Batman #22 Review - Full Speed Ahead

If you are a fan of Flashpoint, this is the book you've been waiting for. Like all good reunions though, it's over way too soon.

Spoilers incoming for Batman #22, so you've been warned.

Last issue The Flash and Batman entered the Flashpoint universe, a universe that Flash assumed ceased to exist after he undid his previous trek through time. Despite the seldom appearances, Thomas Wayne's Batman has remained popular with fans, and Batman #22 illustrates why perfectly. The reunion aspect is the issue's biggest positive, but if you're at all invested in the Flashpoint universe you'll get a kick out of it.

Small asides like the realization about Bruce's Batcave taking more after his mom or Bruce revealing that Thomas is a grandfather effectively pull at the heartstrings, leading to a finale that makes you wish you had more time to enjoy this strange but wonderful moment. Helping land those character beats is the fantastic art by Jason Fabok and Brad Anderson. The only thing that can make their already outstanding Batman better is to have two of them, and seeing them fight side by side makes for an amazing visual.

Ironically the book's biggest strength is also its biggest weakness, as the overall plot of "The Button" and Rebirth's larger Watchmen mystery isn't moved forward hardly at all, making this more of a pit stop rather than hitting the next big milestone. It also doesn't help that a certain treadmill makes its unwelcome return so quickly.

While it does not move the story forward as much as expected, this is one of the best issues of the series thus far. If you're at all invested in the Flashpoint Universe or just Batman overall, this is an issue you won't want to miss.

Rating 4 out of 5 Stars.

Batman #22 is written by Joshua Williamson with art by Jason Fabok and Brad Anderson. The official description is located below.

"THE BUTTON" part three! The cataclysmic events of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1 continue here! The Dark Knight and The Fastest Man Alive, the two greatest detectives on any world, unite to explore the mystery behind a certain blood-stained smiley button embedded in the Batcave wall. What starts as a simple investigation turns deadly when the secrets of the button prove irresistible to an unwelcome third party—and it's not who anyone suspects! It's a mystery woven through time, and the ticking clock starts here!

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