Review: Batman: Black & White #6

Review: Batman: Black & White #6

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: See Graphic Below

Colors: See Graphic Below

Letters: See Graphic Below

Artist: See Graphic Below   

Reviewed by: Carl Bryan  

Summary

“Hey Mr. Hat… The Hill’s got a message for you.” – Michael and Nathan Rook

Batman: Black & White #6 – The final issue of the acclaimed return to Batman Black & White is here with a look at some of Gotham City’s most twisted and compelling souls as Batman: Black & White culminates.

The final issue of the acclaimed revival of Batman Black & White is here, and readers won’t want to miss this deep dive into the new horrors of Gotham and ordinary citizens inspired by Batman.

• Iconic Batman scribe Scott Snyder reunites with his All-Star Batman collaborator John Romita Jr. to tell the story of a man who has been documenting Batman’s history in Gotham for a very long time-and now, he has something to say about the Dark Knight’s legacy.

• Eisner Award nominee and the artist behind Batman: Universe and Future State: The Next Batman, Nick Derington writes and draws an epic tale introducing us to two gangs whose power struggle in Gotham has been going on longer than the history of the city itself.

• The acclaimed creative team behind Infinite Loop, Elsa Charretier and Pierrick Colinet, team up once more for their DC Comics writing debut with a frightening story of psychological horror and the Dark Knight!

• The fan-favorite co-creators of Rumble, writer John Arcudi and artist James Harren, spin a tale of Clayface and the evils lurking beneath the surface of the stories we love the most.

• The powerhouse creative team of writer Brandon Thomas and artist Khary Randolph tell a story about one of Gotham’s most impoverished neighborhoods, and how it ends up being exploited by villains like the Mad Hatter!

Positives

Brandon Thomas and artist Khary Randolph star this issue out with a celebration of equity and diversity…defending one’s turf and a concern over a teacher missing.  Students doing what is right and telling (aka making their own bat signal to alert Batman) to let him know that there is a problem and we need some help. 

I loved the fact that this story shone a light on the effect that teachers have on their students and how if something is amiss in the life of a teacher, then these students cared enough to alert a higher authority to help.  Loved this story!

Elsa Charretier and Pierrick Colinet provide a story that features two iconic members of Batman’s Rogues Gallery…Man-Bat and Dr. Hugo Strange.  I love it that DC has inspired authors to take off some of the characters of the past and give them the light they deserve.  The fact that Hugo Strange is “reintroduced’ should be a foreshadow to get him back into the main timeline.

Positives 2.0

Nick Derington writes and draws an epic tale introducing us to two gangs whose power struggle in Gotham has been going on longer than the history of the city itself.  Scott Snyder instituted this type of story when he introduced the Court of Owls.  To have more light shed on the history of Gotham (Why is this place so crime ridden?) is a great story for Black and White!  What a more fitting way to celebrate Black and White….characters on a chess board!

Writer John Arcudi and artist James Harren spin a tale of Clayface….there are two haunting elements in this story.  First is Batman’s circled eyes.  Second is the line “For the Zeroes”.  It will make sense when you read it.  

John Romita Jr. tells the story of a man who has been documenting Batman’s history in Gotham for a very long time-and  he has something to say about the Dark Knight’s legacy. What a great tribute piece!

Negatives  

This is a HUGE Negative!  It is the last issue in the series!  I feel there are so many more stories to be told. 

Verdict

This format worked so well for Batman .  I have been advocating for Wonder Woman to receive similar treatment in a Gold and Red version, or perhaps Green Lantern with a Green and White.  So many heroes and so many stories!  This series has been wonderful.  Get all six issues as you will not be disappointed.