Summary: After a night of rounding up common thugs Batman is alerted that his former comrades from Batman Inc. are accused of murder.
Plot: For those who have been following along here over the years and keeping score at home it should come as no surprise when I say that I've had a love hate relationship with Batman over the last decade. Ever since Grant Morrison and Paul Dini left the Bat-office has gone from bad to worse in my eyes and although I've celebrated each changing of the guard since then...I've only been disappointed each time but with his fun run on the Flash and his recent Robin book I'm hoping Williamson is different. And it would seem I'm not alone as even DC editorial trumpeted this issue as a "NEW CHAPTER!" in big bold letters on the cover, seemingly admitting that they were aware that what had come before wasn't well received.  And although this is only the first issue I have to say that my initial reaction is wildly positive, as introductions go this book very much feels like a return to form for the main Bat-title. It kept its focus on Batman, gave us some classic action beats, and set up the new direction for the title with a brisk transition. Other than the return of Batman Inc.(which I always loved!) I think there were two scenes in particular that really drew me in; the first was the opening sequence where we see a pair of lowly thugs attempting a break in only to spot Batman spying upon them from a roof top and just his presence is enough to send them running to the police to turn them selves in. It's a short scene, but it's small scale really helped hit the reset button and give the reader a classic Batman feel. Appropriately enough the second scene that really captured me was reveal at the end...Lex Luthor is bank rolling Batman Inc. in the wake of Bruce losing his fortune. It was a great twist, and the casual way Luthor walked out of the shadows and onto the scene Batman was investigating just so perfectly executed that it truly left me wanting to know more. So although it's early yet to tell, and I'm not looking forward to the fact that Williamson will eventually getting into line wide stories latter on...I am feeling really good about the title for the first time in a long while.
Art: In the same way that the plot is largely a play on going back to basics the art also seems to strive to give you that classic feel. From the gargoyle like pose on the rooftop in the opening, to the chest thrust out with the cape blowing dramatically in the wind behind him "I am Batman" moment there's a lot of call backs to iconic moments from the past that are sure to be crowd pleasers...but my favorite showcase of Molina's talents was the costume party scene, not only did he give us a smorgasport of classic villain costumes through out the years, but the way he incorporated small panels focusing on specific areas with in the splash page of the whole party was brilliantly done and really gave you that huge party feel.
Art: 9/10