Writer: Greg RuckaPlot: As the end of Gotham's annexation draws closer, Oracle and Batman discover the identity of the Outside Interest, with whom the Penguin attempts to make a dirty deal.
The man behind the mask finally resurfaces, as what we were half-promised from the outset of No Man's Land - that more of Bruce would appear - comes out in his confrontation with Catwoman. The Batman/Bruce hybrid says, "Thanks," "Take care of yourself," and "[You can] count on [me chasing you, Catwoman]!" with a smile on his face. It's about time!
Greg Rucka sure knows how to write the Joker, especially near the end, with the question and answer period, and his Penguin is just as outstanding. The art team likewise came through with both characters. I'm glad to see Sienkiewicz doing some Bat-work again. Seems like it's been a while.
Eaglesham and Miki's cover proves they know that Bane's not using the venom drug anymore. Apparently, the interior art team does not, because Bane has that venom-inducing mechanism strapped to his arm.
The amount of stuff going on in this issue had me amazed at how Greg manages to make it flow so well: the Joker and Harley, Batman and Catwoman, Oracle's discovery, Lucius Fox in Washington, the Penguin and Mercy, Bane's involvement, Jim and Sarah, Renee Montoya and Billy Pettit, Batman's confrontation with the Huntress, Azrael and Batgirl, and of course, Lex Luthor. That's a whole lot of story packed into one book.
