Let me start by telling you something that should come as no surprise to anyone: the artwork in this comic is awesome. The artwork by David Finch, Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair is first rate. While, I really cannot make a fair and complete assessment of David Finch’s ability as a writer, until the end of this first storyline, he does get off to a good start. His work in this first issue may not be the greatest but I’ve certainly read a lot worse.
I would like to know why so many writers are intent on exploring or linking current events to Bruce Wayne’s childhood. It was such a short period in his life and really did not play a major role in molding him into the person he has become. Bruce Wayne’s childhood ended as soon as his parents where murdered and it was soon after that that he decided on a direction for his life. His childhood really just forms the bases of what he thinks his life could have been had his parents lived.
SPOILER WARNING The story, so far, is pretty straightforward: Batman is investigating the disappearance of a childhood friend named Dawn Golden. He begins his search, in this issue, by bringing in Killer Croc for questioning. The information he gets from Croc leads him to Lars Beck a club owner and small time crook. While following up this lead at Beck’s club, Batman finds he has walked into a trap. Outside the club some unknown figure succeeds in gaining control of the Batmobile. Inside Penguin and his men catch Batman flat footed. What connection this all has to the disappearance of several local homeless people is not clear yet. END SPOILER WARNING
This was a solid start to this new ongoing series and I look forward to the rest of this first storyline. I do worry about David Finch’s ability to get this series out on time if he plans to remain both writer and penciler. This first issue did come out a month late after all.
Keith Forney