Batman, Volume III; Death of the Family

Written by Scott Snyder

Additional script by James Tynion IV

Art by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, and Jock

Colors by Fco Plascencia and Dave Baron

Letters by Richard Starkings, Jimmy Betancourt, Sal Cipriano, and Taylor Esposito

Cover by Greg Capullo and Fco Plascencia

Volume three of DC's New 52 core title, Batman, proves to any doubters this is not your father's Batman. No more Adam West in tight nylons running around, smacking the Joker, and calling him a fiend. Scott Snyder's characters live a little bit closer to reality.

In this collection of Batman issues 13-17, the Joker has returned to the spotlight to again torment the Caped Crusader, along with Police Commissioner James Gordon, Mayor Hady, and all Gotham City. His goal this time around: dispose of the "family" that made Batman weak. Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Red Robin, and Red Hood must die in order for Batman to be the man he once was.

Snyder is a masterful storyteller. The events of his horrific tales often leave readers shuddering, gasping for breath, and craving more. Within the first chapter of Death of the Family, 19 police officers and multiple citizens have perished at the hands of the Joker. You didn't see Cesar Romero doing that.

As if the bloodshed and violence weren't enough for the new-age comics fan, Batman readers recall that Joker had his face severed by Dollmaker in Detective Comics #1. In the first chapter of this series, the madman infiltrates the GCPD to recover his face from an evidence locker. He then goes through the series with his face re-attached via pins and a belt around his head. This particular superhero comic has officially entered the realm of horror. That's what Mr. Snyder does.

I often give artist Greg Capullo negative reviews in former critiques. I'm a fan of sharp, detailed graphic art, and his pencils didn't appeal to me. But Mr. Capullo has grown on me. I now realize that his dark, abstract style compliments Mr. Snyder's dark stories. I see now why he's drawing Batman and not Superman.

For any reader or fan who has yet to check out this series, but has enjoyed either Snyder's prior works and/or great Batman stories, add this to your collection today.