Batman #60 Will Leave You Speechless

After an issue that carries forward the theme of the last few stories, Batman #60 ends on a final page that is simply a game changer. It’s really not hyperbole to say it either.
This issue was brought to us by Tom King, Mikel Janin, Jorge Fornes, Jordie Bellaire, and Clayton Cowles. This is clearly a lynchpin for the story, but it’s also a great depiction of a man mid-breakdown.
The story is split between three settings and main characters. Jim Gordon storms through GCPD headquarters, trying to figure out why Batman has become unhinged. Batman himself is beating criminals recently released or escaped from Arkham, trying to find one who will tell him that Bane’s taken over the Asylum. Meanwhile, Alfred is in the Batcave, keeping the captive (and blindfolded) Penguin company… until an intruder invades the cave and potentially changes everything.

If this story was just the story of Batman in the midst of a mental breakdown, it would be good. However, this is an issue where Bane makes a step forward in a huge way, using the one weapon in his arsenal that can cause a complete and total destruction of the Dark Knight. The last page truly left me shocked and thrilled to see what’s next.
However, I can’t gloss over the character work King does in this issue. Gordon does all the digging he can, comes up empty, and reacts in a raw and real way. Bruce himself is on the edge, about to fall apart, chasing a lead that in his heart he knows is true but cannot back up. The journey each man goes through in 20-odd pages is so real, and feels so incredibly human.

Adding Fornes to the art team for this issue was an inspired move. While Janin draws the Gordon and Alfred storylines wonderfully, Fornes draws Batman’s story. His more raw and sketchy line adds to the feel that Batman is teetering on the edge of a breakdown, and it’s just the right move.
Bellaire’s work continues to deepen the story as well. She uses different tones and palettes to set the mood, and convey the emotion behind the scene. It’s done to best effect in Gordon’s final scene in the issue, as the lighting she adds makes Gordon’s emotions explode from the page. And then her work on the final page is just a cherry on top…

I am going to spend the next two weeks awaiting the book’s next issue, and I think it’s going to make my heart burst. Well okay, THAT might be hyperbole.
Batman #60 is available now from DC Comics.