Review by Chris Partin

“Union”

Writer: Paul Dini

Artist: Guillem March

Colors: Jose Villarrubia

Letters: Steve Wands

Assistant Editor: Janelle Siegel

Editor: Mike Marts

Covers: Guillem March and J.G. Jones

If you listened to Episode 92 of the show you know that this book was not high on my list of books I wanted to read out of the whole “Batman Reborn” group of books. I have nothing against the creators. I think they’re some of the industry’s finest. I just really didn’t think we needed a series about Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn working together. I guess this is DC’s version of Cable/Deadpool, but with cleavage. So, sitting down and reading this issue I was already looking to write it off. The question really is – did I?

The story in this issue spins out of several events that have been happening over the last few months in various Batman titles. The main storyline being in Detective Comics with Hush having Catwoman’s heart removed in order to work over Batman. In my opinion that was one of the most messed up stories I’ve read in a while, especially in a Batman title. I liked it for the powerful impact it had on the characters involved and the way it showed that Hush would stop at nothing to destroy Batman. I was really hoping that we would hear more about the after effects of what happened to Selina, and we do get that in this issue. I expected nothing less from Paul Dini to create a story and to keep it fresh and meaningful to the characters involved. That’s why I like reading a series of Dini stories because they build on one another.

The villain in this story is basically a throw away character only put into the story to bring the characters together. I say that because normally that would be true. Will we see more of Boneblaster in the future of this series? I don’t know, but I wouldn’t put it past Dini to bring him back a few times. But, for the sake of this issue he’s used only to bring everyone together and to show that Catwoman is not quiet herself and is still suffering from the effects that Hush’s brutality had on her. Again, Dini’s writing and characterization is solid. There’s no denying it.

The art in this issue is something that really stands out to me. Guillem March, Jose Villarrubia, and Steve Wands really have done a really good job with this issue. The panel layouts are simple and well placed. Nothing is over the top. The action really flows well from panel to panel and it really adds to the overall storytelling. I am curious to see this art team six months from now or a year from now and compare it to this issue. I love seeing how an art team can come into a book having not worked with a set of characters before and to see how they progress over time. I have high hopes for this team.

I want to say I enjoy everything about this issue. I really want to, but I don’t. I can appreciate and respect the craft of it all. It’s well done. The writing is done well. The art is really good. I can’t take anything away from that. This is a well put together book, but it’s just not something I can read month in and month out. There is an audience for this series and I have a feeling that this creative team will make that audience happy every month. I’m just not part of that group.

Rating: 7 out of 10 (Above Average)