Comic Book Review – Batman #684
Context
Whether you are a Grant Morrison hater or lover, you have to be a little irritated with the end of Batman R.I.P. With the payoff seemingly moved from the end of the story arc to DC’s current event, Final Crisis, the Batman title shuffles forward in the limbo that is Last Rights. What we get however is an excellent effort in the light of this unusual circumstance.
Story
Comics legend Denny O’Neil (Green Lantern/Green Arrow, Batman) returns to write this issue of Batman. The story itself is straightforward. Nightwing works alone in a Gotham that is apparently without a Batman. The case itself is standard fair but it is highlighted by a few interesting turns.
We see an interesting take on an old classic. When Nightwing responds to Gordon’s Bat signal, Gordon is less than enthused about the form in which his help arrives. I know Gordon and Bats have a special relationship but he is especially underwhelmed here. I am not sure if this is O’Neil’s doing or if we are setting the stage for a new kind of relationship between Dick and Gordon.
O’Neil characterizes Dick throughout the story as someone living squarely in the shadow of his mentor. He makes mistakes, he doesn’t know how to handle them and he wonders how he can live up to Bruce’s example. Considering how far some of his Titan colleagues have come (Wally and Roy most notably) it is a shame to see Nightwing dealing with issues like this at this point in his career. I have to chalk this up to either a need to regress Nightwing for the purposes of what is to come or the simple fact that Dick’s mentor is Batman – quite possibly the toughest act to follow in comics.
Art
This is my first exposure to the art of Guillem March and I have to say that I am excited to see more. His look is reminiscent of Lee Weeks (Daredevil, The Incredible Hulk). His action is fluid. There are a few panels that actually felt removed from anime. All they needed was a moving background.
On the surface the art didn’t blow me away but it was a book that kept me coming back to look at the art again. There are a few awkward figures or body parts here and there but I think that March has a great foundation on which to build. Check out a squinting Nightwing in the Bat Cave or his expressive hands in a scene between Dick and Alfred.
What to look for
What is the future of Millicent Mayne?
What might put you off
The very last panel is very odd. It comes off a little brooding/poetic and out of place.
Recommendation
This issue was a great pickup due to O’Neil’s work and the chance to see the beginnings of what should be a good art career. I would still pick this up issue by issue until we get a resolution on Batman’s status.
Credits
| Title | Batman |
| Issue Number | 684 |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| Release Date | 1/2/2009 |
| Writer | Denny O’Neil |
| Art | Guillem March |
| Letterer | Chris Eliopoulos |
| Assistant Editor | Janelle Siegel |
| Editor | Mike Marts |
| Cover | Alex Ross |
| Reviewed By | Geoff Jolliff |
Related posts:
- Comic book review- Batman: Battle for the Cowl #1
- Comic Book Review- Batman Cacophony #3 of 3
- Comic Book Review – BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL – THE UNDERGROUND
- Comic Book Review – Batman Confidential #26
- Comic Book Review – Outsiders #15
