“Wild Animals”
Artists: Brian Level, Jay Leisten, and Anthony Fowler, Jr.
Color Artists: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Steve Wands
Review by Matthew B. Lloyd
The first thing that stands out about Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf in Gotham #6 is the interesting layouts.
The first few pages feature Batman and Bigby on a roof and there are details in the outer panels that show other aspects of the action that’s transpiring. It’s very well-executed and provides an engaging approach to the storytelling.
Later in the issue, there’s a page that utilizes a number of smaller panels. There are more pages with exciting panel shapes and page layouts that vary the storytelling. It’s an excellent example of how an artist can utilize these elements creatively.
Last issue, we got the revelation that Bookworm wasn’t really Bookworm at all, so it’s no surprise then to find out that Mrs. Stacks, his assistant isn’t really who she appears to be either. The reveal that Mrs. Stacks is really (REDACTED) is brilliant and fits wonderfully in the parameters of the concept of Fables and warms the heart of the English Major. It’s also perfectly in keeping with the Fables concept that after all of Bigby and Batman’s hard work Cinderella (Cindy) delivers the coup de grace to the possessed Bookworm.
A Wolf In Gotham
My one criticism of this issue, and it’s difficult to put my finger on it, is that it feels like the denouement’s missing some detail that would make this series end a little more Fables-y. It’s hard to say what it is despite the fact that there are plenty of elements that are earmarks of Fables. It’s something subtle that’s related to the fact that, despite the fun of this series, it’s hard to merge Batman into the world of Fables without some growing pains.
I wonder if this series would’ve benefited from a second Batman, the Batman of the regular DCU who would’ve tied everything up, giving the reader the familiar version to contrast with the Fables version.
Conclusion
Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf in Gotham #6 finishes up this Fables mini-series in fine fashion. We get some very interesting storytelling from the art team and details that remind the reader why Fables was (is) such a good series. This certainly whets the appetite for the return of Fables in May!
This has been a fun story that showed there’s potential for more crossovers with traditional DC Universe concepts.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment