[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Scott Snyder & Steve Orlando
Artist: Riley Rossmo & Ivan Plascencia
Summary
What happens when a being of pure, honest, killing intent comes to Gotham looking to take lives? It’s not easy to draw out the best and brightest in a place like Gotham. Well, The Stag has found it’s way to a like-minded creature, The Joker, in hopes of killing the Bat.
What will the Joker think of such a creature entering Gotham and hunting his prey? Will Joker trust the Stag, or should the Stag be worried about being betrayed by Gotham’s most psychotic clown?
Positives
From start to finish, this issue is intense. It contains two long sequences which are awesome! The first between Batman, The Stag, and Joker which quickly devolves into punching, kicking and a little stabbing. The second between Alfred and The Shadow where we get to learn a little more about the butler’s military past.
Both sequences are incredible and make the characters, as well as the reader, question what they know about Bruce and how it is that he really became the Dark Knight.
I must commend Riley Rossmo and Ivan Plascencia for a gorgeous book as well. The choice to use light, almost pastel, colors gives this issue a childish and light look. Combining that with the unique and almost cartoon-like drawing style gives this issue, and specifically the Joker, a terrifying and nightmare type of look. The way that Rossmo illustrates the eyes popping open or the pupils shrinking or expanding looks fantastic!
The last thing I noticed was that every panel is rough, lines aren’t sharp, the colors bleed a little or don’t stay where they should. It suits the story and The Shadow completely, echoing how Batman is becoming unhinged and is unsure about everything as his world gets skewed.
Negatives
There are no negatives worth mentioning in this issue.
Verdict
Overall, this issue had a few awesome shots and some great tension built up throughout. I look forward to seeing what kind of craziness the Stag can get up to in Gotham next issue!
