The Batman Who Laughs #1

Writer: James Tynion IV

Artist: Riley Rossmo

Colourist: Ivan Plascencia

Letterer: Tom Napolitano

This is the final one-shot focusing on the Dark Multiverse Batmen, and this was one hell of an issue.

My initial concern about this issue was who was chosen to draw this issue: Riley Rossmo. Rossmo's art is something I've had a very tough time connecting with whenever he pops up. His work in NIGHT OF THE MONSTER MEN wasn't for me but I liked his depictions of the more horror-based elements of that story. This entire issue is basically Batman's biggest nightmare, and Rossmo did a fantastic job here. Some Dutch panel placements in the first few pages bothered me but his character proportions were strong and he was able to give the story a genuinely scary tone.

Tom Napolitano did a fantastic job with the lettering. I love with when the lettering ties into the story; Napolitano depicts the transition of Batman into the Batman Who Laughs with a couple of different lettering styles which really hit home for me and cemented certain stages of the transition which I found very powerful.

This is my favourite of the one-shots we've been presented. The others, while mostly good, felt more like Elseworlds stories rather than depictions of Batman's greatest fears. The Batman Who Laughs and what turns him into what he is feels like it could actually happen to Batman. I don't want to spoil anything, but Joker's plan falls in line with what Joker of Earth Prime would actually come up with. The story as it unfolds is genuinely horrifying. Again; this actually feels like something that would keep Batman awake at night, which is hammered home since we see more of the destruction that he causes more than any of the other Batmen.

This is the one-shot I was looking forward to the most, and it didn't disappoint. The story horrified me at multiple points and the art was impressive, especially from an artist whose work I don't connect with. Even the lettering is done exceptionally well.