“Echoes” – Chapter Four
Writer: Sam Hamm
Artist: Joe Quinones
Color Artist: Leonardo Ito
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
Review by Eric Lee
Minor Spoilers Ahead!
Batman ’89: Echoes #4 finally amps up the action and plot, while still being a very slowly paced story.
Slow Pacing
Similar to my other critiques of the past issues, number four is still a methodically paced comic. It is also sorely in need of some on-screen Batman action. Fortunately, writer Sam Hamm delivers on those fronts. Issue four is pushing a bunch of lingering plot threads to their climax points. He does a fairly good job of bringing them together too. But since there are so many plots and not enough space, it does make some of the narrative advancements feel sudden and halting. And the way the different story lines interlace are not 100% cohesive either. Like, Hamm’s inclusion of Harley Quinn’s role in Scarecrow’s plans feels a little clunky and contrived.
Surprisingly, Hamm also finds the time to start a couple of new plot threads! It may seem unwise to start some new plot threads halfway through this series, but we’ll hold full judgment until the series is finished. But some readers might find it confusing to track so many moving pieces.
Hamm does make use of the other Arkham Asylum inmates. It continues to showcase some other Bat-villains in the ’89 fashion.
The ’89 Aesthetic
Speaking of ’89 design aesthetics, artist Joe Quinones is easily the main draw of the book. He continues to fill out the Batman ’89 world with redesigned characters and locals. He even throws in very obscure Batman ’89 easter eggs for the die-hard fans. His art is a labor of love for the Tim Burton Batman films and it shows on every gorgeous page.
Conclusion
While the series is highly unusual in its pacing and seems to really be holding back showing Batman on-screen, it is still a fun treat to read. Quinones’ pages look amazing and Hamm does craft a compelling narrative now that the pieces are in place. Batman ’89: Echoes #4 is an overstuffed gothic Batman adventure that may intrigue some readers or bore more impatient ones.
All images are courtesy of DC Entertainment.