"BATMAN-IN-COMICS"
"BATMAN-IN-COMICS"
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January '06 Re-cap of BATMAN, LOTDK & GOTHAM KNIGHTS
Hi, everyone. Andy Luckett here with a small, admittedly non-comprehensive rundown of what’s shakin’ in the Batman end of the comicstand. Basically this is a place to give a synopsis of the events of last month in each title, and get you on track for next month. I’ll also throw in my thoughts on what I read for good measure. So without further ado (what is ado anyway, and why do we use so much of it?) let’s get right to it for January ’06.
BATMAN # 647
Tying in to Infinite Crisis and Villains United, this issue begins with Alfred surprised to witness Batman lost in thought; not in deductive mode, but simply staring off into space. Not much can cause Bruce to hesitate, but Jason Todd has that effect. But before the two former partners/current adversaries face off once again, we cut to a rooftop meeting between two very bad men: Deathstroke, Lex Luthor’s right hand in the new Society, and the leader of Gotham’s underworld, Roman Sionis, aka Black Mask. The two have met to finalize a deal -- if Black Mask will join the Society and provide his vast Gotham-based resources, Deathstroke will provide the means to destroy Mask’s competition for control of crime in Gotham: The Red Hood. Black Mask agrees, and Deathstroke immediately produces two Society members designed to take down Jason/Red Hood: Captain Nazi and the Hyena. Mask is not entirely convinced, especially since Nazi is not neo at all, having been created in the 40’s to take on Captain Marvel. He is essentially blind but for the use of special eyepieces. The issue progresses from here to a battle between the two rent-a-villains, Batman, and the Red Hood. Needless to say, Batman and the Red Hood put the two down hard and quickly, but this provides no healing to their current frosty relationship.
I was surprised how much I was entertained by this issue. I have read Judd Winick before and thought he could turn a phrase and write an involving and witty story, but had never read any of his Batman work. Going in, I wasn’t sure if his sparkling dialogue would rally fit in the mouths of the Bat-cast. But my concerns were mostly unfounded. The only really “schtick-y” exchange is between Deathstroke and Black Mask, discussing the age and infirmity of Captain Nazi and the sexual identity of Hyena. Even here it’s a funny conversation, and it balances the earnestness of the rest of the issue. Not bad at all, just a little strange to hear a bad-ass like Deathstroke vocalizing such things. However, my favorite part of the issue is the interplay between Batman and Red Hood. Through interior narration, Batman ponders how easily he and Jason flow together in battle, adopting old maneuvers and following each other’s moves with their own. Even as enemies, fighting together only to reach a common goal, We never hear Jason’s reaction – he is smartly left mysterious. Perhaps his thoughts will be revealed later.
Even so, this is a very important issue because it shows the possibility of two things – either Jason could be swayed back to Batman’s world through the nostalgia of the old days. Or, more likely, he will use these memories to exact a more devastating revenge. Tune in next month as Black Mask attempts a risky bargain that could have far-reaching consequences.
LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT # 197: "Blaze of Glory: The Spark"
Will Pfeifer (Writer)
My second favorite issue of the month. This issue begins, I believe, a new story centered on a concept that the Legends book was made for: a tale told from the POV of a character whose life has been impacted by the presence of Batman. In this case, our unlucky contestant is ex-con/would-be bank robber Erik Webber, released from a seven-year stint in the joint after a Batarang to the head torpedoed his well-planned bank heist and humiliated him in the process. We meet Webber again upon his release. However, it is not the joyous occasion one might think. A trip to the doctor (and a meeting with a fellow Batarang victim) confirms the source of Eric’s debhilitating headaches: an inoperable brain tumor. Webber knows this is no coincidence, he knows that Batarang sealed his doom. With his remaining time, Eric decides to exact a most unusual revenge on Batman and Gotham City.
I found this to be an immediately engaging story. Eric Webber is very smart, he plans his crime out to the letter, scrutinizing the mistakes of others to orchestrate seemingly the perfect crime. However, he is still outclassed by the Batman and made a laughingstock. Upon his release and the terrible diagnosis, he is till smart and methodical, starting slowly and teasing the great Batman to puzzle out the clues. It will be fascinating to see how this is resolved in the coming months. Will Batman ever know how negatively he has impacted Eric’s life, and if so, will it change his tactics at all?
BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS # 71: “The Shape of Things to Come, Part 4”
It’s Clayfaces-a-Go-Go this month, as we end off the Clayface/Hush saga. Batman is threatened by Hush, telling him that Alfred will die unless cured by the blood of a very specific physiology. Being The World’s Greatest Detective, Bats soon figures out what is needed, the blood of the child of Preston Payne and Sondra Fuller -- both Clayfaces. To secure this, Batman must break the extremely powerful and unpredictable Cassius (get it? Cassius Clayface? Cue rimshot here) out of his high-security containment cell in Arkham. Little does Bruce know this is just what Hush wants him to do, for his own purposes. Upon liberating Cassius, Batman finds him less than cooperative, and has to anesthetize him, carry him out, and take on the Arkham guards -- not to mention Hush on the premises. In the chaos, Batman finds an unexpected ally in the newest Clayface and finally secures the sample needed to save Alfred, but not before the helpful Clayface dies. Hush’s fate is left uncertain, but he will be back. All is not a happy ending, however, as the last Clayface’s family mourns their loss.
I was intrigued by the premise of this story, but the execution left me wanting. The concept of multiple Clay faces -- from Basil Carlo to the mysterious former fireman that dies this issue -- have always provided an entertaining mini-saga within the Bat-universe, but this story left quite a few things open. This may pay off in the future, but right now it’s a little frustrating.
For one thing, Alfred found out a surprising secret about the identity of Hush, but Batman -- at what seems to be the last issue of this story -- does not know this fact. Alfred is cured and cleared of his murder charge, but what was Hush’s ultimate goal? To kill Alfred and torment Bruce? Perhaps the answers were there, but it was not communicated well to me. I’ll be sure to check out future issues for more info, and let you know right here.
Andy Luckett is a contributor to BATMAN IN COMICS.
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