Batman The Court of Owls: Comic Book Review

Bats make up a quarter of all mammal species, yet they're probably the last mammal you'll ever come across. They are masters of secrecy, hidden, but always watching. Feeding in the night...owning the night. But what happens when the owl, a natural predator of the bat, is introduced into the bat's environment? Or rather, what's a bat to do when the owls were nesting in the bat's habitat the entire time...hidden, but always watching....

The Court of Owls is an organized crime society which has secretly existed in Gotham city for over 100 years. They kidnap child performers, raise and transform them into highly skilled assassins known as Talons, in order to shape and influence the city through their eyes.

While fairly new to DC Comics, this story is beautifully and seamlessly executed and introduced by Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion. All of the twists, turns and intricate details of each character and Batman's overall history make this a completely engrossing comic book series. Unlike other introductions of characters or groups, you won't doubt the authenticity of this story for one second, despite the outrageous revelations of the character we all know.

Now the artwork. Ahh, the artwork. What's not to love? Because a comic book without great art is just a book with drawings.The use of color, shadow and even symbolism is so important when divulging into such a dark history for Batman, Nightwing (aka Dick Grayson), and Gotham City as a whole.

Another thing to note is how fluid the transition from Batman: The Court of Owls to Nightwing: Traps and Trapezes is. The latter follows the same story, but through Nightwing's eyes instead of Batman's. I highly recommend reading both versions of the series simultaneously.

So take a look at Volume 1, and let me know what you think. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Don't forget to follow Metta-X on Twitter at @MettaXReview.