“Nightmare in Gotham”
Writer: Roberto Recchioni
Artists: Gigi Cavenago and Werther Dell’Edera
Color Artists: Giovanna Niro and Laura Ciondolini
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Review by Carl Bryan
In Batman/Dylan Dog #3, the Joker’s not happy with the new “friend” he “made”, therefore, he hires Dylan Dog, with his special skill set, to hunt down Christopher Killex.
Fresh from a trip to Hell, Dylan and Batman are faced with the ultimate dilemma; get help from the Joker, or do this on their own. The enemy of my enemy is my friend!
I investigate Monsters!”
– Dylan Dog.
“In that case, welcome to Gotham City”
– James Gordon”
Gruesome
Roberto Recchioni and artists Gigi Cavenago and Werther Dell’Edera don’t play around in this issue, particularly in the way they depict the graphic display of what Christopher Killex can do. If he can out-violence the Joker, then this is a tour de force of a villain who should remain in Batman’s Rogues Gallery.
However, this is a Dylan Dog tale as much as it is Batman’s, and Dylan has certainly been instrumental in bringing, not only the supernatural but the dark alleys together.
Recchioni has taken something that was purely Italian and made it part of the Gotham Fabric. Well done! The writer delves into some of the idiosyncrasies of both The Joker and Batman. From the rooftops to the cells in Arkham, and back to the Batcave, Dylan Dog’s not shocked by anything. This series is as much trying to familiarize fans with Batman as it is with Dylan. I give a tip of the cap to Recchioni for marrying both reading audiences!
The Joker’s Ego
When did Dr. Frankenstein become jealous of his monster? Sorry, that’s more of a Riddler reference. However, the Joker is not happy with Killex and I love his explanation.
Do I commit heinous acts? Yes…but I do them with passion, like a human being. Killex on the other hand, he’s…empty and there is nothing worse than emptiness!”
Great writing!
That’s a Wrap!
I won’t reveal the ending, as this is the final issue, however, I do appreciate the irony and Recchioni’s twist on the story. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!” Ain’t that the truth!
Conclusion
Batman/Dylan Dog #3 makes a considerable jump out of Hell and… goes to Gotham, which is arguably DC’s Hell on Earth! There are elements of this story that will remind one of the Spawn/Batman team-up, and Crime Alley reeks of that! However, given that it is a three-issue story arc and that we do get a new villain out of the mix, that Batman gets to mix it up with, I’d say as Batman fans, we got a win/win out of it!
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment
