Chaos in Gotham as a masked figure is shooting into the crowd at the film premiere. While Batman is chasing the suspect, it could be a bird or a plane, or something more that is saving reporter Lois Lane. As the two heroes intertwine tales in Gotham City, the great terror has only just begun as Scarecrow is set to unleash his fear toxin upon the city.
Creative Team: Dan Jurgens (WRITER), Mike Perkins (ART and COVER), Mike Spicer (COLORS), and Simon Bowland (LETTERS).
The Story:
This may just be the closest thing to a horror film starring Batman and Superman that we will ever get, and Dan is dealing! Scarecrow has long been my favorite villain and one I feel underutilized, and so it brings me a lot of joy to watch Dan make him the focal point of this run. Taking things back and bringing his story into The Great War adds depth to the horror that is unfolding. This time period is a masterpiece put together and works well for what is going on. This is also not a usual tale of Batman and Superman meeting, either, which I appreciate as it culminates in an incredible cliffhanger.
The Art and Letters:
Perkins and Spicer were an excellent art choice for the time period that we are exploring in this issue. Artistically, some elements stand out from this book, and I really fell in love with them. We don’t ever see Batman having a relationship where she knows full well who and what he is, and there is a scene in front of his suit that stood out in a haunting and poetic way through the art. The duo, along with Simon, capture the horror aspects, especially of World War I, which is something I feel is not talked about enough in the media. They captured the grimy and horrific details of a trench and the gases, along with what the troops had to face in those elements. There were periods when it became almost suffocating as the reader was bombarded with the details and how they transported us into this environment.
Final Thoughts:
The Bat-Man Second Knight #2 is a haunting book full of horror elements and stand-out moments featuring Batman and Superman alike. Dan’s creating a dark story with the help of Simon and both Mikes that feels grimy and grim, and yet we cannot look away. This book is a welcome change of pace for Batman, and you need to be reading it!!
Overall Grade: 10/10
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