Batman #14 Review:

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo are having a hell of a run on Batman since the relaunch. Court of Owls not only amazed with it's incredible illustration and gripping narrative template, it managed to carve out a worthy place for itself in the broader lore. Now we're already into the second issue of Death of the Family. And while it soars against other titles. "Satanic Zombie Cultists" Seriously Batman and Robin? Seriously?! It fails to be quite as gripping as what came before. In part to Snyder already revealing Joker's character motivations. Something he's spoken to Comicvine, Ifanboy and just about every comic news site about. Simply put Batman's become too fat with this family he's amassed and how the Joker aims to rectify this by killing everyone Batman holds dear and returning the "Bat king" to his former glory. This is the first time within the narrative that Joker actually reveals his intentions and as such looses a lot of the punch as we already know what it is. And unfortunately this arc has fallen into the sad trend of relying to much on the "who will live and who will die" tagline of so many blockbuster arcs. So far other writers have made better use of the event by using Jokers rich history with the secondary characters composing the Bat family. Pick up Batgirl. Gail Simmon has tied in over 3 different story tie in's from the Killing Joke to the Black Mirror. It's a far better read! Despite this the issue has a few redeeming factors that make it worth picking up.

Redeeming factor UNO: A ton of lore references to give diehards that tingling south o' the border feeling. "The joker acid pit anyone" And a number of other throwbacks that are fun and well implemented to those well versed in the lore.

Redeeming factor DOS: Greg Capullo's art is still out of this world. The issue is dark and gritty and his style walks the fine and difficult line of being dark enough to invoke Snyder's writing while being comic enough in nature to not feel tiresome "I'M LOOKING AT YOU BATWING.... YOU PHOTO REALISTIC PIECE OF...BAHH".

Verdict: Look it's an issue worth picking up if for no other reason than it's intentional celebration of the Joker and lore in general. Just don't expect the kind of game changer DC was hyping this event to be. A fair 7/10.