Title: Batman.
Story-Arc: Bride or Burglar.
Volume: 6.
Writer(s): Tom King.
Illustrator(s): Mikel Janín & Joëlle Jones.
Publisher: DC Comics.
Format: Paperback (Read in Single Issues).
Release Date: July 31st 2018.
Pages: 168.
Genre(s): Comics, Science-Fiction.
ISBN13: 9781401280277.
My Overall Rating: ★★★★☆.
Previously on DC Universe Rebirth’s Batman:
Batman (Vol. 1) I Am Gotham by Tom King
Batman (Vol. 1.5.) Night of the Monster Men by Steve Orlando
Batman (Vol. 2) I Am Suicide by Tom King
Batman (Vol. 3) I Am Bane by Tom King
Batman/The Flash (Vol. 3.5) The Button by Tom King
Batman (Vol. 4) The War of Jokes and Riddles by Tom King
Batman (Vol. 5) Rules of Engagement by Tom King
Here we are. If there’s one big event currently being built up in the DC Universe, it’s the wedding between two of the most iconic characters: Batman and Catwoman. Their conflict-full relationship has always been a highlight of their cat and bat game, and it is something that has made their encounters so tantalizingly beautiful. Tim Burton’s 1992 Batman Returns movie is one of the main example of that special bond between both characters, and it is truly a special time for DC that Tom King has decided to make their union so memorable and possible. In the hands of anyone else, this could have easily turned out to be a huge mess, but Tom King’s approach to both these character’s personalities and interactions has made this truly admirable and beautiful.
Batman: Bride or Burglar is the 6th volume in the main Batman series and should be seen as the transitive collection to the main event to come. In this volume there are 3 different stories packed together and each don’t really follow each other, but they do deepen the complexity of both Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle’s character. The first stand-alone story is the origin of Bruce Wayne, it is then followed by a two-part story arc called Superfriends. This story arc follows the same idea as the previous Superfriends story arc by Tom King where he magnificently highlighted the relationship between Superman and Batman. This time around we get to see the relationship between Batman and Wonder Woman. The story then jumps into a two-part Poison Ivy-centered arc and concludes on a stand-alone story featuring Catwoman and her wild ride down memory lane, but also through a bunch of wedding dresses.
If there’s one thing that merits recognition, it’s Mikel Janín and Joëlle Jones artwork. What they bring to the table is magnificent and intensely intimate. With Tom King’s minimalist writing style and the heavy focus on facial reaction and subtle movements, the story always finds ways to land a heavy blow into the reader’s emotions. Mikel Janín’s artwork in particular is also incredibly stunning. The colouring is different from what you usually see, but easily elevates the game to a whole new level. Just take a look at his two-page full-scale panels. These moments easily put emphasis on the epic scale of the action scenes and the importance of it all. If anything, Tom King is always surrounded by fantastic artists that knows how to give his ideas the tone and gravitas they need.
The best thing about Tom King is that he has incredibly grown as a writer when it comes to Batman and his playground. His understand of several villains is easily noticeable in this volume, especially with characters like Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. The complexity he conveys regarding every character is astonishing, and it is something that I truly adore in his work nowadays. The story arc featuring Poison Ivy also shows the insane scope of King’s ideas and the near-impossible-to-guess nature of his stories. It’s stories like those that makes you realize how much of a genius he can be if given the liberty to do what he wants.
However, the main attraction of this volume remains Batman and Catwoman. Their understanding of each other is both stunning and chilling. How Tom King develops their relationship is beyond my understanding. It is not only iconic, but also as authentic as it could ever be. And so, here we are. The big moment is within sight, and love is in the air. Expect to see more wedding-talk in the DC Universe.
Roars and Echoes 
So, how long do you give this couple? I give them until the next time DC needs some story material and then bammo, soap opera time.Or maybe Damian Wayne’s mom (I have no idea who she is) will get jealous and try to kill Bats and Cats? Sorry for being so cynical…
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Nop, you’re absolutely right on that regard. Ever since it was hinted that this was going to happen further along the line, I had a feeling that it was going to be built up only to suddenly be destroyed in one of the most devastating ways possible. I’m looking forward to how it’ll go down though. Based on information I’ve heard, King plans to go on with this series till issue #100. I’d say around 75, the downfall will happen. 😀 I don’t think it’ll be who you think it is who will intervene since the encounter you speak of has already happened in volume 5. 😀
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Ahhh, ok. I’ve got no skin in this particular game, so my thoughts were just “throw it all at the wall” 🙂
Glad to hear you’re prepared for it.
