Some thoughts about Batman: Secret Files #3

What is the history behind the assassins that came to Gotham City?

Batman has decided to investigate his new enemies but they might surprise him in several different ways.

Yet another Batman-centered special is released this week based on James Tynion IV's current run on Batman and, while I'm not really a fan of his work there (or everywhere else), there are a few decent stories here.

First we see Vita Ayala and this might not be the best way to start the special since the story itself is not that great. Is not bad mind you, I've enjoyed a few of a Ayala's works in the past but the problem is that is based on the idea that Batman believes someone like frikking Cheshire can be redeemed since he thinks she's not really a sociopath... which she is, she clearly is, she's also a well-known psychopath who is not afraid to kill an entire country to get what she wants (It happened), considering Batman is "The World's Greatest Detective" you might think this fact should be obvious for him but here that's not the case. Not badly written but still. Andie Tong's artwork is pretty solid with expressive characters and entertaining action scenes.

Phillip Kennedy Johnson offers a team-up of Batman and Green Arrow against Merlyn and is not like Merlyn is used in a particularly creative way here but I really digged the way how the author wrote the dynamic between Bruce and Ollie which was pretty entertaining with their constact back and forth although I must say that I expect Ollie to be more concerned once he sees his friend almost dying than simply saying "HOOOO BOY". Victor Ibanez's artwork has a pretty classic feel and the storytelling is clear.

Mariko Tamaki brings a tale about the recently-introduced villain Mr. Teeth and is centered around the encounter between Selina and him which is short but nicely paced although I still find Mr. Teeth rather derivative. Riley Rossmo's bizarre style is perfect for the story though.

The also recently-introduced villain, Gunsmith, gets a spotlight as well written by Dan Watters that tries very hard to be political concerning gun violence but it makes sense considering this is Batman we're talking about and the message seems on-point despite that the themes can get repetitive. John Paul Leon's semi-realistic artwork is pretty appropriate for the serious topic.

Finally comes James Tynion IV and guess what? This story is heavily-tied to his current Batman run, the Joker and his new pet character Punchline (Because apparently three spotlights this week for her were necessary), worst of all is that this was supposed to be Deathstroke's segment and he's barely a presence here, he's mostly here to overhype the other characters. I hate this. Sumit Kumar's art is pretty interesting though with strong proportions and a detailed tone.

Not bad, a few entertaining tales but not particularly great.