Comic Cover Of The Week: Batman Rebirth #22

When is The Batman not The Batman?… when he’s The Batman!… confused? you wouldn’t be if you have read the previous two issues leading up to what might be the most emotional Batman story ever wrought… that’s right Bat-fans… EVER.

What could possibly be the greatest gift you could ever give to the Dark Knight Detective? a solid gold Batarang? how about a brand spanking new Batmobile? none of these would remotely interest the dark and sullen one, but in issue 22 of Batman Rebirth, DC gives the Caped Crusader something he has longed for since he was a desolate young man… a reunion with his dead father, Thomas Wayne!

Sensational scribes Joshua Williamson and Tom King bring us, quite possibly, one of the most emotionally charged stories in Batman history, when he finally comes face to face with his patriarch. If you’re unfamiliar with this particular variant of Bruce’s long dead dad, allow me to introduce you to the Flashpoint Paradox version of The Batman. Once again, The Flash has altered the timeline (you really have to stop doing this Barry, it’s getting rather annoying for everyone involved you know!) and within this transmuted timeline The Batman isn’t Bruce Wayne but his Father Thomas, Bruce lays dead at the hands of his parent’s former murderer, Joe Chill, compelling Thomas to avenge his death as the Dark Knight.

I’m not the hero of this story. I am a man who has been corrupted by his own unbearable pain. I am a man who has too much blood on his hands to be called good. I am a man who had nothing to live for… until I met The Flash.

“The Button” storyline contained within the pages of the recent Batman Rebirth issues is without a shadow of doubt as much a sequel to the excellent Flashpoint series as it is the continuing tale of DC’s Rebirth narrative. Batman’s discovery of The Comedian’s bloodied smiley badge in the Batcave has ultimately brought him face to face with his father, and it’s an emotional experience for Bruce… and us!

Batman #22 ships with a fantastic lenticular cover by the exceptionally talented Jason Fabok, whose astounding artwork also adorns the pages within. In fact it’s Fabok’s stellar skills that really push this issue to all new heights of greatness, not only complimenting the writing talents of Williamson and King, but deftly surpassing them. 

Batman #22 is available at your local comic-book emporium right now.