Batman and Flash get down to business.
Compared to the scope of, say, Secret Empire, DC's "The Button" crossover is a pretty modest affair. That said, there's no more exciting storyline in superhero comics right now. This crossover pairs DC's two greatest costumed detectives on the biggest case of their careers, as they struggle to make sense of the mysterious smiley face button Batman uncovered in the Batcave and how it connects to the unseen foe who's been busy rewriting the fabric of the DCU. Readers might want to keep their expectations in check, however. While the first issue is well-crafted, it's a surprisingly slow start to such a brief crossover.
Clearly, writer Tom King and artist Jason Fabok are more interested in establishing the tone of this story than launching right into the thick of the plot. Batman #21 is certainly successful in that regard, opening with an unsettling glimpse of a hockey brawl gone bad and creating the impression that a dark storm is enveloping Gotham (both literally and figuratively). Again, this issue is very slowly and very deliberately paced, but that approach has its advantages.
It's also fun to see how directly "The Button" ties back to the events of Flashpoint. King ensures that readers could pretty much jump from Flashpoint to DC Universe Rebirth #1 to Batman #21 and get a complete, cohesive story. And as usual, King shows a knack for shaking up his stylistic approach with each new storyline. Gone is the dreamy tone of "I Am Suicide" and the hihgly introspective approach to "I Am Bane." In their place is an equally brutal but more straightforward superhero adventure.
And let's be honest, Fabok is the number one draw here. Fabok excels whenever he delves into the Dark Knight's world. His sleek, powerful, ultra-detailed figures compete with the best artists like Jim Lee and David Finch can offer. Fabok's storytelling never falters, either. Like Gary Frank in DCU Rebirth #1, Fabok makes a concerted effort to mirror the iconic nine-panel grid format of Watchmen (not that Fabok is averse to throwing out a gorgeous splash page now and again). That intricate approach to page construction really pays off during a prolonged fight sequence. This issue mirrors the imagery of Watchmen in even more direct ways. Clearly, the bar has been set incredibly high for artist Howard Porter in The Flash #21.
The Verdict
Batman #21 is a very slow-paced, methodical start to this crossover, which is a little frustrating considering that writers Tom king and Joshua Williamson only have four issues with which to work. Still, this is a gorgeous start to "The Button," and one that perfectly establishes the mood, even if it doesn't seem overly concerned with plot.
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