Batman: Creature of the Night #2
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: John Paul Leon
Publisher: DC Comics
I gushed over the first issue of this book and wasn’t so sure if this creative team could possible keep the quality that high. I am happy to report that they have knocked it out of the park once again. Kurt Busiek and John Paul Leon have done an incredible job of developing Bruce into a complex and nuanced interpretation of the beloved character while also providing some genuinely surprising twist to the story.
There is a slight time jump from the previous issue with Bruce now in college and eventually graduating. The more mature age allows us to get a better understanding of what is going on in his head. He’s become a successful, confident, and handsome young man who is still trying his best to be a good guy. The money his parents left him has been turned into a successful investment company. All the girls from his school want to be with him. A fund is set up to help child victims of brutal crimes. He begins to more accurately reflect the Bruce Wayne from the comics. The image of a wealthy playboy with an affinity for social justice is one that he’s got down just right.
Under this image lies a hint of something darker. He still controls the “Batman” and is using him to fight crime just like in the comic. His Batman is brutal and terrifying but he’s using him for a good cause. Bruce has been obsessed with trying to turn the world into something that more simple, a world he can recognize from his comic books. This naivety can come back to bite him and he finds out exactly what he is capable of in his pursuit of this.
The story is mostly told from the perspective of Bruce but we do occasionally flip over to Uncle “Alfred’s” perspective. He offers a nice change of pace and allows us to see Bruce from a different, perhaps more levelheaded view. Alfred notices the subtle changes and possible hints of something else going on with Bruce. It’ll be interesting to see how Alfred reacts to the Batman in the future.
John Paul Leon again, provides some incredible art that perfectly captures the story. His Batman in particular is the highlight of the book. To criminals, a cowardly and superstitious lot, Batman is a relentless and terrifying specter with no definite shape. John Paul Leon’s Batman is exactly that, he’s a myth brought to life. This Batman is scary but so fun to look at. Also worth mentioning is Leon’s use of colors throughout. They really does a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to setting the tone.
Batman: Creature of the Night #2 is every bit as good as the debut issue. Bruce has been fully realized with hints of something darker going on inside him. The story has taken an interesting turn that few would have seen coming. Finally, John Paul Leon’s Batman is a treat to look at. This book continues to be something special.
Artist: John Paul Leon
Publisher: DC Comics
I gushed over the first issue of this book and wasn’t so sure if this creative team could possible keep the quality that high. I am happy to report that they have knocked it out of the park once again. Kurt Busiek and John Paul Leon have done an incredible job of developing Bruce into a complex and nuanced interpretation of the beloved character while also providing some genuinely surprising twist to the story.
There is a slight time jump from the previous issue with Bruce now in college and eventually graduating. The more mature age allows us to get a better understanding of what is going on in his head. He’s become a successful, confident, and handsome young man who is still trying his best to be a good guy. The money his parents left him has been turned into a successful investment company. All the girls from his school want to be with him. A fund is set up to help child victims of brutal crimes. He begins to more accurately reflect the Bruce Wayne from the comics. The image of a wealthy playboy with an affinity for social justice is one that he’s got down just right.
Under this image lies a hint of something darker. He still controls the “Batman” and is using him to fight crime just like in the comic. His Batman is brutal and terrifying but he’s using him for a good cause. Bruce has been obsessed with trying to turn the world into something that more simple, a world he can recognize from his comic books. This naivety can come back to bite him and he finds out exactly what he is capable of in his pursuit of this.
The story is mostly told from the perspective of Bruce but we do occasionally flip over to Uncle “Alfred’s” perspective. He offers a nice change of pace and allows us to see Bruce from a different, perhaps more levelheaded view. Alfred notices the subtle changes and possible hints of something else going on with Bruce. It’ll be interesting to see how Alfred reacts to the Batman in the future.
John Paul Leon again, provides some incredible art that perfectly captures the story. His Batman in particular is the highlight of the book. To criminals, a cowardly and superstitious lot, Batman is a relentless and terrifying specter with no definite shape. John Paul Leon’s Batman is exactly that, he’s a myth brought to life. This Batman is scary but so fun to look at. Also worth mentioning is Leon’s use of colors throughout. They really does a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to setting the tone.
Batman: Creature of the Night #2 is every bit as good as the debut issue. Bruce has been fully realized with hints of something darker going on inside him. The story has taken an interesting turn that few would have seen coming. Finally, John Paul Leon’s Batman is a treat to look at. This book continues to be something special.
A Look Inside
