Review: “Batman: Battle For The Cowl” #2

Batman: Battle For The Cowl #2 (Of 3)

Writer/Artist: Tony Daniel

Inks: Sandu Florea

Colors: Ian Hannin

The second issue of Battle For The Cowl is here, but can we really say anything more about this series?  It picks up right where the second one left off, with a mysterious second Batman showing up and being identified with a less than shocking reveal (hint: its exactly who you think it is), and the majority of the issue is comprised of this Batman fighting with Tim, while Black Mask’s soldiers attack GCPD and Dick gets all sad and vindictive in the Batcave.

And that’s it.  Nothing really happens in this issue.  Yeah, there’s that last page, but c’mon.  You really think anything serious is going to come of that?  Because this is the second issue of the three part mini, there’s not a lot to happen here, and as a result we’re left with a lot of unresolved threads and lackluster action.  And how is it that Tim, who just bested Lady Shiva in the last issue of his own series, got his ass handed to him so readily in this issue?  And wasn’t Damien trained by the freaking League of Assassins?  There’s a lot of out of character moments and a lot of non exciting action, but hey, the Birds of Prey show up halfway through for their obligatory one panel appearance.  Oh, Batgirl and Spoiler on that cover?  Hope you enjoyed that, because they’re nowhere to be found in this issue.  And wasn’t Wildcat supposed to show up?  Where’s he so far?

There’s basically a whole lot of nothing in this issue, and with only one issue left to wrap it up, there’s a lot of concern as to whether or not the changes this series promises to bring about will be worthwhile.  Besides, I think we all know who’s going to wind up in the cowl at the end, don’t we?

Final Grade: D.  Here’s hoping #3 can pull a turn around.