REVIEW: Knight Terrors: Batman #2

The Bat is back in Knight Terrors: Batman #2. One of the best single issues featuring the iconic character in a long time. Can Batman defeat his inner demons (literally), wake up and save the world?

Bats is still trapped in his nightmare having just been the one to take the lives of his parents back in Crime Alley. Insomnia is there too, masquerading as kid Bruce Wayne getting his psychological torture on. Of course Batman can’t be tricked that easily and ingeniously escapes. He knows he’s in a nightmare and that Deadman is controlling his body and he needs to pull it together and get his mind and body back. And finally, he has to face the real version of his childhood self and his truest fear is revealed. The scene is a real highlight. Batman gets to talk to his younger self letting him know he won’t always be alone. They even have a touching moment about actual bats. Batman can be such a cold character so this moment, albeit brief, of him opening up is special and masterfully written by Joshua Williamson.

The art maintains the beautifully brutal dark tone mixed with vivid colors of issue #1. Kid Bruce Wayne is still incredibly creepy and giving off full Pennywise “IT” vibes. Batman looks particularly cool in this issue though. He gets a new suit and immolates one of his fellow Justice Leaguers in a nice switch-up. The visualization of his nightmare is also very well done. Settings range from the cityscape of an even darker than usual Gotham to his literal brain. Crime Alley is especially beautifully and sadly represented. Throw in a cool Matrix callback and visual shoutouts to iconic versions of Batman from comics, television, and film and the art team of Guillem March and Tomeu Morey have put together an amazing looking comic.

There is also a very brief side story written by Joshua Williamson showing Arsenal and Black Canary getting swept up in the nightmare wave. It gets intense quickly with both being attacked in their nightmares and their sleeping bodies under duress in the real world. The art of their nightmares by Trevor Hairsine and Antonio Fabela is spectacular. “Out of the frying pan and into the fire” best describes the cliffhanger ending.

Is this real or is Batman still trapped in his Nightmares? The ending raises more questions than delivers answers. But with a heartfelt moment in the midst of madness, Knight Terrors: Batman #2 manages to both grow the character and move along the greater story. Definitely a must read.

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Coloring – 5 Stars

Overall – 5 Stars

Written by; Joshua Williamson
Art by; Guillem March and Trevor Hairsine
Colors by; Tomeu Morey and Antonio Fabela
Letters by; Troy Peteri
Published by; DC Comics

Author Profile

Christopher R. Ford

Writer, author, and blogger. Published author of three children's books and also writes for the boy Creators For The Culture. Part-time sneaker head, full time nerd.