Batman: Face the Face Review

Writer: James Robinson

Artists: Leonard Kirk & Don Kramer

I'm back to doing my Batman reviews, and I still plan on reviewing the remaining key Batman stories up until the start of the New 52. This is also my ninth review on the series with my last review being on Batman: Face the Face.

Plot

It has been one year since Batman left Gotham City in the hands of Harvey Dent, but when Harvey is a key suspect in a series of murders following Batman's return it makes things difficult, and it's questionable whether he'll fall back into darkness or not.

Review

This was an amazing story, and one of my personal favourite One Year Later stories. James Robinson did an amazing job with this story, and although he isn't quite as good at writing Batman as he is writing Superman, he did a brilliant job with the character. I especially loved the tone of this story, and enjoyed how Robinson took us back to a more classic Batman story, having it filled with mystery, and detective work, both of which added a lot of suspense, and drama to the story. I also loved the dark tone of this story, as it added a lot of depth to the story. I also loved the dialogue that Robertson added to this story, as it was very interesting, especially the dialogue from Batman. I did however feel that it dragged slightly at times, which reduced the overall quality of the story a bit, but besides that Robertson did a fantastic job of giving us a unique Batman story that was extremely interesting.

The art on this story was also very good, and both Leonard Kirk, and Don Kramer did an amazing job. I did however prefer Kramer's art overall, as I felt it suited the story more, with the dark, and gritty sequences really standing out during his artwork. Both artists work was however highly detailed, with little to no imperfections. There was however one small thing that I disliked about the art, and this was another reason that I preferred Kramer's overall, as I didn't like how Kirk drew smiles, as they looked very awkward, and unrealistic. I also loved the highly detailed backgrounds that both artists drew, as they were very realistic, and along with the layout added a lot of depth to the story. I also loved how both artists drew the characters throughout this story, with everyone looking amazing, though I did especially enjoy Kramer's artwork on Harvey Dent.

This story would come following the big Infinite Crisis storyline, where all the main heroes left for a year. Now they didn't leave in publication wise, as this would come straight after that event, but story wise one year had passed. I loved the changes that happened in that time, and how Gotham took a dramatic change, reverting itself back to the Gotham that it truly should be, with James Gordon as Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department, and a lot of villains roaming the city. I did however feel that it was good that Robinson didn't have too many Infinite Crisis references, as although that was a good story, it had passed, and it would ruin it for Batman fans who don't care for Infinite Crisis. At the same time the few references were nice.

With a title like Face to Face it would be obvious that Harvey Dent, better known as Two-Face would make an appearance in this story. Two-Face is one of Batman's biggest villains ever, and like most of Batman's classic villains back then he needed a big development, and turning him back to Harvey Dent was that, with the Hush storyline revealing that. I did however love how this year without Batman around changed Harvey, as due to being put in charge of protecting Gotham, to then be accused of multiple murder on Batman's return would be a big blow for him. I also enjoyed how this story showed Harvey wrestling with his thoughts, not wanting to turn back to Two-Face, but at the same time furious about being accused of such a thing.

This story would see Batman, and Robin (Tim Drake) working together throughout, something that I was extremely happy about as prior to the Batman and Robin series there wasn't a huge amount of teaming up between the two (and the Batman and Robin series was also technically two different characters in Dick Grayson, and Damian Wayne). I also really enjoyed seeing the chemistry between the two, and how they are working better together than they ever have before. I also felt that this was a key point for both Bruce, and Tim, as with the recent events affecting Tim so much he needs someone to look up to, and Bruce also needs the same as to avoid possibly loosing another member of his Bat-Family.

This story would also have villains galore, having an array of Batman rogues making  appearances, with Poison Ivy, Mad Hatter, Ventriloquist and Scarface, Killer Moth, Killer Croc, Mr. Freeze, Firebug, and more being featured throughout. Batman has some of the best villains ever, so with all these amazing villains gathered in the one story it's bound to make things interesting. There was however a small part of me that felt that it was just a little too much, as although it was fun to see all these amazing characters, if it was slightly fewer it would allow them to do more, as most landed up being short cameos. I did however love the line Gordon spoke about Arkham Asylum having a revolving door, as these villains seem to have no trouble escaping time, and time again.

