One of the things I want to do during 2025 is re-read a lot more of my comic collection, mainly to see what truly needs to stay in this space limited world of mine.
As I find myself with a few days between one read and the next, I figured it gave me just enough time to go back over a mini-series I've been mostly avoiding, despite its relative ease of access.
Batman: City of Madness is a Black Label title written and drawn by Christian Ward which follows the Dark Knight as he's drawn into a supernatural mystery revolving around the Court of Owls and a bizarro-esque, horror inspired copy of Gotham.I remember, when I first saw this series, it was the name Christian Ward, whose work on the Black Bolt series I absolutely adored for both its main character depiction (although that's mostly a Saladin Ahmed contribution) as well as its art, which drew me to it. However, as I read issues one, two and three, I recall finding the tale decidedly lacking from my point of view.
Probably the reason I've been avoiding it for so long.
Therefore, it was quite a pleasant surprise when reading these three issues in shot order came across as much improved read.
Ward writes a seriously compelling detective story while also finding Batman's voice (as always, heard in my head as the late, great Kevin Conroy). Despite the more supernatural backdrop, Ward never seems to shy away from what makes Batman ... well, 'Batman', giving the story a feel that it was originally written as a crime drama before an abrupt change of direction. There is a subtle line of though surrounding fathers and sons as well as loss, which connects many of the main players, which gives this book some real heart that continues to elevate the feeling of helplessness the book gives off in its pages.
The art, however, is a truly different beast. Ward's art style is absolutely, horrifyingly stunning and gives the whole series a truly unsettling and disturbing vibe which is perfect for the plot.
If there is one downside to this series, it is the third issue. The finale feels half an issue too long with a lot of scenes coming across as filler, causing the issue to lose interest to me. Fortunately, it's saved by a heartfelt finale which also hints towards an answer to an ever unanswered question which I don't remember and totally blew my mind after reading.
If ever I need proof that you should re-read everything just to make sure of its quality, this comic collection is it. While I'm not sure if it'll ever get another read, Batman: City of Madness certainly did a better job of impressing me the second time round.
I just hope my next read doesn't do the opposite.
No comments:
Post a Comment