Review: Batman Secret Files #2
One of the knocks on the Burton Batman movies is that they started a trend in which the villains became the focal point of the movie, ever the more colorful, interesting and more fun than the resolute, black on black and drab hero. This book feels like a bit of throwback to that time.
Secret Files #2 follows the same path as the previous issue; it’s an anthology piece with a number of stories, this time helping add a level of history to the current City of Bane storyline running in Batman at the moment. With City of Bane being a tie-in to the Year of Villain, this is then a tie-tie-in. As it’s an anthology, here are the runners and riders:
“If The Suit Fits”, (w) Andy Kubert, (a) Amancay Nahuelpan, (c) Trish Mulvihill, (let) Steve Wands
Following a trend set by more experienced writers, Andy Kubert starts things of with a Joker story. The setup feels very Batman: The Animated Series in places, which isn’t really a bad thing. Kubert’s Joker may not be the most original nor seemingly dangerous, with his focus squarely set on Batman. The gag runs well through the story, with some really genuinely funny parts. I am a huge Amancay Nahuelpan fan from his work on a range of indie books for Black Mask. In the past, his mature style art may have been overlooked by a Big Two publisher. Yet here he is, again, delivering a strong outing that would surely grace a monthly book. Nahuelpan sets the scene well, with strong panel design along with pencil work that mirrors a recognised Batworld. Trish Mulvihill’s colors are re-splendid in their darkness. Steve Wand polishes of a strong first chapter with a range of fonts.
Overall: 4 Stars
“He Helps US”, (w) Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing, (a) Carlos D’Anda, (c) Luis Guerrero, (let) AndWorld Design
Next up is current villainous sidekick, Psycho Pirate. Now Psycho Pirate has been around as a player in the Batman Rebirth series, since early doors that Tom King has woven into the very fabric of Batman’s woes. Thing is, I have never been impressed by the character. Maybe it’s because there is a lack of quality telepaths in the DC Universe or maybe it’s because, at least here, no matter how strong Pirate is, he will always lose to Batman’s will power. The latter does make a mockery of having a super power in the first place. The art by Carlos D’Anda doesn’t carry the same wright as Nahuelpan’s; even the superhero pose seems staid. AndWorld Design do their usual fine job on letters.
Overall: 3 Stars
“Alone”, (w) Mairghread Scott, (a) Guiseppe Camuncoli, (i) Cam Smith, (c) Tomeu Morey, (let) Clayton Cowles
One of the more recent surprises in the world of the Bat, is how good Batgirl under Mairghread Scott was. Scott managed to wring darkness of out Batgirl, without actually diluting her hope. Here, Scott takes on the Riddler, who once again caught, gets to spend time with yet another new doctor from Arkahm. It’s a tale told of the past told in a way that allows the reader to follow along. As with the first story, there are nuances from other media; the Enigma machine from Arkham city makes an appearance. Story wise, its Riddler 101 to be honest, with Scott not really offering anything new. Still, it is always fun watching Edward engage who think that they are his superior. Guiseppe Camuncoli’s art is also pretty standard, though there are a couple of well executed action panels that help the pace of the story, given its verbosity. You know what you are going to get from Morey and Cowles and neither disappoint on this occasion.
Overall: 3.5 Stars
“Doctor of Psychiatric Medicine”, (w) Steve Orlando, (a) Eduardo Risso, (c) Dave Stewart, (let) John Workman
The penultimate story is a strange one, to say the least. Steve Orlando takes a trip on the surreal with an exploration of Hugo Strange’s own obsession with Batman. Looking at the book as whole, this probably the most original and maybe impactful of the lot. A cadre of Batmen are held prisoner; to escape all they need to do is say those immortal words “I’m Batman!” Orlando takes Strange’s obsession to another level, whilst also paying tribute to the most classic of Strange’s foibles. Adding to the surrealism is the art of Eduardo Risso whose heavy lines and almost caricature crazy cartoon style is effective to say the least. Dave Stewart, who has been fantastic for so long on Dark Horse books, has started to appear on DC. On some books, he may need to ensure brand styles, but with this book, he gets to play in the almost macabre that he is used to from the Mignola verse. John Workman’s uses a font style that feels heavy compared to the clean style used by Cowles in the previous story.
Overall: 5 Stars
“Alethephobia”, (w) Tim Seeley, (a) Patrick Gleason, (c) John Kalisz, (let) Tom Napolitano
Finally, the master hand behind Batman’s troubles, Bane, is featured in the last story. From the out shot there is a bit of a flashback, for a reason I am not sure – surely when it comes to Bane you cannot get better than the original Vengeance of Bane book? Still Tim Seeley, tipped by some to be replacing Tom King on Batman, does the best he can, though it does feel that he is writing with one hand tied behind his back, stuck between the past and the current City of Bane story. In fact, whilst Bane may be as used as Joker, he is uniformly more basic than the Clown Prince. This gives most of his stories a “been there, done that feel”. Patrick Gleason has spent time with Batman in the past. Here he seemingly forgoes nuance for out and out big bold work. This may be a stylistic choice, to emphasise the power of a venom enhanced Bane, but it detracts from what can be relatively thin clean lines. John Kaliz colors work well throughout, uses hues as much as standard colors, with Tom Napolitano adding his skill to the lettering, the choices of some of the colors for the text boxes add to the visual of who is speaking.
Overall; 3.5 Stars
Batman Secret Files #2 two feels like a tie-in book for reader who may not have been around for a while, serving perhaps those who have only just recently jumped on to Batman. For the log time reader, there is the stylishly taken route and the not quite comparable quirky which can show just how different Batman, and his infamous rogues can be.
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Andy Kubert, Tim Seeley, Steve Orlando, Mairghread Scott, Collin Kelly, Jackson LanzingÂ
Art by; Eduardo Risso, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Carlos D’Anda, Amancay Nahuelpan, Patrick Gleason and Cam Smith
Colors by; Trish Mulvihill, JohnKalisz, Dave Stewart, Tomeu Moreu, Luis Guerrero
Letters by; AndWorld Design, John Workman, Tom Napolitano, Clayton Cowles, Steve Wands
Published by; DC Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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