Final Verdict

This was a fantastic book, and was one of the better One Year Later stories. It showed Batman at his best, having his detective skills at the max, whilst also showing him taking out bad guy after bad guy. There was also some brilliant teamwork between the Dark Knight, and the Boy Wonder, and the turmoil that Harvey Dent was going through was outstanding, adding a lot of suspense. Due to all this it's extremely easy to recommend this story, and if you've read Infinite Crisis, 52, or any other One Year Later stories then you should definitely give this a try.

Rating: 8/10

The next Batman book I'll be reviewing will be Batman: Detective.

Batman and Robin #23.1 Two-Face Review

Writer: Peter J. Tomasi

Artist: Guillem March

Villains Month has been something that I have been extremely interested in, and now that it's hear I am very happy. Being a huge Batman fan I am personally looking forward to the Batman villains making there appearances, and although I've already been disappointed with the Joker's issue, I'm sure most of them will be good.

Plot

Two-Face has to make the decision of whether to save Gotham City, or "make it bleed," but when Scarecrow invites Two-Face to join the Secret Society of Super Villains it makes things awkward.

Review

This was a brilliant issue, and one of the better issues from this weeks Villains Month issues. Peter J. Tomasi did a superb job with this issue, and I loved how he got Two-Face spot on, and especially loved the conflicting monologue from Two-Face, showing how spit he is between every decision he makes. I also loved how this was a relatively dark story, whilst also managing to be fun as well, keeping the readers interest at a high point, whilst also keeping the excitement at a high level. I also loved how well this tied into Forever Evil without being a direct tie-in, as although I like the idea of some of the stories being set in the past, or completely new origins, it's nice to see some of them set in the present.

The art on this issue was also amazing, and although it wasn't necessarily the best artwork that I've seen from Guillem March, it was still outstanding. I especially loved the way he laid out his artwork, and especially near the start, as the panels showing Two-Face making his initial decision of whether to save Gotham or not was so impactful, and I especially loved the coin flip. I also loved the way that March drew Two-Face in general, as he looks just as he should, having the sinister disfigured side, which was amazing, and the slick normal side which was fantastic, especially next to each other. I was however not a fan of March's Scarecrow, but besides that I loved his artwork.

The theme of this issue was about how Two-Face makes his decisions, and although I already mentioned how well Tomasi handled this I felt that I'd also go into how this helped the story itself. The whole coin toss decision making of Two-Face is his distinguishing feature, and it has always been established that he wouldn't cope well without the coin to make his decisions for him. Well I loved how this was reflected in the story, as it is what shaped the tone, and the atmosphere of it, making is something unique, but also something exciting, and interesting.

This issue would also feature another Batman villain in the form of Scarecrow, who's become the Secret Society of Super Villains go to guy for recruitment, with Two-Face being one of the people he's trying to recruit. The interaction between the two characters in this issue was simply amazing, as I loved how it showed the similarities they both have, whilst also making it very clear that these are two very different types of characters. I also loved how Scarecrow was able to have a interesting role in this issue without taking the spotlight away from Two-Face, as although Tomasi didn't shy away from giving Scarecrow good dialogue, it was still clear that this was Two-Face's show.

A good part of this story would see Two-Face give out his own brand of justice to the people of Gotham, returning to the Court House one more time. I just loved this, as it showed just how out of sync with the real world Two-Face really is, and how far he's willing to go to deliver what he considers to be justice, giving them just two options life in prison, or death, all of which is dependant on what the coin decides. I also enjoyed the small flashbacks that would happen during this sequence, showing how much he has changed since becoming Two-Face, which was a really interesting addition, especially due to this not being an origin story.

Final Verdict

This was a terrific story, and it got the Two-Face character spot on. It has also been one of the better Villains Month issues from this week, being very exciting, and dramatic, whilst managing to balance in both dark, and fun elements. It also had a very interesting story that ties in nicely with Forever Evil without it being necessary to read both to enjoy one or the other. Due to all this I'd highly recommend this issue, as although it wasn't quite perfect it was extremely enjoyable.

Rating: 8/10