[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: James Robinson
Artist: Carmine Di Giandomenico
Colors: Ivan Plascencia
Letters: Rob Leigh
Summary
There’s a new Dynamic Duo in Gotham City—introducing Batman and Two-Face! What the what?! The Dark Knight is forced to team with old friend and current enemy Harvey Dent to stop a Kobra-sponsored terrorist attack. Can Batman really trust his life to a coin flip? Even worse, Bats and Two-Face are of two minds over recruiting the two Fireflies for help—if Batman’s gonna work with so many villains, he may as well join the Legion of Doom.
Positives
Within the first few panels, we are dropped right into the middle of the action where Batman’s newest temporary allies join him in the middle of Gotham City Museum of Natural History. This is a rather ubiquitous scenario for a showdown, as it immediately draws comparisons, psychologically and philosophically, to the many major intricacies that exist between Batman and his rogues gallery. This is something unique to his character and is wholly different than the rest of the DC Universe as Gotham draws more real life parallels to cities like New York and Chicago, as do Batman and his many foes to real life historical figures throughout history, most notably Elliot Ness and Al Capone, akin to Batman and the Joker.
It is still taking some getting used to seeing Two-Face being controlled by Harvey Dent, as there is no other time I can remember reading any Batman book where this has happened. It explores the parallels the character possesses with the classic character of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, as we see how Dr. Jekyll would be in the world of Gotham. We also see the Bat Family return in the last few panels, as well as two outlier members of the new Outsiders that Batman will be starring with in a new comic, Black Lightning and Katana.
Within the last few panels the readers are brought back to the fact that although Batman is largely portrayed as a loner in the comics, cartoons, and the movies, he really is part of a larger network of heroes that protects the city of Gotham and the world.
Negatives
The artwork of Di Giandomenico is not as impressive as the other artists of recent. His style comes off gaudy to me. His style might grow on me, but this issue doesn’t impress. It makes me long for a different artist to take the reins.
Verdict
This issue gives quite a battle royale between the Bat Family and Kobra, one that exposes more about each character than one would expect from any fight scene. The story by Robinson is exciting and gives readers the fight they have been waiting for. The art by Di Giandomenico is serviceable at best, but right now is not aesthetically pleasing. Overall, an action-packed issue, that barely gives reader a chance to breathe
