ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Batman’ Issue 2

Batman Issue 2 is published by DC Comics. Written by Matt Fraction, with art by Jorge Jiménez, colors by Tomeu Morey and letters by Clayton Cowles. In this issue, Batman rushes into action as one of the Robins needs his help.

Batman Issue 2 puts many of the features of Fraction’s series to the test early on. The precedents that have been put in place and the difficulties that were forming are already causing problems. It’s a violent, tense comic that moves at a rapid speed. It shows how many thorns there are lying in wait that will make trying to be a hero in Gotham City so difficult. The villains are dangerous, but the police are even more so, and they possess even more dangerous weapons.

The previous issue was already building up firewood, but Batman Issue 2 lights the fuse. The action and suspense are almost nonstop, rapidly plunging the heroes into multiple action scenes. It shows how much hostility there is from every show, with danger constantly behind Batman and any of the Robins’ backs. The issue is beautifully circular, using multiple points in time to tell a warm story among such a vicious world.

Batman Issue 2 starts to expand the supporting cast, and it is fascinating to see how Fraction approaches this in the new series. Certain writers have favourite Robins, and some can fall by the wayside, which is why it’s so rewarding to see which one Fraction starts with first. In just a few pages alone, you can see how much Robin has learned and emulated Batman, at times even having to become the dominant figure of the duo.

The relationship is formed from a troubled upbringing, one that has generated a fierce connection. You see Bruce as a leader, but primarily as a concerned father who would stop at nothing to protect his son. But Fraction writes dialogue that isn’t lengthy or bogged down, instead telling the story with a concise precision. Around them is a city filled with fraught figures, leading to trembling trigger fingers and standoffs. It makes Gotham as dangerous as it’s ever been for any vigilante.

The art is exceptional again, but for many different reasons. The first issue could have been seen as beautiful and contemplative. Batman Issue 2 is far more volatile and violent. It’s got more outright action. There is a terrific fight scene that is extended and extremely gripping, using motion superbly.

Jiménez could be considered an artist with a very pretty style. Comics look stunning when he illustrates them. But here, we see a side to his art that is rough and bloody. Existing in Gotham now is all about trying to stay alive by any means necessary. The design of the Robin is fantastic, because it brilliantly identifies him. How he looks and how he moves are incredibly distinctive.

The colors are magnificent. There was an abundance of blue in the first chapter of the series. That’s still prevalent here, whenever Batman is on the page. But Robin is also a key figure and carries a lot of red into the comic as well. It increases the sense of danger and severity, because the red heightens the drama. And when next to each other, the contrast of the opposing colors is fantastic. The lettering continues many of the successful features, including the captions that explain the gadgets. They return, this time revealing Robin’s unique tools,

Batman Issue 2 focuses on a Robin. The creators’ care for the Robins is key to any Batman comic, and that shows here. It’s also got much more adrenaline within it, blood pumping both within the body and out of it on the page. Alongside the intense action is a heartfelt story, one about faith and persistence. It shows that it’s not just Batman who’s going to find it difficult in Gotham.

Batman Issue 2 is available wherever comics are sold on October 1.