument between Bruce and some Lady Macbeth crime lord. It’s different to be sure.

A little later, when Batman heads out to fight Mister Freeze, Leslie is shocked at the decision. It’s a slightly meta textual scene, with her stunned he’s all of a sudden going to bring supervillains into their real, tragic situation.

The fight scene is a fight scene–Gabrych has already done the issue’s biggest work–and the Woods art is definitely nice.

He closes off the story with Bruce and Leslie in a nice little scene together. Gabrych is trying to do something with the character.

The backup has some truly awful narration from writer Lieberman. It goes on and on and nothing happens, just setup for the next installment.

CREDITS

The Surrogate, Part Three: Deliverance; writer, Andersen Gabrych; penciller, Pete Woods; inker, Cam Smith; colorist, Jason Wright; editors, Michael Wright and Bob Schreck. The Tailor, Part Five; writer, A.J. Lieberman; penciller, Jean-Jacques Dzialowski; inker, Dan Green; colorist, Giulia Brusco; editor, Matt Idelson. Letterer, Clem Robins; publisher, DC Comics.

Less detection, more action. There’s even a sequence where Batman’s on a motorcycle driving across a bridge’s suspension cables. It’s a little much. Along with Mr. Freeze messing around with drug dealers, it seems like Gabrych and Woods are trying to bring some measure of realism to the comic. Not a lot, but a little.

It mostly works, though Gabrych then has the problem his flashbacks are more interesting than the present action. Young Bruce and Alfred visiting Leslie in Africa. Alfred has the hots for her, Bruce has to beat up guerillas. It’s a lot more compelling than Batman driving all over Gotham looking for clues.

The villains and their whole plot is too intentionally confusing and repetitive. Freeze’s little gang brings some pep but then the story hits the cliffhanger.

Still, some great parts.

The backup art’s Dzialowski again. Otherwise, it’s still terrible. Lieberman’s just a bad writer.

CREDITS

The Surrogate, Part Two: The Blinding; writer, Andersen Gabrych; penciller, Pete Woods; inker, Cam Smith; colorist, Jason Wright; editors, Michael Wright and Bob Schreck. The Tailor, Part Four; writer, A.J. Lieberman; penciller, Jean-Jacques Dzialowski; inker, Dan Green; colorist, Giulia Brusco; editor, Matt Idelson. Letterer, Clem Robins; publisher, DC Comics.