But there are moments, strong moments, where O'Neil tests the limits of Batman's commitment to his crusade. The premise is stronger than the actual writing. Venom is one of those stories that is a struggle to rank. It's a look at a side of Batman we rarely see. Of course, it's highly addictive and the always-in-control hero loses his grip, nearly assassinating Jim Gordon just to get his fix. Distraught, the Dark Knight finds a new alternative to strength training - a little pill that triples his strength. And Batman isn't strong enough to save her. Venom opens with one of the biggest failures in Batman's career. There's a methodology and a purposefulness to many of his actions. His psychosis is not chaotic, not as random as you might think. And that's ultimately what makes the Joker so frightening. To my knowledge this is the only story to ever suggest that, like Bruce Wayne, the Joker had to practice to perfect his art. He manages to bring some of that noir flair to The Man Who Laughs while maintaining the proper tone and pace for a good Batman yarn. Where Alan Moore's The Killing Joke tells the origin of the Clown Prince of Crime, The Man Who Laughs details the first tussle between Joker and Batman.īrubaker is one of the best crime writers in comics. This is Batman's introduction to his most nefarious villain, the Joker. Batman: The Man Who LaughsĪ mad man is targeting Gotham's elite and next on his hit list is millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne. It's a book that also benefits mightily from the dynamic art of Doom Patrol artist Nick Derington. Universe is a zany romp that spans the full scope of the DCU and shares as much in common with the classic Silver Age comics as it does contemporary Batman fare. In a world where so many Batman storytellers seem intent on outdoing each other in terms of darkness and violence, it's refreshing to have a comic that celebrates the lighter side of the Caped Crusader. Sometimes surprises can be a great thing. But anyone who expected Bendis to return to the type of gritty crime drama that defined his early comics career was probably shocked by the contents of Batman Universe. When Marvel Comics mainstay Brian Michael Bendis made the jump to DC in 2019, it was inevitable he'd write a Batman story. Batman UniverseĬreators: Brian Michael Bendis & Nick Derington It also features one of the most haunting endings you’ll find in any Batman comic. Though this book technically serves as a piece of a much larger crossover, it also reads perfectly well on its own. Knight of Vengeance showcases a darker, meaner Gotham City that plays perfectly to Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso’s storytelling strengths. The result is a vigilante who manages to top even Bruce Wayne in the brooding and scowling department. In this alternate timeline, Thomas Wayne became Batman after his son was murdered in front of him. But as it turns out, the best part of this massive crossover didn’t involve The Flash himself, but rather Batman. Flashpoint: Batman - Knight of VengeanceĬreators: Brian Azzarello & Eduardo Rissoįlashpoint marked a critical chapter in DC’s history, paving the way for the rebooted New 52 universe and everything else that followed. To date, Earth One has spawned two sequels, and we're hopeful Johns and Frank have at least one more volume planned that will focus on a certain Clown Prince of Crime. It’s a refreshing spin on the classic dynamic that lets us appreciate how Batman would adapt to a world with more realistic limitations. No longer a kindly butler, Alfred is an ex-MI-6 agent who, instead of serving him tea and tending to his wounds, beats the crap out of Bruce to teach him a lesson. The crucial element that makes this story work is the overhaul of Alfred Pennyworth’s character. Also, instead of being best buds with Jim Gordon, he winds up socking him in the face. It’s a modern retelling of Batman’s early years where he’s not an infallible master detective who moves like a shadow - a point driven home when, while chasing a crook over the city rooftops, his grappling gun malfunctions and he lands in a pile of trash below. If Batman: Year One were written today, it would be Batman: Earth One.
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