|
BATMAN/DEATHBLOW: AFTER THE FIRE #2
Mildly Recommended (6/10)
|
DC Comics/Wildstorm Productions
Writer: Brian Azzarello
Pencils: Lee Bermejo
Inks: Tim Bradstreet, Richard Friend & Lee Bermejo
Colors: Grant Goleash
Letters: Todd Klein
Editor: John Layman
Price: $5.95 US/$9.95 CAN |
As this limited series progresses, the art stands out as its greatest strength and the source of storytelling problems. Azzarello continues his split storytelling approach, peppering flashbacks into the script, but there aren't enough cues to let the reader know when those flashbacks are coming into play. Nevertheless, the dark, moody quality of the visuals, along with intensity of character in the script, makes for an entertaining read.
Thanks to an ever-so convenient backdoor into the databanks of International Operations, the Batman has managed to discover why his friend Scott was incinerated. He and Deathblow failed in a mission to take out a terrorist named Falcon years ago, and his pyrokinetic assassin is evening the score on his behalf. The Batman and Deathblow pursue the firestarter using their own methods, but the former is looking for Deathblow as well, enraged with the presence of any assassins in his city.
Bermejo's vision of the Batman is intimidating and powerful. But more importantly, it's thoroughly believable. His Batman looks real. The mask and cape are realistically detailed, but the character's intensity shines in his eyes. Yes, we can see the Batman's eyes in costume in this story, and it works well in the context of the artist's convincing visuals. Goleash's colors really bring out the foreboding, tense mood in the story as well; his muted, dark colors remind me of the strength of Matt (Daredevil, Catwoman) Hollingsworth's work.
Bermejo manages to pack a lot of detail on each page... maybe a bit too much. The action doesn't flow as smoothly as I'd like, and a couple of characters are difficult to distinguish. I didn't pick up on any visual cues to indicate when the story was in flashback mode either. It made for a confusing read at times.
While Azzarello's story captures the extreme nature of both title characters, the notion of Batman chasing down international agents in his city is hardly a new one. This series is shaping up to be an eye-candy book at its heart, which is OK. But at prestige-format prices, I'm looking for more in the way of plot, dialogue and clarity.
Email Don MacPherson comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board.
|
