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Batman Dark Age #3:
Creative Team:
Mark Russell (Writer,)
Michael Allred (Artist,)
Laura Allred (Colorist,)
Dave Sharpe (Letterer.)
Publisher: DC Comics
An aging Bruce Wayne continues to remember the life he once had as he recollects his caped crusading days long forgotten.
Gotham City is a shell of the place Thomas Wayne built, and Bruce will need more than a mask to save it. Fellow costumed allies, wealth, and the ability to fight a war on two sides showcase the evolution of Batman as his myth grows in this action-packed third book.
The Art:
Do you know when you walk into an old-time comic story, and the books on the shelves for ages have that endearing smell? Michael and Laura craft their artwork within these pages, and as I took in every panel, I could smell this story.
Their work touched every sense, which is a testament to the power of these two artists. They have nailed the evolution of Batman’s costume as well as the early appearances of our fellow Justice League members.
It’s easy to forget that this is an ongoing book as they have crafted the style of silver-age comics to perfection.
The Writing:
Mark pulls us into the story as he takes us inside Bruce Wayne’s mind and explains how it works. He gives us in-depth details of how Bruce grows to understand the battle he is facing and how to “win” his war at home.
A standout in this issue was how bored Bruce seemed to be when dealing with fellow heroes such as The Flash, Superman, and Wonder Woman. They were saving the world on a grand scale, yet Bruce could only focus on Gotham. Understanding this fundamentally as this is who Bruce and Batman are at their core can sometimes be lost in bigger tales but, not this one.
Dave’s work on letters regarding introducing people such as Green Arrow was lettered in iconic fashion. He also was able to paint an inner voice for the reader as we read Batman’s inner thoughts in his grave and stoic tone.
Overall:
Going deep inside the mind of Batman/Bruce Wayne is also an instant win for me as a reader. This is Batman’s first big battle, and flashing forward to see how he is no longer the giant figure of Gotham he once was as we revisit his past is a gripping tale. The story also leaves us a bit of a cliffhanger in regards to a familiar faces origin story which I quite enjoyed.
10/10 Cigars.
This was a review by Matt from Hopsgeeknews. For more reviews and links to their podcast follow http://linktr.ee/hopsgeeknews
