Judd Winick continues to introduce us to the world of David Zavimbe in this month’s installment of
BATWING. In the first two issues of this title, we’ve become acquainted with this new hero, encountered the horrific villain Massacre, and learned of the original group of African superheroes who were known as “The Kingdom.”
Everything we’ve been exposed to up until this point has been leading to this first major battle between Batwing and Massacre, which takes up the bulk of the story this month. Although our hero isn’t in top fighting condition (thanks to that huge stab wound a few issues back), he’s able to utilize his Bat-gear to stand up to his enemy. It’s incredible to see the willpower present within this Agent of the Bat—I’m sure Bruce Wayne would be proud.
Even so, as learned last month, David does tend to rely on this technology a bit too much, and we see more of that here. Massacre also notices David’s over-reliance on his armor and gadgets, but Batwing is saved at the last moment before this weakness can be exposed. His savior is Thunder Fall, the former “Kingdom” superhero that Massacre was after in the first place. With Massacre temporarily incapacitated, David takes the chance to escape the encounter and take the weakened Thunder Fall to a nearby hospital.
If there’s one complaint I have about this title, it’s that sometimes I think it’s spreading itself a little too thin. Maybe it’s just that I’ve been spoiled by some of the New 52 titles with a much denser narrative (like Snyder’s BATMAN or Morrison’s ACTION COMICS). Still, in one page of this issue, Batwing states that he can do things that Massacre can’t (in terms of his super-cool technology). Three pages later, we get almost the exact same plot point with nearly the same wording -- it just seems a bit redundant.
Even with that minor nitpick, this issue provided a bit more backstory about David’s past, and we also learn that Massacre may be justified in his mission to kill the remaining members of The Kingdom. It’s intriguing to see the emerging lore of “DC Africa” revealed in each issue of BATWING. It gives the title a greater scope and provides David Zavimbe a reason to act as the Batman of Africa. All things considered, BATWING continues to be a unique and worthy addition to the New 52 Bat-lineup and I can’t wait for the next issue!
SYNOPSIS: Massacre's crusade of blood continues, and the only one standing in his way is Batwing, who finds himself fighting alongside a legendary hero of Africa: the mighty Thunder Fall! As more heroes are targeted by this madman, the mystery of why begins to unfold, as does the story of Batwing's dark past.
