Friday, November 9, 2012

Review of Legends of the Dark Knight #1

Legends of the Dark Knight, issue 1, hit shelves two days ago, Wednesday, October 3, 2012.
Yes, just what you needed -- another Batman book.
Except for one thing: This is just what we needed -- a Batman book you can pick up on the fly just for the love of a good Batman story, no strings attached, no need to have read the previous issue, or even the issue to come, for that matter.

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Batman Learns Humility

In this first issue, in the first story, writer Damon Lindelof weaves a Batman tale that will make your jaw drop from the surprise when Batman learns a tough lesson in humility. The old adage proves true: Pride comes before the fall.
As it turns out, Lemire's quirky and wispy art -- while you might not think it a fit at first -- serves well in contrasting Batman's true frail state in contrast to his cockiness. Jose Villarubia's colors are darkly vivid as one expects in a Batman tale.

Batman Outsmarts Everyone

In the second tale, "All of The Above," Batman superior-ists will enjoy a tale of a matured Batman, a Batman who lets you think you've beat him for just the briefest of fading moments before he lets you in on the cold-as-space facts:
He's just playing with you, and you've already lost. Take that, Amazo.
I don't like seeing Batman in daylight (anyone else feel that way?), but the vivid colors of this story are a joy and convey the sense of fun, if I dare say, that Batman is enjoying. We have Paul Mounts to thank for those colors. Jonathan Larsen provides a script that moves, and JG Jones draws art that mimics movement.

Good Guys Batman and Robin

In the final story, "The Crime Never Committed," Robin joins the story. How refreshing to read a short graphic story that finds Batman and Robin on a proactive mission, no blood and guts, no psychotic wackos, just, well…, just a human interest story.
Nicola Scott's art, complimented by Wayne Faucher's inks, is all expression - expression in the eyes, facial expressions, and all with so much depth and emotion. If the eyes truly are the windows to the soul, you'll enjoy looking through the windows Nicola draws. Allan Passalaqua's environmental coloring stands out, for instance, the haze of the wee hours or the skyline dimly lit by a bright, evening city or the near darkness of a bedroom with window shades not tightly shut. Writer Tom Taylor writes a story with just the right amount of words and not one more, and that just seems to capture the characters perfectly.
So, yeah, I really liked this issue, and I'm looking forward to more, especially if we could see these three teams bring more stories to light.

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