Batman #2 arrives on the scene with a stunning cover, but inside, it’s a beautifully drawn mess. The creative team of writer Matt Fraction, artist Jorge Jimenez, colorist Tomey Morey, and letterer Clayton Cowles definitely delivers on the visuals, but the story and dialogue are, well, a little confusing.
Let’s start with the undisputed highlight: the art. Seriously, Jimenez and Morey are absolutely killing it. The cover alone is stellar; Batman’s blue suit next to Robin’s classic red and yellow just screams cool and feels like a fresh new era for the Dynamic Duo.
Inside, Jimenez’s design for Robin (Tim Drake) is stellar, and the entire issue is fluid and dynamic. The panel where a shot Robin falls, his black silhouette against a blood-red title page, is super creative and a great visual moment. Throughout the book, gadgets such as the Bat-Bang and Bat-Boot are showcased with cool, descriptive visual explanations, which is a neat touch. Bottom line: if you’re picking this up for the artwork, you won’t be disappointed.
The story, however, is where things get weird. The issue opens with a strange flashback: Alfred and a complaining Damian Wayne are washing the Batmobile in broad daylight at Wayne Manor. This immediately requires a massive suspension of disbelief because that’s a surefire way to lose your secret identity. Then, there are those recurring scenes of Tim learning to drive a manual car, but the reason is not compelling. And the characterization, while Damian’s attitude is definitely in character, Bruce’s behavior borders on problematic. Did he really purposely throw Damian off a car just for a lesson? That just seems wrong.
The main action picks up where issue #1 left off: Robin is backed into a corner by cops in “The Slab” who are ready to shoot vigilantes on sight. After getting hit by a bullet, instead of taking him to a hospital, they toss an injured and handcuffed Tim into a GCPD paddy wagon with a dozen uncuffed, violent gangbangers.
The ensuing action scene is fantastic. Tim, severely injured and cuffed, is giving these guys the business. It’s dynamic, and when he finally breaks free, letterer Clayton Cowles nails the impact of that big breakaway moment. Tim really has to use everything the Dark Knight taught him to survive, and this is the best part of the issue.
The biggest curveball, though, comes when Batman arrives to save Robin. In a bizarre sequence, the two cops start turning against each other, Batman gets shot in the head, and then he says he “might throw up.” What is this dialogue? Batman’s lines throughout the book feel off. It’s like reading a strangely beautiful fan fiction rather than a mainline comic. Nobody seems to be on their A-game, and it’s only issue #2!
The issue wraps with another strange moment. Batman now needs saving after trying to save Robin. They call the Batmobile, which is manual drive (tying back to the cold open) and has a ridiculous 13th gear shift. Batman explains that these are “quantum” and “secret” gears for crises. They drive off, only for Vandal Savage to show up and declare the Dynamic Duo public enemy #1.
Batman #2 is a genuine mixed bag. The art by Jorge Jimenez is absolutely killer and worth the price of admission. However, the plot is full of strange, non-sequitur scenes, and the dialogue for the main character just doesn’t make sense. It’s a comic that looks amazing, but leaves you scratching your head, hoping that the next issue brings the story and the Caped Crusader back to earth.
‘Batman’ #2 Review: Holy Head-Scratchers, Batman!
Batman #2 is a genuine mixed bag. The art by Jorge Jimenez is absolutely killer and worth the price of admission. However, the plot is full of strange, non-sequitur scenes, and the dialogue for the main character just doesn’t make sense. It’s a comic that looks amazing, but leaves you scratching your head, hoping that the next issue brings the story and the Caped Crusader back to earth.
