This story opens at the “Tyne-Wear Derby” The Todd English, New York City. William Randolph Wintergreen, Squad 52 of Her Majesty’s Special Air Service, retired of course, runs into Al Pennyworth and Penelope Blake. Then we jump to ten years later at the “Teacups Thrown” The Todd Derby New York City. And then we see the Batman along with Commissioner Gordon investigating the scene of a bank break in. The perps were looking for 22 boxes belonging to a Bernie Chau.
The Creative Team:
Some of the best Batman stories are coming out in today’s DC universe and I’ve been privileged to review several of them. This looks like a great beginning to a neo-noir crime style story as Priest piles on the clues with issue one which seems to be a good set up for a hell of a mystery. After the bank robbery scene, where Commissioner Gordon lays a package mailed to his office for the Batman, we jump to an action packed car chase involving the Batman and a van on a Gotham Highway. Priest knows that just a mystery tale involving the Caped Crusader isn’t going to keep long time comic book fans, he’s got to have at least one good action piece and here’s the first one. Great stuff in this issue includes the contents of the package which include DNA comparisons between two people Bruce Wayne is fond of (no spoilers) and The person that these DNA results implicates. This story should blow your mind! Awesome introduction issue.
Carlo Pagulayan gives us some great visuals in this Batman mystery. An awesome car chase scene is the highlight of this issue, complete with how the bank looked after the break in. There’s a Robin sequence where he breaks the fourth wall (sort of) to tell us that he doesn’t call “him” pop but he should since he’s earned the title, but who is “pop?” he may not be talking about Bruce Wayne and the look Pagulayan gives the boy wonder in this section is priceless. More Highlights include the Batman Deathstroke splash where they’re fighting while falling off a building. plus the Batwing crashing into a lake.
In Conclusion:
Here’s one of the most unusual Batman stories ever conceived. It’s amazing how the writers can still come up with unique stories for a character that’s almost 80 years old. This tale is a winner and belongs in every Batman fans library. From the robbery of Bernie Chau’s safe deposit boxes to Slade Wilson telling Batman that he fights crime because he allows it, Robin Breathes because he allows it. Is that the rant of an overconfident deluded windbag, or a truth spoken by someone who could take out the Dynamic Duo easily. We may find out in future issues as… to be continued. **** (8.8 rating)
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Writer – Christopher Priest
Art – Carlo Pagulayan
Colors – Jeremy Cox
Letters – Willie Schubert
Publisher – DC Comics
Author Profile
- Kevin Given has studied with “ Longridge Writers Group †and “ Writer’s Boot Camp †a speech/communications major from the University of Maine Presque-Isle/Orono sites. He has created the “ Karl Vincent Vampire Hunter †franchise which includes novels and comic books. They can be found on amazon, Indyplanet and Kindle. For a limited time you can get digital copies of “ Karl Vincent: Vampire hunter †# 1 and “ Files of Karl Vincent †# 1 for free on Indyplanet. Kevin is producing the third novel in the series “ Dracula Rising †(working title) and developing “ Foul Blood †into comic book form. Don't forget to check out the YouTube show " Comics: Let's Talk " hosted by Kevin Given
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