Batman #77 Review

Writer: Tom King/Artists: Mikel Janín & Tony S. Daniel/DC Comics Towards the end of last week, when preview issues typically land in the hands of certain reviewers and other comics VIPs, there was already talk that issue #77 of Batman would be one to remember. Before I could make the time to sit down and give the issue the attention I felt it deserved, I spent my brief, idle moments speculating on what would come. Would Martha Wayne come back from the dead? Would Thomas Wayne do something unimaginable? Hell, maybe there would be a revelation that Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne actually did get married back in issue #50 and everything up to now has been a dream. While these were fun possibilities to consider, there’s no way to prepare for the events that actually transpire between the pages of Batman #77.

The issue begins with Damian Wayne taking on Gotham Girl. This means he’s clearly gone against everyone’s wishes and made his way into Gotham City, both putting Alfred’s life and his own in danger. Surprisingly enough, he more than holds his own against Gotham Girl, who’s been revealed to have Justice League-level strength. The first of many huge moments of the issue soon follows as one branch of the Wayne family tree intertwines with another. Damian is in full Damian-mode — entitled, arrogant, but also highly capable and deadly — as the two come to both mental and physical blows. I won’t spoil how this turns out for you as it plays a large role in the next huge moment of t…