[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers.]
Writer: Scott Snyder
Penciller: John Romita, Jr.
Inkers: Danny Miki, Tom Palmer, Sandra Hope, Richard Friend
Reviewed By: Derek McNeil
Summary
Penguin, the Beast, Black Mask, and Great White find themselves caught between an attacking crowd and their targets: Batman and Two-Face (and Duke Thomas).
Positives
Well, this first story arc has been quite the ride. I don’t mind the revisionist history adding in a childhood friendship between Bruce and Harvey, as it adds to the connection between the characters, and shows the underlying similarity of the two characters.
I also like the idea that Batman has fail-safes to make sure that people don’t accidentally find the passage into the Batcave, and it makes sense that there would be contingencies that even Alfred is unaware of, in case he is ever tricked or forced into revealing the passage.
Negatives
Now, I am not quite sure that I understand the difference that the “cure” had caused in the way that Harvey and Two-Face interact. I had thought they already struggled for control with one or the other gaining temporary control. How is one having to fight harder than the other different from this? Perhaps future stories will clarify this further.
Verdict
It was a hell of a ride, and an interesting examination of the relationship between Batman and Two-Face. It also was interesting to see a Batman road trip story rather than the typical tale set wholly in Gotham.
