Batman: Dark Victory #0 (1999)

Batman: Dark Victory #0 (1999)

Writer - Jeph Loeb

Artist - Tim Sale

Letterer - Richard Starkings

Colorist - Gregory Wright

Separations - Heroic Age

Editor - Mark Chiarello

Inspiration - Archie Goodwin

I had to wait a bit to do this one.  Was finally able to tunnel to the long box it was kept in.  After sending a canary* into my library and having it return alive, I figured it was safe enough to hop in myself.

What I wasn't prepared for was this being so short!  I thought it would was a full-length story... but I guess I was wrong.  Anyhoo, after the effort put forth in digging this one out, I feel like I kinda have to cover it here, despite its brevity... and for it not having much (if anything) to do with the Boo Haunted Blog theme.  Must've confused this with something else...

*No canaries were harmed in the procurement of this issue... I, however, stubbed my toe.

... but, before we get to the book, I do have an anecdote about this one.  This special issue was included with an issue of Wizard Magazine.  I bit of research reveals that it was Wizard Magazine #97 (September, 1999).  Now, Wizard was a pretty big part of my comics adolescence... having launched in 1991, when I was 11 years old... I feel like I was pretty much the target audience for a book of this sort... especially as it devolved into frat-boy "humor" in lieu of actual comics coverage.

When this issue arrived, though I couldn't place much insofar as time of year or what else I was buying... I remember an, I wanna say "older fan"... but if I think about it too hard, I'll probably come to the grim realization that he was probably younger than I am now... anyhoo, he bought this issue as well, and was vocally annoyed at the fact he had to buy an issue of Wizard to get the bridging chapter between Batman: The Long Halloween and Batman: Dark Victory.  Dude just wouldn't pipe down about it... and when he got to paying (I was behind him), he started laying into the poor clerk.  The clerk tried playing it off, and told him it came with a "free comic", but he wasn't having it... the fella said it was a $5 comic that came with a P.O.S. Magazine.

Anyhoo... long story... long, he pays for it... tears open the polybag, and tosses the Wizard Mag at the clerk before walking out with his slim "freebie" bat-comic.  It makes me wonder how many other fans did such a thing.  I know by 1999, Wizard's cache and reputation was kinda "iffy", even among fans of my "vintage"... couldn't imagine older professional types being pleased with having to actually buy/own an issue of Wizard to get a copy of a comic they wanted to read.  Wizard also had many mail-order "#1/2" (that's number one-half) issues, where you would have to pull an envelope out of the middle of the issue and send it in.  Gotta wonder how many non-Wizard readers had to actually buy a copy so they can send away for their Flash #1/2, or Ultimate Spider-Man #1/2.  Anyhoo, just something that makes me wonder sometimes... On with the spoilery-synopsis.

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We open with the proclamation "Alberto Falcone was Holiday".  During The Longest Halloween, Batman was tracking a killer who only struck on Holidays.  It was suspected that Harvey Dent was the man behind the serial killings... this is pre-Two-Face.  We are treated to the... extremely violent ways in which Batman deals with Holiday, including crushing his right hand and beating him bloody.  This string of killings cost the life of Crime Lord, and Holiday's father Carmine "The Roman" Falcone... and the humanity of Harvey Dent.

We shift scenes to the new District Attorney Janice Porter as she visits Arkham Asylum to interview Holiday.  He's depicted as a meek individual.  He had been able to side-step the gas chamber, having recently been declared legally insane.  He now stays at Arkham in an attempt at rehabilitation.

Porter asks him questions... however, not about is actions.  Instead she asks about the beating he'd taken from the Batman.  He reveals that he still has no feeling in his right arm, and if the art is to be believed, it is nothing more than a gnarled stump at this point.  She promises to do anything in her power to ensure justice is done.

As she begins to leave, Falcone stops her.  He states that he is truly remorseful for what he had done the year prior.  I guess that makes it all okay, right?  Across the way, Julian Day... the Calendar Man is in his own cell.  He apologizes too... but for what, I don't know/remember.

Porter later arrives at the office of GCPD Commissioner James Gordon.  It is clear that their relationship is pretty contentious.  She informs him that she might just be reopening the Falcone case... which raises his ire just a bit.  She believes that his civil rights were violated when he was "brought in" by the Batman... a situation that Gordon stood by and allowed to happen.

She leaves, and we see a familiar shadow appear by the window.  Gordon apologizes to Batman, and says he may not be able to "protect" him on this one.  Protect Batman?  Gord, please... he doesn't need that.

Having had to deal with D.A. Porter reminds Gordon that the old D.A. was his (and Batman's) friend, Harvey Dent.  He recalls all the good times they'd had... and how close they were.  During his rant, Batman disappears... as he's wont to do.  We close out with Gordon sitting alone in his office as a torrent of rain pelts at his windows.

