A mystery shrouds Gotham with a the death of colonies of bats. This affects the “rat with wings” in the city, the zoo and reaches as far as the Batcave, which runs the risk of just being called cave! Still, as cryptic messages go, the bat deaths certainly lacks any subtly, yet Batman heads out to investigate with a Langstrom along for the ride, only to be confronted by a lack of shadows and a rout of knights all serving as the prelude to the main threat, teased at the end of #1000.
Peter J. Tomasi finally delivers something that doesn’t feel like filler material. The last story line; a mental test taken yearly screamed “don’t rock the boat before #1000”, which does feel a little insulting to long time readers. Here at least, with the advent of a comic book version of the Arkham Knight, we get a character that exudes threat and menace to the normally well controlled world of Batman. For most of the issue Batman is on the back foot. I don’t mind this so much as bat-god can get a little boring. Tomasi’s Batman takes a logical approach and it is good to see the Dark Knight actually detecting for a change. Tomasi also goes someway to show that there is an extended villain cast in Gotham and not everything has to involve the Joker. The dialogue works well for the most part, though I did feel that the conversation between Bruce and Alfred seemed a little bit too forced; not everything that comes out of Alfred’s mouth needs to be sardonic or sarcastic. Finally, a quick word on continuity, I am not sure where this fits mainly because Batman is hardly on speaking terms with Commissioner Gordon, yet here they do seem chummy.
Brad Walker provides the pencils for the book, delivering a cartoony style that has the merest touch of Graham Nolan influences. Walker’s art is engaging enough, in both the conversation and action pieces. Looking at the conversation pieces first, I assume that the hardest part would be to keep the faces similar enough through the various panels and camera angles. Walker does extremely well to counter what may be a natural aversion to strict character rules, especially in the cave sequence. The action scenes also carry a range of energy about them, moving the reader through the panels at a fair clip. The only major critique of the art I would have is I wish Walker would decide what Batman is wearing. In some instances, his cowl appears to be a standard cowl and in others, it bears a resemblance of something from either Batman ’89 or Batman Begins. Is it a cowl or is it sturdier? I don’t really mind which, but please pick one and stick with it! Andrew Hennessy provides the inks which helps delineate Walkers pencils. Nathan Fairbairn’s color’s carry a dark menace to them throughout, which is actually not diminished in any way once Gotham gets a lighter make over. Letterer Rob Leigh’s doesn’t let the weight of script slow down any of the storytelling.
With the idea of bringing in the Arkham Knight, I am sure that there are many fans who are intrigued where this story is going to go. Obviously, the Knight can’t be Jason Todd, who is currently Red Hood, the Knight of the video game with the same title. Additionally, it can’t be Azreal, who has been both a knight of Saint Dumas and the Dark Knight himself, the second before New 52 and Rebirth continuity at least. So, this could be a new player, building on facets of both characters. I do think that Tomasi is a better writer than that; is the death of the colonies of bats a metaphor for the death of the Colony itself, meaning the new Arkham Knight could be Colonel Kane, a semi regular villain for a while in the pages of Detective? Whomever it is, if Tomasi continues this pacy storytelling, coupled with Walker’s energetic art, I am sure this arc will be a fun ride.
Writing – 4.5 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 4.5 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Peter J. Tomasi
Art by; Brad Walker
Inks by Andrew Hennessy
Colors by; Nathan Fairbairn
Letters by; Rob Leigh
Published by; DC Comics
Author Profile
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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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