Batman #9

The Batman Family of comics started out the "New 52" as a crazy hodgepodge of stories, but as of this month the line has been taken over by the threat of the Court of Owls.

Scott Snyder has crafted a terrific menace here as Batman finds himself outmatched - almost - on his own turf. Not just in Gotham City, but in the Batcave itself, as he's attacked by a group of Talons (the almost unstoppable soldiers working for the Court of Owls).

This is a fun, intense action issue as Bruce Wayne and his allies try to protect Gotham's leaders from assassination at the hands of the Talons.

It's not often you see Batman pushed to the limit, but that's where he finds himself again, as he's outnumbered and outgunned - but never outsmarted.

It's also rare to find a Batman comic that's so action-heavy - but it's expertly handled by artist Greg Capullo, who's doing some of the best work of his career.

The creative team has managed to return Batman to the top tiers - where he rightfully belongs, of course. Let's hope he stays there a while.

Same for Snyder and Capullo.

Grade: A

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