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Now... this was great.  Perfect way to whet your appetite if you were waiting for Dark Victory to start up.  This ties up some of the loose ends from The Long Halloween, and puts many of the pieces into place for the next chapter to begin.  The writing and art are top notch, as to be expected from this creative team.  My only complaint... if you can call it that... is its length.  I'd have loved a few more pages of this... I mean, I've got the hardcover upstairs... but putting myself into the gestalt of it all, I would've really enjoyed a bit more here.

This issue calls into question how a vigilante may dispense justice without violating human or civil rights.  It's a rather meaty thing to undertake... and proves to be a rather slippery slope.  I hate using the term "slippery slope" because, in every day life... everything can be viewed that way... however, with this story I cannot think of another way to word it.

Now it's easy to look at the new District Attorney Janice Porter as the heel here.  She's reopening the case for... and considering defending... a confessed serial killer.  We don't have all (or any, really) of the why-fors yet... and quite honestly... it's been over fifteen years since I'd read this, and I cannot remember.  I just gotta assume there's something more to this than just a newly-seated D.A. trying to make waves.

Something of interest was Gordon knowing that Batman was friends with Harvey Dent.  Like I said, it's been awhile... and their relationship both in and out of costume has always appeared somewhat nebulous to me... but is this something Gordon should know?  It's probably nothing, but made my "reading ears" perk up just a bit.

This is definitely a story worth checking out... even if you're not a Loeb fan (and I don't know why you wouldn't be... but I see that a lot of folks are "over" him)... the art is truly worth the price of admission.  It's a beautiful book... well worth your time.  Luckily these days you don't need to buy a $5 issue of Wizard Magazine to get it... you can probably find it in the cheap-o bins!  Just last night I found four copies in one!

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Back-Matter:

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Blackest Night #0 (2009)

Blackest Night #0 (June, 2009)
"Death Becomes Us"
Writer - Geoff Johns
Penciller - Ivan Reis
Inkers - Oclair Albert & Rob Hunter
Colorist - Alex Sinclair
Letterer - Nick J. Napolitano
Associate Editor - Adam Schlagman
Editor - Eddie Berganza

When I first decided to do this Boo Haunted Blog thing, I had figured that I'd cover a whole lotta Blackest Night.  That didn't really turn out to be the case, but I definitely want to get at least one issue from the main series in here... so here we be.

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We open with Hal Jordan paying his respects at Bruce Wayne's unmarked grave.  He takes the opportunity to reflect on his rather rocky relationship with his caped and cowled pal.  They had different ways of "doing business", and often didn't see eye-to-eye.  Perhaps they were both just headstrong enough to drive the other, ahem, batty... 

With a flash of lightning, the newly returned Barry Allen arrives on the scene.  He laments the fact that without the Bat-Signal being illuminated with any sort of regularity these days, Gotham City has turned into an even worse cesspool of crime.

Barry notices that Bruce's grave is not marked, and feels bad that there was no ceremonial funeral for his friend.  Hal informs him that it was Bruce's wish for there not to be.  He continues by revealing that while Batman is "officially" dead, Bruce Wayne is not.  He continues by saying Robin believes Bruce is still somehow alive.  In a cute moment, Barry's mind immediately goes to Dick Grayson... Hal corrects him, and it's the first time I considered that there's an entire generation of heroes that Barry's never met!

The pair then compare their own funeral stories.  Barry died a hero... or a saint.  Being the insanely popular and beloved dude that he was, his funeral was standing-room only.  Hal's, on the other hand... was quite the opposite.  He died a villain... and his tombstone was even desecrated... by another hero.

The conversation turns to other friends they'd lost in the not so distant past, including Aquaman and Martian Manhunter.  They talk up the revolving door of death in their particular universe, and believe if there's any possible way to come back from death... Batman will figure it out.  We then get a cute scene between Hal and Bruce where they discuss losing their fathers.  It's really a nice little scene.

The pals take their leave... and we see that they were being watched.  A zombified arm reaches into Bruce Wayne's burial site, and pulls his very skull from the ground.  The Black Lantern oath starts ringing throughout the universe... but who could this be?

Why, it's Black Hand!  The very embodiment of the Black Lantern.  We close out with the end of the oath, promising that the "Dead Shall Rise"... and a scarred Guardian of the Universe with a satisfied smile.

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How about that... a Free Comic Book Day issue that actually mattered!  Not some reprinted piece from a continuity (or two) ago, not some animated series tie-in originally published in the early 1990's... and not a preview catalog disguised as anthology.  An actual, honest to goodness story... that leads to something.  Let's do more of these, DC!

For the story itself, I really enjoyed it.  I feel the time between Flash Rebirth and Flashpoint was criminally short.  Just as it appeared that Barry was getting comfortable back among the living... bada bing, welcome to The New-52!  Here we actually get to experience Barry and Hal doing a bit of reconnecting, and getting... ahem... up to speed on current events.  It's brief, but I really dug it.

