Review: Batman One Dark Knight #2

Jock has a simplicity that belies an incredible level of skill and Batman One Dark Knight is the perfect showcase for his talents. Jock is an extraordinary story-teller and he gives us something we have been missing far too often in recent Batman comics, a solid story simply centered around Batman and the criminal world. This tale is boiled down to the very basic elements that make Batman great. It is done with such a deft hand that it feels new.

The focus here is not only on Batman as he struggles through a harrowing night, but on the gangs of Gotham as they face off with varying agendas. With the general Batman books in absolute disarray, this book is needed to show us that Batman truly can be great and truly can feel fresh while focusing on our central hero and the denizens of the city he protects. This book feels like a gangland version of No Man’s Land where the city is divided among various gangs out to help or hurt the escaped criminal E.M.P.

With the release of E.M.P./Edward’s powers plunged the city into darkness. The Batplane is down, the police are in disarray and the Batman is carrying Edward back to Blackgate by foot. Edward in turn worries about his abandoned son Brody. Brody in turn has elements out to help and hurt him including Oscar and Officer Vasquez.

Jock takes all of these elements and mixes them up in various conflicts to create a book that is full of action, contrasts, characterization and some of the best art we have had in modern comics. Each panel roars with explosive energy. Colors are used sparingly against the darkness of Gotham. The story is simple but the violence always has a specific purpose and the characters always have rich motivations. We get to see the coldness of Vasquez as she abandons an injured Montoya and threatens Brody. We see a guilt-filled Edward as he is shot and almost run over by a train car in spite of Batman’s best efforts. We see Alfred as he should be, working against the odds to help Bruce. And we see Batman, battered but never beaten.

This book is a worthy read and should be used as a model for how to make a great modern Batman book. The art, the action, the colors and the characters shine through. This book reminds us not only of what a great character Batman is, but what a great character Gotham is and how amazing the comic medium can be when done right.

Writing: 4.5 of 5 stars
Art: 5 of 5 stars
Colors: 5 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.8 of 5 stars

Writer: Jock
Art/Colors: Jock
Letters: Clem Robins
Publisher: DC Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.