It's starting to feel like the beginning of the end. This Zur-En-Arrh saga which has been going since the beginning of Zdarsky's run back in 2022 seems to be preparing for its grand finale. The stakes are building, the antagonists are preparing to make their final moves, and the core themes of what this was meant to all be about are laid out. Of course if you want to see this thing to its final conclusion, you'll need to pick up the Absolute Power event later this year. Until then, Batman takes its time in establishing what leads to that ultimate confrontation.

This issue is a slow burn, which works well to create a steady rising tension throughout the story. It's clear that the current status quo, while peaceful, is untenable and will soon come to a breaking point. Characters like Waller, Zur, and the Warden engage in a verbal tit for tat as they anticipate Bruce's return and what that might mean for Gotham. It's here that Jiménez is able to show his artistic ability at dramatic scenes in addition to the usual action. The quiet moments are intensified by the contrasting shadows and emotional closeups, even when the character doesn't have a face to speak of.

The core theme that this issue gets at is the nature of control and one's willingness to relinquish it. An early flashback to when Batman was still new on the Justice League shows how his reluctance to trust others puts him at a disadvantage. People are stronger together, even if that means not having total control over what might happen. They support one another and cover each other's blind spots.

It couples well with the idea that not everyone can take for granted their skills and abilities. Bruce is pretty much always assumed to be hyper capable in everything he does, almost effortlessly (at least compared to a normal human). However, as he ages and now has to go up against a powerful, robotic version of himself, he'll need that reliance on others in order to win. Bruce recalls a time when Tim struggled to learn as quickly as Dick did before him and needed to put in the effort in order to keep up. It's a heartfelt parallel which all ties together when Tim shows to help him in his hour of need.

Batman learning that he can't control everything and needs to trust his allies is a nice enough theme, even if one that's been revisited numerous times in the past, but as a climax to the larger narrative feels unsupported. It doesn't come completely out of left field, and even stands in focus for parts such as Gotham War, but overall it hasn't been what the story has been about. Zur-En-Arrh has repeatedly been referred to as a "better" Batman (which is evil for reasons), but nothing about that is connected to the idea of not having friends.

Contrast this with other stories that have done the same thing such as No Man's Land or Bruce Wayne: Fugitive. In both of those instances, some instigating factor directly led to Bruce's decision that he needs to do the whole vigilante thing alone and full time, causing a slow progression of his allies proving him wrong. The core theme was woven into the story from start to finish, and allowed the plot to be shaped by those ideas. Here, it just feels haphazardly slapped on at the end after a series of tenuously connected arc theses.

Conversely, Zur takes the opposite approach to the question of trust, looking to tighten his grip at every opportunity. The story even opens with him in a sort of panopticon device, allowing him to view everyone's electronic devices at once. It's an escalation of the totalitarian behavior he's been asserting over Gotham up until now. His desire to personally control everything leads him to building his army of robot servants and listening to Amanda Waller's arguments that he can't trust other superheroes. It's a clear setup for their working together a few months from now when they become the villains of Absolute Power.

Score: 5.5/10

Backup: Show the World

Like so many of the backups in Zdarsky's run, this is less a story unto itself and more a teaser for an upcoming plotline. In the strictest sense it is a depiction of events that happen, and even involves a conflict of sorts, and I suppose that is the definition of a "story". However, there's no rising action or climax, and the conflict is unrelated to anything else happening. It's almost just feels like something to keep the visuals interesting while we get the expository set up for what might happen later.

That being said, for what it is, it's at least enjoyable. Riddler is written well, with that appropriate mix of obnoxious and smug satisfaction in his ability for word play. Everyone is sick of his sense of superiority, which he only uses to further annoy those he sees as beneath him. The aforementioned fight, while unimportant, is wonderfully illustrated by Miguel Mendonça and lets the Warden give a succinct summary of the neuroses that drive the Riddler. Hopefully whatever this is setting up will feature Eddie at his best.

Score: 6.5/10

Recommended If

• You're excited for Absolute Power and want to see the lead-in
• Batman learning to trust is allies is a story beat you like seeing
• You're a fan of the expansive Zur-En-Arrh plot

Overall

Batman #147 is a story about how one copes with not having total control and needing to trust others. As a lead in to the upcoming Absolute Power event it makes sense and works well, but feels somewhat out of place with what the larger story has been about so far. In many ways the calm before the storm, its quiet moments allow for dramatic tension as well as reflection on what might not work with the overall narrative.

Overall score: 6/10

DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review.