Batman. Vol. 1: The Court of Owls

DC’s New 52 relaunches Batman villains more than the heroes. Bruce Wayne with his own “court” of sidekicks (Alfred, plus old and new Robins: Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, Damien Wayne) must accept that a centuries-old Gotham horror rhyme is real. A malevolent Court of Owls does exist, and its undead assassin, the Talon, is out for Batman. This new villain aims to terrify Bruce by challenging his mind and memory. The overall concept has a brilliant cohesiveness as an introduction to a creepy new clique of evildoers, wrapped in a well-crafted plot with cool details (Dick impersonating the Joker; the owl-insignia tooth characteristic of the Court’s assassins) and incredibly good art. Some of Capullo’s images of Batman grappling with the Talon have an almost sensual passion and beauty. The story is also a prequel to the Night of the Owls crossover event, which will fold in a dozen DC series, and kicks off an all-new series devoted to the Talon.