BATMAN: THE NIGHT OF THE OWLS
HARDCOVER
Last year
writer Scott Snyder and Kyle Higgins united for Batman: Gates of Gotham prior to
the September New 52 relaunch. Now their relationship has paid off as strong
ties between Batman and Nightwing titles are revealed as we head towards May’s Night of the Owls event. The Batman
franchise of books begins its one month crossover with the Night of the Owls storyline. Snyder asked the writers of the other
books if they wanted to participate so this is not a multi-part crossover but a
nonevent. However writer Judd Winick is responsible for writing three titles
including Batman: The Dark Knight, Catwoman, and Batwing.
The first
major crossover of The New 52, the Night of the Owls offered a great way to sample the other Batman
books as the writers and artists are in their second story arcs. The total
costs for Night of the Owls
crossover for April and May is $47.86.
Batman
returns after facing the Court of Owls only to discover a captured Talon within
the Batcave. After examining him, Batman discovers it is the great-grand father
of Dick Grayson. The revelation is revealed that Haly’s Circus presented a crop
of children to become future Talons for the Court of Owls and Dick was destined
to become one.
PRELUDE TO THE NIGHT OF THE OWLS
The Court
of Owls sends the Talons to attack and kill the high level government officials
of Gotham . The Wayne Manor is attack by
several Talons as both Bruce and Alfred defend themselves and barricade
themselves within the Batcave’s armory. Bruce asks Alfred to bring the
temperature down to subzero to slow the Talons down. Batman emerges from the
armory wearing a suit of armor while discovering the Talon’s plans. Alfred
sends the call to the Bat Family to stop the Talons.
In 1910 a
young William Cobb who lost his father while building the Gates of Gotham
becomes a Talon for the Court of Owls through the Haley’s Circus. Nightwing
protects Gotham ’s Mayor Sebastian Hady from a
Talon. After taking out the Talon, Nightwing is struck down by William Cobb who
killed Alan Wayne and is also Richard Grayson’s great-grandfather.
THE NIGHT OF THE OWLS HIGHLIGHTS
The Court of Owls targets Dr. Jeremiah Arkham however Batman arrives to deal with the Talons in Detective Comics #9. Dr. Arkham unleashes Roman Sionis AKA Black Mask to stop the mayhem inflicting Arkham Asylum by both Batman and the Talons. The other inmates are released to deal with the Talons as Dr. Arkham releases the sleeping gas. Batman kidnaps Dr. Arkham and takes him to a safe location.
Batwing #9 begins in 1856 where the Court of Owls debates whether to end the service of their latest Talon Alexander Staunton. The Talon returns to take out Lucius Fox however Batwing brings him down by blowing off his arms.
Batman #9 follows Bruce Wayne defeating the Talons who invaded both his home and the Batcave. After defeating the Talons and after the events of Detective Comics #9, Batman takes the new batmobile finds Lincoln
Commission Gordon is warned by the Court of the Owls not to anything or there will be consequences for him and his family in Batgirl #9. The Talon is a female who was recruited to the Court of Owls in 1946 from the Haly’s Circus.
Batman & Robin #9 focuses on a Talon targeting a National Guard General as Robin rescues him. The National Guard uses live ammo until they run out and Robin leads them into a charge with fixed bayonets against the Talon who existed since 1778. Robin finally beheads him and saves the General.
Birds of Prey #9 take on a Talon within a church then later at a train station. The Birds of Prey with Poison Ivy push the Talon within a meat locker and seal it shut.
Catwoman #9 brings the story of a Talon from 1665 Gotham City
Nightwing #9 takes on his great-grandfather William Cobb and discovers the Court of Owls represent the gray of Gotham City Gotham . Nightwing defeats and captures the Talon.
Red Hood and the Outlaws #9 are tasked to protect Victor Fries as they protect Gotham City
All-Star Western #9 Jonah Hex briefly shoots at a Talon who gets away. An unnecessary issue to the Night of the Owls crossover unless you are already collecting this title.
Batman: The Dark Knight #9 follows the Talon who killed Gotham mayoral candidate Lincoln March. The Talon remembers his failures of his past including facing Batman prior to his sleep. After killing Lincoln March, the Talon is defeated by Batman and lurks in the sewers of Gotham .
Batman Annual #1 begins 30 years ago when Mr. Freeze lost his mother after falling through the ice. However it is revealed she survived the first incident only to have a young Victor Fries push his mother in a wheel chair into the frozen waters. Following the events of Red Hood and the Outlaws, Mr. Freeze is imprisoned back in Arkham Asylum where he makes his escape. The Court of Owls has stolen his formula to bring the Talons back to life.
Mr. Freeze hits the Penguin’s Iceberg Casino to retrieve his guns. Now he is after Bruce Wayne who stole his beloved wife Nora from him and turned Doctor Victor Fries into Mr. Freeze. Nightwing and Robin arrive at the Wayne Tower Laboratories confronting Mr. Freeze. However Batman arrives to deal with his menace. Batman reveals Nora Fields is not Mr. Freeze’s wife but someone his is obsessed with loving.
This hardcover collects
Batman (2011) #7-9
Nightwing (2011) #8-9
Detective Comics (2011) #9
Batwing #9
Batgirl (2011) #9
Batman & Robin (2011) #9
Birds of Prey (2011) #9
Catwoman (2011) #9
Red Hood and the Outlaws #9
All-Star Western #9
Batman: The Dark Knight (2011) #9
Batman Annual (2011) #1
RECOMMENDED – 4 OUT OF 5
