the batman's grave #2 review
Writer- Warren Ellis
Artist – Bryan Hitch
Colors – Alex Sinclair
Letters – Richard Starkings
Publisher – DC Comics
Release Date – 11/13/2019
It has been so nice having these side Batman stories being published lately by DC. Granted Tom Kings last issue of Batman was one of the best in a while, it still hasn’t been a real great series. After reading the Batman’s Grave number one, I knew this was going to be a great series to get into and issue number 2 proves I was right. There isn’t as much going on in this issue, but there is still enough to keep the reader hooked and it does a great job leaving us wanting more.
Issue two picks up right where issue number one left off. After leaving us on a cliff hanger and right into page one, it is an action-packed battle with Batman having to think outside the box in order to win the fight. This issue also goes a little deeper into the odd behaviors we saw in Alfred in issue one and we see the dynamic between him, and Bruce is strained for some reason. We see Alfred speaking in a way we don’t normally see from his character and his behavior is questionable compared to what we normally see from the trusted Butler. We also see that the relationship between the Batman and the Gotham City Police Department isn’t as black and white as we have come to believe it is. It seems not everyone is on board with the vigilante and his workings outside the law.
Ellis has done a great job separating his Batman from others in this series. With his story he really makes us question other opinions on the bat and even makes us question the thoughts of those closest to Batman, who we’ve never really questioned before. The way this story is written really opens up the world around Batman. as well as giving us a firsthand look inside his world. Just from all the events going on in this story, we can assume something drastic is on the horizon but we have no idea what yet.
The art in this series is probably my favorite out of any Batman story currently being published. Bryan Hitch really has set himself apart from other artists currently working at DC with this series. The art is amazingly detailed and give us a more realistic tone for this story. There is also a lot of shadows and darks in the art and I am usually not a fan of that as I feel it takes away from the art sometimes but in this case, it adds to the work and all blends together smoothly. It just all works to help set the tone for this story and goes hand in hand with the writing. The panel work is all clean and there is not one flaw I could find in the entire issue. I would ha e liked to ha e seen some bigger spreads or a bigger art panel but for this issue it really would have taken away from telling the story.
Overall, I would have to put this series in my top 5 Batman series of all time and this issue is just another amazing addition to the first one. It’s been awhile since I’ve really gotten excited for a darker Batman story that exists outside the DC Black Label publications. If you have not picked up this series yet, I highly suggest you pick up the first issue as well as this one. This series has really blown all my expectations and I am excited to see what is to come. The Batman’s Grave #2 is available now so run to your local comic shop or buy it from your favorite online retailer. Make sure to let me know what your thoughts on this series are by commenting down below and let me know what you liked or didn’t like about this issue.
-Wes Greer
Artist – Bryan Hitch
Colors – Alex Sinclair
Letters – Richard Starkings
Publisher – DC Comics
Release Date – 11/13/2019
It has been so nice having these side Batman stories being published lately by DC. Granted Tom Kings last issue of Batman was one of the best in a while, it still hasn’t been a real great series. After reading the Batman’s Grave number one, I knew this was going to be a great series to get into and issue number 2 proves I was right. There isn’t as much going on in this issue, but there is still enough to keep the reader hooked and it does a great job leaving us wanting more.
Issue two picks up right where issue number one left off. After leaving us on a cliff hanger and right into page one, it is an action-packed battle with Batman having to think outside the box in order to win the fight. This issue also goes a little deeper into the odd behaviors we saw in Alfred in issue one and we see the dynamic between him, and Bruce is strained for some reason. We see Alfred speaking in a way we don’t normally see from his character and his behavior is questionable compared to what we normally see from the trusted Butler. We also see that the relationship between the Batman and the Gotham City Police Department isn’t as black and white as we have come to believe it is. It seems not everyone is on board with the vigilante and his workings outside the law.
Ellis has done a great job separating his Batman from others in this series. With his story he really makes us question other opinions on the bat and even makes us question the thoughts of those closest to Batman, who we’ve never really questioned before. The way this story is written really opens up the world around Batman. as well as giving us a firsthand look inside his world. Just from all the events going on in this story, we can assume something drastic is on the horizon but we have no idea what yet.
The art in this series is probably my favorite out of any Batman story currently being published. Bryan Hitch really has set himself apart from other artists currently working at DC with this series. The art is amazingly detailed and give us a more realistic tone for this story. There is also a lot of shadows and darks in the art and I am usually not a fan of that as I feel it takes away from the art sometimes but in this case, it adds to the work and all blends together smoothly. It just all works to help set the tone for this story and goes hand in hand with the writing. The panel work is all clean and there is not one flaw I could find in the entire issue. I would ha e liked to ha e seen some bigger spreads or a bigger art panel but for this issue it really would have taken away from telling the story.
Overall, I would have to put this series in my top 5 Batman series of all time and this issue is just another amazing addition to the first one. It’s been awhile since I’ve really gotten excited for a darker Batman story that exists outside the DC Black Label publications. If you have not picked up this series yet, I highly suggest you pick up the first issue as well as this one. This series has really blown all my expectations and I am excited to see what is to come. The Batman’s Grave #2 is available now so run to your local comic shop or buy it from your favorite online retailer. Make sure to let me know what your thoughts on this series are by commenting down below and let me know what you liked or didn’t like about this issue.
-Wes Greer
A Look Inside
