Batman: Fugitive has disappointed me as it has gone on, so much so that it has actually drained my enthusiasm for Batman: Murderer, which I enjoyed until I realized it had no ending. This issue has sparked my interest once again, and it is easily Brubaker's best issue of Batman thus far. It's a story I honestly can't believe no one has told before, showing us the human side of Bruce Wayne that Wayne himself has abandoned completely, and doing a credible job of bringing him back to a saner and more balanced place. It's a turning point for Fugitive and a terrific standalone issue to boot, with beautiful guest art by Sean Phillips and a script that stands alongside Brubaker's best work on Catwoman and Scene of the Crime.
There are so few people that Batman truly respects, it is unusual to see him talking to someone as an equal. The interaction this issue between Bruce and the detective was one of those rare moments, and it was a lot of fun to read. The instant rapport that comes from both of them fighting crime for a long time, and the places where their lives had intersected, with one or the other being unaware of it, made for an interesting tone, almost a father-son chat, and most certainly like a mentor-student relationship. It didn't hurt that in only a few pages, Brubaker crafted one of the most likable cops I've seen in Gotham, which gives me even more hope for the upcoming Gotham Central.
In fact, though this issue has a very clear throughline with a solid ending, what really got me was the various character moments. Batman interacting with the new Catwoman was a lot of fun, and given her stronger link to Leslie Thompkins, it was a perfect use for the character. And the brief interactions that Batman has with Leslie and Oracle speaks volumes about the changes his personality has gone through recently and where it settles this issue.
Sean Phillips really blew me away with his work on Wildcats, and his work here is up to that level. It's a story mostly about two men talking, but the movement of the camera, the subtle expressions (love Batman's slight smile when talking about smoking) and the quick flashbacks to what the men are talking about keeps things moving. This is also one of the few takes I've seen on the new Catwoman outfit by someone other than Cooke or someone with a similar style, and I thought Phillips did a great job on it.
Though Fugitive has been long and unfocused, the story comes more into focus this issue, and the potential is there for it to move forward to a satisfying conclusion. Even if it doesn't, this issue will stand out for me as the best Batman issue in months, and the point where Brubaker's take on Batman really grabbed me. Any fan of Batman, whether you've been following Fugitive or not, should pick this issue up.
