COMICBOOK REVIEW: FTN reviews Batman: Endgame #40

Batman: Endgame #40
Written by: Scott Snyder
Pencils by: Greg Cappulo

Christopher Nolan’s trilogy of movies might have captured the public imagination but for many people the definitive version of Batman in the 21st century has been Snyder and Cappulo’s comic book tales.

That comes to an end, there’s a clue in the title, with this epic and heartbreaking tale that is a must read for aficianados of Batman.

This is a run that deserves to be remembered as a key event in the character’s history as much as The Dark Knight Returns or Year One.

Snyder is one of the few writers since the mid 80s run of Frank Miller to put a unique spin on the character and create a compelling take on the entire Batman mythos.

Here we see Batman finally getting to grips with his arch nemesis The Joker in a showdown that doesn’t disappoint. The first few pages deal with the battle to stop The Joker’s latest nefarious plot but it’s the latter stages of the tale, when Batman and The Joker are alone with each other that really gets to the meat of the tale.

Spoilers are easy to find if you want them but it’s much more fun to go into this cold as we are given a stunning chapter in the Batman lore that will have repercussions for years to come.

There’s a real sense of peril as both Batman and The Joker realise that this is it, as far as their intertwining fates go, and you can’t help but be touched by Snyder’s mature and poignant take on both these men facing up to their destinies.

It keeps you guessing right up to the final panel but if you haven’t got on board with Snyder’s take on the tale you’ll want to do yourself a favour and rectify that.

This is how Batman should be done. Pathos and grandeur are in large supply and you’ll be counting the days to see how this, the most beloved of franchises, unfolds next.