Arkham Manor #1
Welcome home, Bruce. Welcome to Arkham Manor.
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artist: Shawn Crystal
Publisher: DC
Duggan and Crystal decide to take the insanity of Arkham to Batman's front door, literally, in this New 52 book.
In this new story, following the events of Batman Eternal #30, Arkham Asylum has been destroyed. Destroyed, and rebuilt in a sense, in Bruce Wayne's own home.
Duggan establishes the story quickly, wasting no time in the set up. Bruce willingly allows the city to establish his own home as the new asylum because it keeps him closer to his sworn enemies and he think it's what his parents would have wanted, too. Soon there after, the walls of the manor are painted red with blood, and Batman decides to go undercover to find out who did it, and why. I really appreciate how quickly the set up takes place, and Duggan does a great job of characterizing his batman here. Bruce is tough, making some theifs apologize to their victim on the street before he breaks their bones, but he's also thoughtful, allowing his own home to be taken over where presumably the Mad Hatter could be shacked up in his parent's bedroom. This Batman is first and foremost a detective. That's my favorite type of Batman. The way he looks over the crime scene and the inventive way in which he decides to take his next steps, is refreshing. With the story establishing being done, there's little else here but and I yearn for a double issue or something to really get into it but the book hits all the right notes and I'm more than interested.
Crystal's art is Gotham. Dark, angular and sketchy. His Batman is a powerful sight, one that commands respect and is frightening in all the best ways. There's some classic elements at play too, the brooding way in which he stands over those petty theives so so indicative of Long Halloween or something, but it works. There's not a ton of action taking place here, so I hope that Crystal gets to flex his muscles in the next issue because I'm really looking forward to this muscular mass of superhero kicking some ass.
This book does little beside establish it's premise and that's both it's strength and weakness. I'm dying for the second issue, but I'm slightly worried I may be let down simply because there's not much going on besides the set up here and it's hard to tell the pace, tone and shape this story will take.
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artist: Shawn Crystal
Publisher: DC
Duggan and Crystal decide to take the insanity of Arkham to Batman's front door, literally, in this New 52 book.
In this new story, following the events of Batman Eternal #30, Arkham Asylum has been destroyed. Destroyed, and rebuilt in a sense, in Bruce Wayne's own home.
Duggan establishes the story quickly, wasting no time in the set up. Bruce willingly allows the city to establish his own home as the new asylum because it keeps him closer to his sworn enemies and he think it's what his parents would have wanted, too. Soon there after, the walls of the manor are painted red with blood, and Batman decides to go undercover to find out who did it, and why. I really appreciate how quickly the set up takes place, and Duggan does a great job of characterizing his batman here. Bruce is tough, making some theifs apologize to their victim on the street before he breaks their bones, but he's also thoughtful, allowing his own home to be taken over where presumably the Mad Hatter could be shacked up in his parent's bedroom. This Batman is first and foremost a detective. That's my favorite type of Batman. The way he looks over the crime scene and the inventive way in which he decides to take his next steps, is refreshing. With the story establishing being done, there's little else here but and I yearn for a double issue or something to really get into it but the book hits all the right notes and I'm more than interested.
Crystal's art is Gotham. Dark, angular and sketchy. His Batman is a powerful sight, one that commands respect and is frightening in all the best ways. There's some classic elements at play too, the brooding way in which he stands over those petty theives so so indicative of Long Halloween or something, but it works. There's not a ton of action taking place here, so I hope that Crystal gets to flex his muscles in the next issue because I'm really looking forward to this muscular mass of superhero kicking some ass.
This book does little beside establish it's premise and that's both it's strength and weakness. I'm dying for the second issue, but I'm slightly worried I may be let down simply because there's not much going on besides the set up here and it's hard to tell the pace, tone and shape this story will take.
A Look Inside
