Synopsis: With mere hours to go before Batman’s mind and body are destroyed by the Lion’s anti-fear virus, Batman takes drastic measures and seals himself inside an airtight suit to keep those around him safe while continuing his desperate search for a cure. But with the virus already taking hold and Batman’s fears melting away, the world will soon see how dangerous a Dark Knight without fear can be.
The Story
Picking things up from the last issue, Batman has sealed himself in an airtight Batsuit to prevent infecting anyone with the virus while he continues his investigation.
In flashback sequences, we learn about a troubled kid called Leo, who was helped by the Wayne Foundation after his father was sent to jail. Leo grows up agoraphobic and refuses to go outside, but shows an aptitude for science and wins the Gotham Science Fair at 17. Bruce Wayne personally presents him with the prize, which includes a trophy and a cash award.
Later, in his late teens and early twenties, Leo begins training as a fighter but disappears shortly after losing his first official bout. He eventually takes on the name The Lion after defending a bullied kid during an unsanctioned fight against a brawler known as The Beast.
In the present-day segments of the book, Batman pays Mr. Terrific a visit, where we learn that he and many of Gotham’s smartest scientists are working on a cure for the fear virus. Batman has an idea and broaches it with the team. He proposes experimenting with a drug stored in the Batcave.
Suffice to say, against their advice, he tests it on himself before confronting The Lion, but seemingly loses contact with Oracle and Robin. During their confrontation, The Lion reveals that his plan has already been executed and that everything Batman has been investigating was merely a series of distraction tactics.
Artwork
Mikel Janín puts in a solid shift with the artwork on this book. I love the design of the airtight Batman suit and also the flashback sequences where we see the backstory for The Lion.
The sequence of panels showcasing Mr. Terrific’s lab, with Gotham’s top scientists hard at work, is also great fun. But the real treat comes toward the end of the issue, when Batman and The Lion meet again against the backdrop of a raging inferno, where The Lion reveals that his plan has already been set in motion.
Overall
This is another solid issue that adds depth to the ongoing storyline. I loved the backstory for The Lion and how we learn that he is a kid who benefited from Bruce Wayne’s foundation, which found him a home after his father was jailed.
It’s an interesting twist that Leo, aka The Lion, hates Batman but loves Bruce Wayne. The drug that Batman tries on himself, against the advice of Mr. Terrific, also creates an intriguing possibility when it comes to his latest meeting with The Lion.
In the story, Batman is in contact with both Oracle and Robin just before heading into the fire to confront The Lion, which makes me suspect that the entire sequence of panels is a hallucination. I guess we’ll find out in the next issue whether I’m right, but that’s where I’m at for now.
- Covers9.4
- Story9.8
- Artwork10
- Lettering9.4
- Colours10
