Here is the Practice review I wrote of Batman Eternal #13 for DC Infinite. As a reminder, it's mostly different from what I usually post on this site, so bear with me. Stephanie Brown has a tough life.
Batman Eternal #13 picks up right where Batman Eternal #12 left off, with a main focus on Jason Bard, Jim Gordon and son, and a return to Stephanie Brown's story. Since Batman Eternal #9 it seems that we are getting pseudo 'arcs' from the different writers. Batman Eternal #9 - 10 was John Layman's Catwoman/Falcone/Japan arc, and Tynion's was this issue and the last. It helps in regards to cohesiveness to have Tynion and Janin on this issue. After 8 or so issues of seemingly slightly disconnected stories.
Once again, Tynion does some really solid script work. Tynion has come a long way since his early days on Batman, and his scripts have gotten much better. Tynion's is definitely strongest with the young heroes like Tim Drake, Harper Row, and Stephanie Brown. Once again, Tynion deserves credit for his characterization of Tim Drake, which has been desperately needed since the beginning of The New 52. While his strengths lie with the younger heroes, Tynion does especially good work with Jason Bard and Vicki Vale.
Mikel Janin is among the best artists to grace Batman Eternal thus far, but my complaint about him for the last issue still stands. Janin's art is almost too clean and polished. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's just kind of plain to look at. It would be great to see Janin back on Batman Eternal, but I would much rather see Ian Bertram return.
The sequence with Jason Bard's plan was probably the best part of the comic. It's great to see justice prevail (for now), and Bard and company put forth a great plan. Seeing Forbes backed into a corner is great to see for a change. The Stephanie Brown side of the story continues to be rather depressing. Batman Eternal has done a good job of further developing Stephanie's origin and character, albeit running her through the gauntlet. It's was a good idea on the part of the writers to bring Stephanie Brown in a way that actually had an impact on the status-quo, unlike Carrie Kelley over in Tomasi's Batman and Robin. Again, interest in the Harper/Tim Drake plot line is heightened as a result of this issue.
Batman Eternal #13 is another solid entry in the series. Tynion is getting much better with his scripting, and Mikel Janin does clean and striking art work. Hopefully future issues can keep up the new found momentum that this series has been enjoying as of late.
Score: 8/10
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