BATMAN/GREEN ARROW/THE QUESTION ARCADIA #4: All Out War

It’s a fight for their lives and an all-out war as the walls are closing in all around our heroes and the escapees of Arcadia. If they wish to survive the incoming onslaught, they must resort to desperate measures, even if it means exposing their identities to the world.

Creative Team: Gabriel Hardman and Romulo Fajardo Jr.

SPOILERS AHEAD

The Story:

Wow, this was one incredible finale! The fog of war is a real thing, and in these desperate times, there must be desperate measures; Gabriel goes to extremes in this issue. Each hero sticks to their guns (or arrows or morals), and this is what really sets this story apart for me. Batman is so rooted in his ways that he refuses to go into action armed with anything but his fists and refuses to kill even if it means exposing his identity to the world. Compared to The Question, who repeats that he is a journalist and his job is to tell the story, and Ollie, who wants no part of anything if they survive, there is a character dynamic here that I would love to see more of.

It isn’t lost on anyone that Batman is selfish and refuses to do what needs to be done, which is both admirable but also foolish given the circumstances. Innocent lives are at stake, and Gabriel brings a lot of these issues to a head in such a beautiful and yet tragic way. It wraps up in a self-contained way; however, it left me wanting to see what’s next and wanting just a little bit more, which is a testament to a great story.

The Art:

Whether it’s the bright bursts of fiery explosion against a white snowy backdrop or seeing bullets rip through various characters, Gabriel has an extraordinary touch for detail and for the dramatic. There’s a sequence with Batman’s mask ripped, and there is a fierceness detailed across his face that stands out so vividly. I loved how finely tuned things were, as our heroes aren’t bulletproof. The stakes felt real, and the artistic ability to make you feel fear for everyone. There are character deaths that invoke so much emotion in the scenes with the shading and the torn flesh and clothes. I loved the rugged style of this issue, and this run as a whole.

Final Thoughts:

Batman/Green Arrow/The Question #4 wraps this story up in a satisfying manner while also leaving me wanting more with how it ended. I loved the character dynamic between these three, as they each brought a different philosophy to this battle. This four-issue run is worth the read and should be talked about far more!

Overall Grade: 9.5/10

What did you think of this issue? Let us know in the comments below, and check out more reviews by Matt!