BATMAN #3

The Thirteenth Hour

January 2012

 

Written by Scott Snyder

Pencils by Greg Capullo

Inks by Jonathon Glapion

 

Covers by Greg Capullo and Ivan Reis

Synopsis

In 1922, Alan Wayne believes someone is after him and that “someone” has nests all over the city.  Now…Batman tries to learn which gang let the assassin into Wayne Tower; however, he learns no one helped the assassin.  At the batcave, Batman talks to Alfred about the Court of Owls and the assassins claim that he “loved killing Waynes”.  As far as Bruce knows, no Wayne met an untimely death, except for his own parents.  Alfred then reveals that Alan Wayne develop an obsession with Owls.  But no foul play was suspected in his death.  Later, Bruce visits Lincoln in the hospital.  Lincoln reveals he has been hearing whispers about the Court of Owls.  Bruce still doesn’t believe the Court of Owls is real.  Later, Batman investigates Wayne Tower, specifically the 13^th floor.  Alan Wayne had been superstitious, so had therefore skipped the 13^th floor, but had still built an area where the 13^th floor should be.  There, he finds it inhabited by someone connected to the Court of Owls.  Checking into other buildings around Gotham, Batman finds more “nests.”  In the last one, however, a bomb is exploded with Batman inside.

 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

This book and this story just keeps getting better and better.  I loved this issue and the way it just unfolded, giving us bits and pieces of the mystery of the Owls, but giving us more clues about what is happening.  While some of the answers gave us more questions, I am not complaining.  I thought this issue, with conspiracy, paranoia, and solid detective work had the right pacing, the right tone, giving the reader enough information to speed along the plot and enough Batman moments (like the fight and finding the nests) to satisfy the Dark Knight jones.  I know I got my fix; this is damn good stuff.  

 

I thought the idea of the 13th floor and the nests, with the connection to the Alan Wayne trust, was a brilliant method to show how the Court of Owls had remained hidden over the years.  I also thought the technique used be Capullo to alert the reader that he was in a different location (by giving us a vision of the new building within the owl’s eyes) was also a brilliant maneuver. 

 

I also loved the method in which Batman deals with the gang members.  The words and the art perfectly meshed so when we get to the word “magnet” it hits the chord and it becomes both funny and ingenious at the same time.  If that one moment doesn’t make you smile, please consult your doctor. 

 

I am on the fence regarding the role of Lincoln in relation to the Owls, which I think is a good thing.  There is nothing in the story to suggest that Lincoln is a member of the Owls and he is setting up Bruce to walk right into the trap set by the Owls.  But neither can I believe that Lincoln is completely free Owls.  Maybe it is my own cynical nature, but it strikes me as odd that Lincoln is suddenly aware of the Owls just as Batman is becoming aware. Lincoln even says, “maybe they didn’t want you to know.”  Maybe having Lincoln tell Bruce is their way of letting him know. 

 

One wonders why the Court of Owls have allowed Bruce to operate in Gotham City for so long, why has it taken so long to get to this point where they want him out.  You would think that the Owls would’ve wanted to get rid of Bruce long before this.  Now, one could argue that in the DCnU it has only been 5 years, which is not that long of a time period, if you think about it.

 

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