Here’s a comic chosen at random from my collection.

Batman (2011) #7 by Scott Snyder (writer), Greg Capullo (pencils), Jonathan Glapion (inks), FCO (colors), Richard Starkings and Jimmy Betancourt (letters), Katie Kubert (asst. editor), Mike Marts (editor), and Capullo and FCO (cover)

The Court of Owls storyline was one of the–if not THE–strongest storyline with the launch of DC’s New 52. The issue opens with a flashback of the night that Bruce gets his inspiration to become a bat. But then we’re shown the bat that inspired Bruce be attacked and devoured by an owl. Unlike that unfortunate flying mammal, Batman has escaped the Court’s clutches. Back at the cave, we are shown just how badly the Batman was affected by his recent imprisonment because when he sees a “dead” Talon that Alfred secured for analysis, Bruce reacts with fear, backing away from the Talon. When I read this scene originally, my first thought was “Batman wouldn’t react that way!”, but I’ve since come to appreciate the take and evolution of the character as evidenced by those few panels. Later, Dick shows up to check on Bruce. Bruce proceeds to tell Dick that the Talon in the batcave is Dick’s great-grandfather. They have a disagreement about the information that Bruce isn’t sharing, prompting Bruce to hit Dick, knocking out a tooth. It turns out that Dick had been chosen to eventually become a Talon and working for the Court of Owls but fate, and Batman, intervened. I’ll tell you, I hated that scene. It’s supposed to be dramatic and perhaps showing that Bruce isn’t reacting intellectually, but unlike the previous scene that I came around on, this one I don’t buy at all.

Capullo, Glapion, and FCO do a great job at conveying the moodiness in general, and the fear and simmering anger that Bruce feels as the issue progresses in particular. If you haven’t read the Court of Owls story, I highly encourage you do so.