Especially interesting (and eye-opening) was Barry's mind immediately going to Dick Grayson when he hears the name Robin.  I'd completely taken for granted that he'd never met Tim... hell, I'm not sure he even met Jason.  Such a neat thing for Johns to include here... really puts things into perspective insofar as just how different the world was when Barry last walked... er, ran... it.

The Batman/Hal Jordan relationship was cool to see on display as well.  I can't really speak for much in the pre-Crisis as it pertains to their level of chumminess... but, I do know that ever since Green Lantern Rebirth, Batman has been particularly cautious with how he deals with Hal.  I like them being at-odds... not extreme like the Green Arrow and Hawkman relationship... but, still not seeing eye to eye is a pretty neat dynamic.

We get a pretty good idea of just who's "coming back" via the Black Lantern rings, which was a great way to whet the appetite of DC fans.  I mean, at this point who didn't want to see the Dibneys alive and well?  Or Firestorm or J'onn?  This was such an exciting time to be a fan... part of the reason why I (and presumably many others) were so salty when this universe was swept under the rug just two-years later.

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Emotional Spectrum Tour:

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Batman #351 (1982)

Batman #351 (September, 1982)
"What Stalks the Gotham Night?"
"Gentlemen Defer Blondes"
Writers - Gerry Conway & Bruce Jones
Pencillers - Gene Colan & Adrian Gonzales
Inker - Tony DeZuniga
Letterers - Ben Oda & Janice Chiang
Colorists - Adrienne Roy & Tom Ziuko
Editor - Dick Giordano
Cover Price: $0.60

Our senses-shattering... and soul-saving conclusion!

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We open on a close up of Batman, fangs bared.  There's either some very thick cuaguly blood dripping from his open maw, or this Vampiri-ness has given him a messed up tongue to match his teeth.  We turn and get his point of view... he is watching his young ward Dick Grayson escort his on-again off-again Vicki Vale back to her apartment.

Dick gets a bit grabby, and lunges in to get a Vampiri "love bite" in on her neck.  He is distracted, however, by the shadow of the bat projected onto the building.  This gives Vicki enough time to pull away and tell him to cool his jets.  As she disappears into her building, Batman swoops down... reads Dick the riot act, then kayos him with the quickness.

At Wayne Manor, Alfred has prepared some tea... for who, that's anyone's guess.  He is taken completely off guard in finding Bruce Wayne sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper.  Why, that's not Bruce... that's Christopher Chance... the Human Target!  He was evidently hired by Wayne to impersonate him some time back.  He tears off his Bruce Wayne face mask, which seems like quite a waste... I'm pretty sure, all things considered, Alfred would have taken him at his word.  Anyhoo, he appears to be applying for the gig of saving Wayne from being murdered.  Okey dokey.

Before they can go much further, Alfred is alerted via a blinking light on the telephone that Master Bruce... the real Master Bruce is in need of him.  He rushes to the Batcave to find Batman carrying a konked out Dick Grayson.  They strap Dick to a table, and Batman takes a sample of his blood.  Not to go too far off subject, but Alfred didn't know Bruce way home... and wasn't expecting a visit from Chance, does he just walk around Wayne Manor carrying a tea service all day?

Anyhoo, Alfred pops out for a second and places a call to St. Jude's Hospital.  He feels it's finally time to take Father Green up on his offer of soul-salvaging.

We briefly shift scenes, to follow up on Bard and Gordon, Private Investigators as they pop in on Squeeze, the photographer from last issue.  He tries to play dumb, but Gordon doesn't let him slide... they know his style, and they know he's wrapped up in the photo-doctoring... or something.  As an aside, I really like the idea of Jim Gordon as a Private Eye.  I think it's a fun way to explore his pursuit of justice, outside the auspices of the GCPD.  This is something I'd love to see go down today.

Back at Wayne Manor, Father Green arrives and is escorted in by Alfred.  Christopher Chase (whose first name I keep misspelling... even though it's the same as mine) looks on, and decides there may just be more about this Wayne and Pennyworth than meets the eye... and he's gonna stick around until he gets to the bottom of it.

Father Green is led into the Batcave... and this is pre-Crisis, so he may have been one of the few folks in the DC Universe not to have already stepped foot there.  He gives Batman the spoo on the Vampiri, and as luck would have it, he knows how to end the curse.  They will need a blood sample from the man who passed it on, they need the Blood of DuBois.  That sounds like a Civil War era romance novel, no?

