Batman Confidential #47 and #48 is the wrapup to “Batman vs. the Undead”. After a cryptic meeting with Dr. Fate, Batman, Superman, the vampire Dimeter, and the werewolf Janko fly to earthquake ravaged Corto Maltese to confront Dr. Combs, voodoo queen Mama Elizi, and save Dimeter’s girlfriend Liv. Complications ensue, Batman has a very uncomfortable brush with magic for one, but this being a Batman book I think you can guess who comes out victorious.
At the end of the day, Kevin Vanhook’s story has its moments, but overall it falls victim to poor plotting. When you want someone to cryptically lead the characters to the next scene of supernatural action, you don’t include a heavy hitter like Dr. Fate or The Spectre or The Demon, and have them cop out that their magic won’t work, you use a lower key character like Deadman or The Phantom Stranger. Superman is victim to this throughout the story as well. He’s ineffective against magic and ends up doing not much of anything before the big finale. The question of why Superman is in this story in the first place isn’t really answered by story’s end. The villains are very thin as well.
On the positive side, Vanhook has a very interesting idea with Batman, how does he react when, like a Lovecraft protagonist, the rational man encounters something totally irrational and mind altering? But it’s brought up so late in the story that it’s never properly explored and left as more of a question. Vanhook has some genuine affection for his vampire Dimeter and werewolf Janko, perhaps inspired by reading Tomb of Dracula and Werewolf by Night, and he leaves them with storypoints that can be followed up on. It’s obvious that Vanhook would like to revisit them, sales pending. And there are lines here and there that pop and he has fun. Dimeter is a smart aleck, and it helps leaven the mood. Vanhook also has some fun referencing one of Harlan Ellison’s most famous stories in the dialogue. Much of this feels like a first draft to a better story with just a little bit more attention to plot and structure.
However, if the story is problematic, Tom Mandrake’s art has been a saving grace throughout the arc. It’s been dark, moody, and stylish throughout. There’s a really terrific splash page at the front of Batman Confidential #47 that’s a great example of layout, perspective, and finish which really makes Dr. Fate look awesome. Mandrake may just be the best moody, horror artist working these days.
Overall, “Batman vs. the Undead” has been a mixed bag. A problematic script in terms of plotting, character use, and focus. But a lot of the script problems were ameliorated by really fine art by Tom Mandrake. In all likelihood, you’re enjoyment of the story is going to directly proportional to your tolerance of Batman in a supernatural setting. It’s not worth running out of your way for, but it has its moments if you like this type of story
