Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez kicked off their Batman run by utilizing the untold ending of H2SH as the series backdrop. The first issue of this series did not spoil what exactly happened in H2SH. That was for the best given the massive delays the latest Batman “epic” has faced. To Fraction and Jimenez credit they utilized the chance of their run being a relaunch for the series to have a fresh start. That includes Bruce Wayne going with new approaches as he is solo once again. Let’s see what happens next with Batman #2.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Jorge Jimenez
Colorist: Tomeu Morey
Letterers: Clayton Cowles and Jorge Jimenez
BATMAN #2 SOLICITATION
“Injured, cuffed, and tossed in the back of a GCPD paddy wagon with a dozen uncuffed and violent criminals, Robin (Tim Drake) will have to use everything he’s learned from the Dark Knight if he hopes to survive his own dark night.
Will Batman arrive in time to help him, or will this mission change the way the city and the GCPD view the Dynamic Duo forever?” – DC Comics
HIGHLIGHTS OF BATMAN #2
Bruce Wayne Battling an Evolving Gotham City
Matt Fraction is keeping one of the most consistent parts about Batman mythos since the New 52 era. That is how Bruce Wayne deals with a Gotham City that continues to evolve. It isn’t just evolving in response to Batman as its protector. It is evolving in a direction that hints at how the city will eventually become Neo Gotham. Fraction does a lot to continue that direction with how Bruce is now operating as Batman during the daylight. The way this is characterized is Bruce responding to how Gotham City is evolving rather than the other way around.
Vandal Savage Shaping Gotham City in his Image
A big part of Gotham City’s continued evolution is Vandal Savage. Ever since he became Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department Vandal has not hesitated to use his new power. He has quickly established his influence to be the most powerful person in Gotham City. That allows Fraction to integrate some real world elements into the story without making it seem as though he is injecting his voice too it. Vandal Savage is a natural to have as a tyrant for Batman and Robin to overcome.
Tim Drake Soft Reboot as Robin
Speaking of Robin, these first two issues of Fraction and Jimenez run has felt like they are doing a soft reboot for Tim’s character. Tim has been in a state of flux due to the lack of success comic books he is in the last few years. Here we see that even when injured and handcuffed Tim is still not someone to take lightly. Tim not only held his own but defeated all the bad guys he was locked up with in the prison truck. Doing that before Batman rescued him is a reminder that Tim’s Robin is a badass.
Jorge Jimenez Vibrant Artwork
Jorge Jimenez has firmly stamped himself as the Batman artist for this era of the franchise. Having Jimenez around for multiple creative runs has helped established the modern vibe of Gotham City. It’s helping Fractions work a lot to have this consistent look kept up. It creates a feeling that a consistent narrative is being had as we transition from one writer to the next.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK IN BATMAN #2
Slow Burn Start Not for Everyone
The pacing of Batman #2 may not be for everyone. Fraction does employ a slow burn approach with his storytelling. That does make it feel at certain points we aren’t progressing very much. The pacing may have been able to be picked up to be able to combine these first two issue to into one issue that was a few extra pages than the normal comic.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Batman #2 works well to continue to establish the way Matt Fraction is following up on what his predecessors established. Fraction creates compelling voices for Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake, and Vandal Savage that adds to how Gotham City is changing. Having Jorge Jimenez around helps to keep that sense of progression from recent storylines.
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
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