Pat Pitches: Scott Snyder's Batman Run

What up, Star Tugs!

Happy Tuesday, I hope you're all doing well. Sorry that I haven't posted in a while, I had some stuff in real life I needed to deal with, and that obviously takes priority. 

So, I got off of work about an hour ago, then proceeded to shave my beard off for 40 minutes (this' the reason why I kind of hate growing a beard, but I'm often too lazy to shave regularly. That's what you get I suppose. 😋) Oh yeah, and watching Angry Welshman Productions do a stream, that's totally helpful/productive.

All right, onto the topic you've all been waiting for. So today's post will be a pilot of sorts for a new set of blogs, Pat Pitches, everyone's new favorite recurring blog where I pitch a piece of media that I think you would enjoy, and that I enjoy.

So today's Pat Pitches is for Scott Snyder's run on Batman. Now, before you panic, he's NOT related to the Edge lord Zack Snyder, Scott Snyder is about the opposite of him. 

Now part of the reason I'm doing this is also to convince a certain writer friend of mind to give Scott Snyder's Batman run a chance. I keep telling my writer friend CC (who doesn't like Batman and thinks he's overrated) to give Scott Snyder's run a chance. To be fair, their logic is that Batman has had 17, count that, SEVENTEEN cinematic film appearances, and DC does rely on Batman a bit too much for films. Since I don't have a lot of time to talk to them because we're both working, I'm writing this. Shout out to CC btw, read their series Temple to Alien Gods, it's really good and is on Blogger.

For clarity, the Scott Snyder run on Batman I am referring to starts with The Court of Owls, if you are interested in the story. Please note their will be minor spoilers. 

Scott Snyder does what few writers in recent years have accomplished: add to the lore of Batman in a way that sticks. The Court of Owls feel like they have been apart of the Batman lore since Day One. The Court of Owls are Gotham's secret society, who even Batman doesn't know exist!! They're believed to be a myth, an urban legend, but do exist, and almost bring Batman to his breaking point, and prove themselves to be a formidable physical opponent. 

Throughout the stories, Scott Snyder develops the world of Gotham, and makes the city a character to itself. Scott Snyder describes the history of specific buildings, such as Gotham tower, the reasoning behind the Gargoyles' placing, and even the districts of the city. Scott Snyder makes Gotham feel like a place you could actually visit, that is if you want to die because of how many super villains reside there. 

Scott Snyder also handles Batman's Rogues and Supporting characters spectacularly. Scott Snyder develops on old characters, such as Dick Grayson, and even adds a few new characters, who feel like they belong in Gotham. My favorite character that Scott Snyder adds is Bluebird, who is developed slowly over the issues.

Let's focus on Batman a bit. Scott Snyder humanizes Batman in a way that few writers in recent years have done. In Nightshift (or is it the long night?) Batman, after losing a member of the Bat Family, goes on a rampage across the city, and nearly gets himself killed. He's called out for this, and in result hits the person trying to help him. Later, and here's the kicker, he realizes they're right, listens, and apologizes for his actions. In another story we see Superman and Batman team up to take on a supernatural threat, and Batman shows deep concern for his friend, and refers to Superman as such.

I think my favorite issues of Scott Snyder's Batman run are The Court of Owls, and Batman: Endgame (not to be confused with Avengers: Endgame). Batman: Endgame deals with the Joker, and it's truly terrifying seeing how close to totally destroying Gotham the Joker gets, as he releases his joker gas throughout the entire city, and for some reason does not appear able to die. Batman once again comes to the breaking point, and has to rely on the Bat Family and some rogues to save Gotham.

After Endgame, we see someone new take on the mantle. I won't say who, to not spoil it, but I will provide the premise, again, minor spoilers.

With Bruce Wayne no longer Batman, the city loses a source of hope. So to continue this, the police begin training police officers to become a new Batman, who works for the police, to continue Batman's legacy. I've read only the first volume that covers this arc (Volume 8 if memory serves me right), and I really enjoyed it. This volume also really humanizes Bruce, and is a very unique story in my opinion as Batman stories go.

So there you have it. If you're interested, give Scott Snyder's Batman run a try, you might find it refreshing from other Batman stories. Thank you all for reading this blog post. If you're interested, follow the blog to get email notifications, or follow me on Twitter @ConductorPat. I'll be running a poll soon after this goes live to see if people want more Pat Pitches blog posts. If you do, or don't (which is totally fair), then go give your answer on Twitter.

Thanks again. This' been a fun warm up, so once this' done I'm going to try and get some Lady Luck Vol. 1 writing done. Keep writing, and I'll see you on the Tramway!