And so, Batman and Green head out... with Father Green riding shotgun in the Batmobile.  They arrive at Dala's place, she is apparently DuBois' sister.  I think I mistook her for her 19th century wife last issue... he did refer to her as "dearest", which is not something I've ever called (or been called by) a sibling.  They ask for his whereabouts, and she just laughs at them.  Off-panel, she tells them where to go... like seriously, her brother is hanging out at an old church.  Not too cliche, eh?  Batman decides to enter alone, as this whole ordeal has been made personal to him.  What he finds is a few desecrated graves and people strapped and bleeding out from upside-down crucifixes!

Suddenly DuBois pounces in.  He and the Batman roll around for a bit.  The screaming alerts Father Green, who decides to, cross-in-hand, enter the structure... where he gets jumped by Dala!

From here, and this is funny to say... things get comic-booky.  Batman punches DuBois... and then punches Dala.  Father Green pulls out is hypodermic, and retrieves the sample they require... Batman is all but cured.

This story wraps up with Vicki Vale rifling through her filing cabinet.  Just so happens she wanted to gaze into her photos of Bruce Wayne and Batman on this fine evening.  We shift to the actual whereabouts of the photos, as Boss Thorne has hired a very dangerous man to eliminate Wayne.

Our Catwoman backup picks up where it left off last issue.  She's "hangin' in there" as a man holds a gun on her.  She uses her cape (remember Catwoman used to wear a cape?  Weird) to swipe his gun, knowing that he's beat... the man pulls her up.  We learn that the man is Paul Henning of the F.B.I. and has no interest in harming Selina.

He spills the beans on the dead girl from earlier.  Her full name was Candy Carole, but before that she was Pam Powell... gotta hand it to her for keeping the alliteration up!  She found herself wrapped up in a bank heist at the behest of her husband Dwight... who had a bad case of bettin'-it-on-the-ponies.

After their new start in Cleveland as the Caroles, Dwight... now Roscoe got back into the betting game, and wound up running into a Jake Marley... a lot of baddies are called Marley around now.  Anyhoo, dude ran up his tab... and the baddies wanted their pound of flesh.  Somehow they mistook a brunette with her hair tucked into her hat as a bubbly blonde, and abducted Selina Kyle instead of Candy.  Well, to be fair... in the art, what hair that is sticking out of her hat is yellow.  Honest mistake...

Paul asks Catwoman if she can help him get his hands on Candy's safety deposit box using her most excellent Candy Carole cosplay.  She's down with it, and so they head to the bank... only to find the deposit box... empty!

As luck would have it, Jake Marley followed Candy into the bank!  He calls out to her, but she ducks away to throw on her Catwoman duds... she returns and, quite shockingly does not jump headfirst into his midsection... instead she wallops him with a flying kick.

The banker suddenly realizes that Candy's husband Roscoe was in a few hours earlier to empty the deposit box... yeah, that's kind of important information to be sitting on Mr. Banker.  How could you forget something like that?  Weird.  Anyhoo, now with the knowledge of who's got the loot... Catwoman knows that it's likely all going to be spent at the races... and so, we're off to 'em!  Wouldn'tcha know it, there's ol' Roscoe!  Upon seeing Catwoman he drops the dosh, and runs onto the track... directly into the path of a half-dozen speeding horses.  Wonk wonk wonkkkk...

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Well, that was anticlimactic, wasn't it?

Not that I was expecting some huge game-changer of a conclusion... but this treated the whole thing like an afterthought.  We get upwards of 60-pages of build... two-panels of "alright then... here's your cure, Batman!", then rush to start the pay-off for a subplot with an appearance of Deadshot.  Can't help but feel let down here.

The whole story so far was tense and creepy, but it ends with DuBois and Dala getting socked in the mush.  "Sock" is literally the sound effect used when Batman bops Dala.  As there was no follow-up on what Batman did with Marley last issue, I guess we have to assume that he did, in fact, feed off another human being.  So Batman killed a dude... I guess?  Or turned him into a Vampiri?  Dunno, maybe this is eventually picked-up later down the line.

Anyhoo... just a bit disappointed with this one.  Was hoping there would be more to it than just "go to the baddie's place and punch 'em".  There are a lot of positives here, for instance... I am glad they kept Dick Grayson in this, as I feared he may just be presumed-to-be-cured and that this whole affair would just never be addressed again.  The photo subplot(s) received follow-up, and we get this odd wrinkle of the Human Target sniffing around Wayne Manor.  There is more than enough to keep a reader interested, engaged, and wanting to follow Batman and Detective Comics.  I guess, I just would've liked the main story to get a bit more in the way of closure.

To close, I suppose I should temper my disappointment a bit... this was a great issue that did end as a "to be continued" after all... albeit for one of the subplots.  There is a lot going on here, and a lot to like... this is from a time when subplots carried stories forward, and as such there weren't always "clean breaks" that would fit neatly into a collected edition.  Hell, for all I know this storyline still looms large in the background for a bit.  Guess I'm gonna have to dig through the ol' longboxes eventually to find out.

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The bird has an EYE PATCH!