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Not a fan of the whole idea, but the art is really cool indeed 🙂 I kind of can’t get past the fact that they still use exclamation marks on the title pages of the paperback one-issue copies… Sigh 😉
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Haha Tom King does love to test risky ideas, this one being one of them. 😁 Ahh the covers vary greatly in quality too, with variants too out there. Some can get quite wild, like that one with the exclamation mark. 😂
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To me it sounds more like a cheesy idea 😉 as nothing in Selina’s and very little in Bruce’s personality would point toward marriage. I definitely expect at least one tragic death, maybe an assassination attempt and a kidnapping 😀
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Terrific review Lashaan! I’d love to be at that wedding. Or, on second thought maybe not.🤔
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Thanks Kim! Hahahah yep, I wouldn’t. I’m pretty it won’t be a very peaceful wedding too. 😏
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I just read ‘The Wedding Album’ which is due out next Tues. Wonderful art/ alternative covers of the couple on their big day. Pretty fun stuff.
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I actually have that volume and will be reviewing it soon! 😂 Glad to hear it was pretty!
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HA!
Looking forward to your thoughts!
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Wonderful review! I am going to need to read this just so I can get to the (eventual) wedding😁
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Hahahah there’s some neat volumes to come (and will be reviewed) that are even more enticing to pick up too. 😏 Thanks for reading, Tammy!
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Haha “cat and bat game” I like that one. I didn’t know that this wedding was imminent. Pretty interesting. I guess I should not really be suprised as the romance between the two has always been in the air. The art for this one really looks absolutely spectacular. Batman is one of the DC characters that I have always liked. So…I guess I should say that I wish the happy couple a wonderful day? Awesome post Lashaan! 😊
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Yep, it’s a done deal! My future Batman reviews are mostly going to touch upon it too hahah I’m glad to hear some Batman appreciation from ya! If you had even hinted any hate towards him, you wouldn’t have heard the last of me! 😂 Oh, I don’t know about them having a wonderful day for now though. Their line of duty sort of blesses them with loads of trouble to come! 😂 Thanks for reading, my friend. 😁
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Haha…no worries, I would not even dream of saying something bad about bad him. Definitely don’t want the wrath of Lashaan coming upon me lol 😂😂 But yeah Batman is absolutely awesome! 😊😊
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I always get excited when you post a new Batman review my friend and it’s always great to hear your thoughts! I certainly think that Tom King has really been bringing in his A-game (as you cite yourself, I feel its all in the complexity he brings to the characters) since the ‘War of Jokes and Riddles’ and the lead-up to issue 50, and beyond, is pretty awesome.
Can’t wait to see King team-up with Mikel Janin on ‘Heroes in Crisis’ (which starts later this month I think). I may even give Joelle Jones’ Catwoman series a go when its starts getting collected as that sounds interesting.
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Hahah thanks for the support, sir! 😁 King really did get extra good at figuring out these characters. I was skeptical with the first couple of volumes, but like you said, since the Jokes and Riddles arc, he has been on a roll! He has become one of those authors that I’d insta-buy all his stuff. Really curious about that Heroes in Crisis story too.
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I just hope that he doesn’t get burnt out by DC’s tight publishing schedule and the second half of his Batman run continues to go from strength to strength.
Have you ever listened to the Word Balloon podcast by the way? They’re fascinating in-depth conversations with comic creators and there are regular check-ins with Tom King and Brian Michael Bendis which are really insightful.
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I do wonder where he’ll go with the series now. He still has plenty of villains he can explore further (which seems to be the case with the arrival of Mr. Freeze).
Oh snap, I haven’t heard of that. I don’t usually take the time to listen to full podcasts, but I’ll definitely look into that. Thanks for the tip!
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No worries, they tend to be quite lengthy (2 hours or so on average, some even go 3 hours) – but well worth it!
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