Synopsis: When Batman goes undercover in Arkham Manor, we learn just how important inmate Jack Shaw is to his mission.
We go back inside Arkham Manor for another round of insanity. Although issue #2 wasn’t as much of a rush as the debut, it’s still a solid entry and worth your $2.99.
As we saw at the end of last issue, Batman ditches alter ego Matches Malone and goes undercover as Jack Shaw. He fits in nicely with the others, as we see in a great group therapy session, and then he moves on to painting (occupational therapy). It’s here that a newcomer is wheeled in, and it hits the fan, ending with a creepy yet exciting frame.
I didn’t think this book could work. It seemed like DC needed more Bat-books with the Dark Knight himself starring in them and were cashing in on the hero’s popularity. While that’s true, and I’m happy about it (I mean a Bat-book starring Batwing, really?!) I just didn’t care about the setup. Wayne Manor is given to Arkham? Psh…yet I still bought the first issue, read it immediately (twice), and loved it. It’s an interesting premise that is off to a great start with just two issues.
The strengths lie in obviously the writing and art… which must complement each other for a book to work. That is clearly the case here. Writer Gerry Duggan has created a mystery, wrapped in horror, and tied inside a straightjacket. We aren’t getting Batman in this story, per se, but we’re getting a version of Bruce Wayne that is captivating, intriguing and realistic. Bruce Wayne is making mistakes in this story! Those mistakes are also drawn to perfection by Shawn Crystal, who is busting out dark pages after dark pages, with sketchy artwork in every panel. His eerie style works well with Duggan’s words. That’s how you make a hit.
It’s hard to say where this story will end up, seeing as we are only on issue #2, but I’ve strapped myself in to Arkham Manor, and I hope you’ll be right there with me in the cell next door.
Rating: 8/10