BATMAN #599
"From the Inside-Out"
Recommended (8/10)
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Marvel Comics
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Pencils: Scott McDaniel
Inks: Andy Owens
Colors: Roberta Tewes & Wildstorm FX
Letters: John Costanza
Editor: Bob Schreck
Price: $2.25 US/$3.75 CAN |
The "Bruce Wayne: Murderer?" crossover storyline continues to impress. Each chapter has been surprisingly accessible, but even more important is how each writer is not just servicing the plot, but character as well. McDaniel and the other artists capture the stark nature of prison life nicely. Though I was initially concerned that sales were the primary goal with this plotline, it seems the creators' passion for storytelling is as high a priority as well.
Denied bail on a first-degree murder charge, Bruce Wayne sits in prison, feeling powerless in the face of corruption and cruelty. The corruption extends beyond the prison's walls, as the media delves into his past and hypothetical psyche to convict him of the crime long before he gets his day in court. Alfred pays him a visit in prison, while the district attorney keeps hammering away Sasha Bordeaux, offering her a deal.
McDaniel's exaggerated style brings the contained chaos of prison to life. He also shows us the tension Bruce is experiencing. Every muscle is flexed, desperate to have its power unleashed. McDaniel and Owens seem to be meshing better together as an art team now as well. Tewes reinforces the dark and dreary nature of prison routine with her greys and dull blues.
One might think that Brubaker's depiction of a bloodthirsty media might not sit well with a reporter like me, but one has to admit that it certainly captures sensationalist journalism perfectly. I also found I enjoyed the frustration and rage of the district attorney, who just can't figure out why Sasha won't play ball. Everything she's learned about her job and the people she prosecutes tells her that her proposal should work, but there's one key piece of information to which she doesn't have access. Fortunately, the reader does.
This story isn't about a murder, and it's not about the justice system. It's an examination of the dual personae of the Dark Knight, and how the face of Bruce Wayne, which has so often made the Batman's mission easier with its wealth and influence, has suddenly become a liability. It makes for interesting reading and unusual but intriguing characterization.
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