Friday March 13, 2009
The end once again
Worlds of Wonder by KALEON RAHAN
Batman # 686 (DC / US$3.99)
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artists: Andy Kubert and Scott Williams
After two false alarms you would have thought that the powers-that-be at DC would have given up on “killing” Batman. Well, not yet and probably believing that third time’s the charm, they have now got Neil Gaiman to finish the job!
The recent treatment of Batman based on events in Batman RIP and Final Crisis can best be sum up by one word – “guano”. Truth and fact is Bruce Wayne no longer exists in present continuity and it will take loads of story arcs (unless Metron decides to make a pit stop at the dawn of time) to return him to present day Gotham City. Hence, explaining the logic to end the Dark Knight’s two ongoing series – Batman and Detective Comics, after having spanned seven decades.
Taking a cue from Alan Moore’s last Superman story @ “Whatever happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” (Action Comics # 583 and Superman # 423), which was released in 1985, Gaiman has been entrusted to do a last Batman story. Stretching the Dark Knight’s demise into two issues (this one and Detective Comics # 853), Gaiman’s alternative storytelling smarts (ala his Vertigo-experience and Marvel 1602) make sufficient credentials in ensuring that we get a worthy swansong.
Reflecting on past and possible “the end” scenarios for the Dark Knight, we had Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns and the animated Batman Beyond. With both featuring Wayne in his twilight years, Gaiman’s take here drastically departs from them while paying homage to the building blocks (or the individuals) that helped to define Gotham’s greatest crimefighter.
A perfect ending for a perfect hero requires a perfect script and a perfect excuse. Notwithstanding that Wayne is, at the moment, lost in time. That makes the script a bit more complex. Here’s where Gaiman toys with the idea of a “whodunnit?” setting, with the Batman clearly “done” by the sixth page! While the norm in such a tale would be on the “how” factor, the twist here is that we have a few self-confessed murderers equipped with their respective recaps of the murder event.
The honour of delivering the first eulogy goes to Selina Kyle @ Catwoman, who confesses to killing the Batman in the same pattern as “Robin Hood’s death.” Dubbed as The Cat-Woman’s Tale, this sub-tale cheekily mutates the Cat-Bat relationship with Kyle opting to go straight and to run a pet shop. While the following years are risk-free ones for her, the toll of waiting for the Batman gradually stresses her up. Hence, when the opportunity for a reunion arises in the form of a critically wounded Batman – and Kyle does what any normal jilted lover would do!
If you find Kyle’s disillusioned tale chilling, Alfred’s The Gentlemen’s Gentlemen’s (yup twice) Tale is worthy of a Hitchcock slot. Yes, the Butler did it! And this story presents a never before seen dark version of Alfred (and in case you are wondering – no, he’s not Wayne’s dad).
Realising that his master Bruce (Wayne) is emotionally fragile, Alfred gets his thespian friends to orchestrate a few crimes. While this boosts Batman’s confidence, it also increases the toll on Alfred and his friends’ creativity and sanity.
It would have been a show-stopper to see the Dark Knight’s role reduced to a coffin appearance in his last story. Fortunately, Gaiman pleases and teases by having our hero assume a narrative role. Overlooking the events at his own funeral, Batman is equally perplexed with his own death plus the roles assumed by his closed ones. A nice addition here is the presence of Joe Chill – the crook who gunned down Wayne’s parents.
While I reserve my compliments on this story arc until I read Detective # 853, it’s safe to say that the artwork is brilliant and respectful of Batman’s past influences (Dick Sprang, Bob Kane, etc). Kubert’s recent Batman stint has certainly familiarised him with the Bat-family and the inking support from Scott Williams (Jim Lee’s regular sidekick) makes every panel worth a second look.
RIP Batman ... for the umpteenth time!
Dark Avengers # 2
(Marvel / US$3.99)
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Mike Deodato
To quote Stan Lee, “Bring on the bad guys!” Only problem is which one? This issue smacks of badness in every panel. Having charmed the media in the last issue, Osborne’s Avengers team now embark on their first mission and it involves saving (seriously!) Victor Von Doom from Morgana Le Fay’s wrath!
If you thought hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, try imagining how a scorned witch would react. Anyway, the rivalry between the Latverian Monarch and the Sorceress is legendary and to see Doom reduced to apprentice magician level is indeed a rare sight.
Thor # 600 (Marvel / US$4.99)
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Artists: Olivier Coipel and Marko Djurdjevic
After six centuries worth of issues (518 to be exact if you consider Journey into Mystery # 83 as Thor’s first appearance), you don’t need to be an immortal to see through Loki’s lies and treachery. But unfortunately immortality does not come together with intelligence.
Having stamped his mark in reaffirming his origins, Loki messes around with the past once more by resurrecting his grandfather – Bor. With a family reunion the last thing on his mind, Loki casts a spell over Bor’s appearance – making him see demons in everyone and vice versa. Hence, when Thor (and the Dark Avengers) enter the fray, all hell breaks loose!
While we are venturing down familiar “Thor v Loki” territory, the main difference here is the entertainment value – script and artwise. Straczynski is doing what Simonson does best, namely inculcating Norse mythology in modern storytelling. As for Coipel and Djurdjevic, their contrasting styles certainly add more dimensions to the tale.
> Comics courtesy of Earth 638 (Lot 2.13J, 2nd Floor, Atria Shopping Centre, Jalan SS22/23, Damansara Jaya in Selangor). Hotline: 03-7729 6380, e-mail: (earth638@streamyx.com)
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