OK, I promise…I’m done with the comparisons between Tony Daniel’s
BATTLE FOR THE COWL and his current run on
BATMAN.
Well, let me say it one more time and that will be it. I’m certainly enjoying TD’s run on the flagship Batman monthly as opposed to BFTC (which I hated).
“Life After Death” continues with the third installment of this story arc and we find ourselves at the halfway mark. Someone is trying to start a huge mob war in Gotham and it appears as if Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot is getting the brunt of the attacks. Meanwhile, The Dick-Batman is doing his best to stop this thing before it gets totally out of control.
Many of the plot threads that Daniel has been putting together over the last couple of issues show up here and as a result, the pace of the story is rather exhausting and confusing. In fact, I had to re-read this issue a couple of times as well as go back and look at #s 692 and 693 to help figure out exactly what the hell was going on. While the story seems to be a bit perplexing right now, it looks as if these different storylines are gradually starting to gel. Like I said, we’re at the halfway point, so I suspect things will really start to come together from this point on.
As far the artwork, I think it’s fantastic. I’ve been of fan of Daniel’s Batman stuff since he was providing the art during Grant Morrison’s run on the title. What’s cool to me is that there is a subtle, yet noticeable, difference in his Dick-Batman as opposed to the original. Yes, were talking about drawing “Batman” here, but you can tell that this isn’t Bruce Wayne in the suit despite the fact that he’s dressed up as The Dark Knight.
I’ll be the first to admit that BATMAN isn’t currently setting the comic book world on fire. I also don’t think when Daniel’s run is done, it will eventually become a classic TPB/GN. But it’s certainly doesn’t suck and I’m enjoying both the mob element and the fact TD’s bringing in some cool (and sometimes classic) Batman villains into his tale. Honestly, BATMAN currently reads a lot like an old 1970s DETECTIVE COMICS story -- which is perfectly fine by me.
Oh yeah, I’m also wondering what Daniel is going to do with the fake Bruce Wayne. I’d like to see the real one return (not in pirate gear) and pound his ass into the ground. But that’s just me.
All in all, a pretty good story is at hand here despite the fact things seem to be a little convoluted at the moment. The only real negative at this point for me is that I’m not all that interested in this Dick-Helena-Barbara “love trinangle” -- I’m choosing to ignore that subplot as much as possible.
Regardless, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where this thing goes and how it ends.
