I haven't been in a Batman "mood" for a while, and my disinterest in most of the Batman books of the moment has no small amount to do with that. However, recent developments like Frank Miller and Steve Englehart returning to the books have stoked my interest once again, and despite being pretty unhappy with Winick's bizarre Scarecrow transmutations in his first tale, I figured I'd check in on this new tale of the Red Hood. My overall reaction is a mixed one, but many of the problems I have are more from a larger editorial view than any specific flaws in Winick's writing, and this issue does feature some fun interaction between Batman and Nightwing, not to mention an intriguing (if mildly repetitive) mystery about the identity of the Red Hood. For Batman tales with a bit more of a superhero edge (but not the full-on superhero style of JLA: Classified), Batman is probably the best bet right now.
I have yet to fully warm up to Doug Mahnke's artwork on superheroes, at least on a regular title. I loved his work on JLA: Superpower and of course on The Mask, but his JLA work and now his Batman work doesn't always work for me. Something weird about the way he draws faces, especially teeth, looks strange. And yet... his design for Red Hood is terrific, very simple and effective, his Black Mask is a creepy visual and I really like the powerful physical presence he gives Batman as well, not to mention the sheer power in his portrayal of the last page surprise. At any rate, Mahnke is a strong storyteller with a good basic style, and though I have my complaints, overall his work here is very good.
My problems with the book have a lot more to do with continuity and the larger context of the book than with Winick's story or Mahnke's art, which are both very good at the very least. But I can't help it, the problems are there. Black Mask tortured a teenaged girl to death, one who happened to be Batman's partner, and he's still walking around? Batman can't find him and punish him? Weak, and it makes Batman look like a punk. And didn't Nightwing quit and disappear at the end of "War Games?" If so, it's not mentioned here, nor is Batman's new status quo of being on the outs with the cops. Again, it's not fair to hold Winick responsible for the problems of other stories, but if he's going to write a major character's main book in a shared universe, he's got to at least acknowledge these inconsistencies in some way.
However, if you're willing to pretend that "War Games" never happened (and hey, I'll go along with that), Batman #636 is a pretty good standalone read. Winick is doing a pretty good job with establishing his villains in particular. Black Mask seems a little inconsistent with his past psychotic portrayal, far more rational and crimeboss-like, but it's fitting for his new role, and it's the kind of transformation that worked well for the Penguin. Mr. Freeze is exactly as dangerous and psychotic as he should be, and I love Black Mask's twisted appreciation of Freeze's murderous streak. Also, while the Red Hood mystery has the unfortunate sense of being a little repetitive thanks to the Hush mystery (I can't be the only one thinking that we're supposed to guess Jason Todd might be under that hood), the mystery villain is a tried and true superhero trope, and I like what I've seen of the villain so far.
The other highlight of the issue, at least for me, was seeing Nightwing and Batman team up to fight crooks. Nothing too fancy, just good solid action storytelling with a little bit of relationship development underneath it. I love that the guys are using high-tech superweapons, not just AK-47s, and that little touch of superhero universe is the kind of thing I'd like to see more of in Batman. Which it seems might be in Winick's plan, if that last page surprise is any indication. At any rate, I have my gripes about this partnership, including this continuing "asshole Batman" characterization that I just can't stand anymore, but all in all, there's some solid Batman/Nightwing stuff in this issue. 7/10
