BATMAN #632

6/10

Story: Bill Willingham
Art: Kinsun/Aaron Sowd

"War Games" Act 2, Part 8. This issue illustrates why it can be so difficult to keep the excitement level up in a massive crossover story. It's a fine part of the story, but when you've been anticipating major events to unravel in Gotham's gang war, this outing feels a bit flacid.

So what happens? Black Mask has murdered Orpheus, and is assuming his identity in order to trap/kill Batman. Zeis attacks Bats, and is promptly put in his place, but not before planting a bomb. While Bats goes to look for it, Black Mask (disguised as Orph) helps Zeis escape. Power is restored to Gotham. The Batman/Oracle relationship continues downhill with Bats acting downright catty.

In the final frames, we see how media coverage is swaying to anti-vigilante mode. Arturo refers to Batman and his "gang," a term not lost on Gothamites in the midst of this hellish war.