I Am Batman #10
- Writer
- John Ridley
- Artist
- Christian Duce
- Letterer
- Troy Peteri
- Cover Artist
- Christian Duce, Rex Lokus
- Publisher
- DC
- Price
- $3.99
- Release Date
- 2022-06-14
- Colorist
- Rex Lokus
Out from the shadows of the Future State storyline emerged a hero who took on the mantle of the Caped Crusader left empty by his predecessor. Timothy "Jace" Fox, son of Lucius Fox, became DC Comics' first Black Batman. Following his initial clash with Mayor Nakano's Magistrate agents in Gotham City, Jace relocates to New York City with his mother and sisters, making it his new hunting grounds. However, his presence has spawned a new serial killer, one prepared to destabilize the system and expose the corrupt in the most gruesome ways possible. Written by John Ridley with artwork from Christian Duce and Rex Lokus and letters by Troy Peteri, I Am Batman #10 brings Jace face to face with his fear.
I Am Batman #10 opens with Batman confronting the Mayor of New York about his past dealings that may have made him a target of Manray, the serial killer on the loose. While the Mayor dismisses the allegations, Jace knows that even if he is innocent, once the Manray has him in his sights, things could go south at a moment's notice. It quickly does when the killer comes directly for the Mayor at City Hall, leaving behind bloodied bodies and utter destruction in his wake. As Manray is about to go for the kill, Batman comes in between him and his prey, leading to a no holds barred fight in the middle of the City.
The last time Jace encountered Manray, things did not go as planned as he had to make a hasty retreat. Whatever doesn't kill him makes him stronger and more able to confront the ghosts of the past and present as Jace stands his ground, inching ever close to the mantel he so proudly wears. I Am Batman #10 is round 2 of an adrenaline-fuelled, brutal brawl that has its moments. Coming from a filmmaking background, John Ridley puts his screenwriting skills to good use, captivating the reader's attention from the start. The story begins on a suspenseful note and then takes a sharp turn to familiar Batman-esque territory. However, it is not just the riveting narrative and fomenting tension but the unexpectedly witty exchanges between Batman and Manray, even the chemistry between the former and Detective Adriana Chubb, that makes the book more compelling. Although, some exposition could have been kept for later as it serves little purpose in the context of the current issue.
Another eye-catching aspect of the book is the sheer level of detail baked into the artwork, from the intricate backgrounds to the specifics in the costumes. Even though artist Christian Duce's pencil work is relatively cleaner and slicker than most illustrators on the Batman titles, his bold inking and framing of the action more than make up for any misgivings. More than that, it gives the book an overall cinematic look, with Batman giving a blow-by-blow answer to Manray this time, infusing an animated energy in the process. To create the nighttime ambiance, colorist Rex Lokus uses muted tones while keeping the lighting bright such that the action is easy to follow. However, once the latter dials to an eleven, so do the colors.
I Am Batman #10 checks all the boxes of an action-packed crime drama. While the rematch goes through expected motions, making anticipated moves and reaching an amicable ending, it still manages to keep the rush until the end. The keynote of this issue is still the final confrontation between Batman and Manray with their exchanges, both quips and punches, forming the central thematic struggle in the narrative. Even when it seems like the story is done and dusted, Ridley manages to draw the audience back into their seats using the cover of utter madness. I Am Batman #10 concludes this arc on a narrative hook that will have major ramifications for all involved, opening up prospective avenues of storytelling.
