[New Comics] All Star Batman #2 (@DCComics)

All Star Batman #2

 

The first story in All-Star Batman #2 continues Batman’s race to “that house,” where he believes a cure for Harvey Dent exists. With art by John Romita Jr., Danny Miki, and Dean White, Batman takes a beating from a number of second- and third-tier villains, all trying to rescue Two-Face and become the next crime king of Gotham City as their reward. The Two-Face/Harvey Dent and Batman relationship has been explored many times in the past, but this is the first time that Snyder has focused on Dent. With his previous stories, Snyder has focused on what made the villainy of the Court of Owls, the Joker, the Riddler or Mister Bloom twisted reflections of Gotham City. Unlike those villains who fought Batman for the heart and soul of the city, Two-Face fights for his own survival, using villains, civilians and even Batman’s allies against him as his weapons. Two-Face is fighting for his life, and he’s more than willing to play dirty by showing the two-faced nature of everyone else.

All-Star Batman #2
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by John Romita Jr., Danny Miki, Declan Shalvey, Dean White and Jordie Bellaire
Lettering by Steve Wands
Published by DC Comics

The first story in All-Star Batman #2 continues Batman’s race to “that house,” where he believes a cure for Harvey Dent exists. With art by John Romita Jr., Danny Miki, and Dean White, Batman takes a beating from a number of second- and third-tier villains, all trying to rescue Two-Face and become the next crime king of Gotham City as their reward. The Two-Face/Harvey Dent and Batman relationship has been explored many times in the past, but this is the first time that Snyder has focused on Dent. With his previous stories, Snyder has focused on what made the villainy of the Court of Owls, the Joker, the Riddler or Mister Bloom twisted reflections of Gotham City. Unlike those villains who fought Batman for the heart and soul of the city, Two-Face fights for his own survival, using villains, civilians and even Batman’s allies against him as his weapons. Two-Face is fighting for his life, and he’s more than willing to play dirty by showing the two-faced nature of everyone else.

One of the more satisfying aspects of All-Star Batman #2 is that it’s worth the $4.99 price tag. There’s a lot to unpack in this issue, and it feels like a lot of bang for the buck. We do feel like the constant betrayals of Batman may be Synder’s way of making this issue’s primary story seem more important than it actually is. We’re not fans of the old bait and switch, and frankly, we’re starting to think that’s where Synder is going with it. That does temper our impression of the book. But overall, it’s been very enjoyable experience so far.

[New Comics] All Star Batman #2