Title: I am Whatever You Say I am
Written by Joe Harris
Art by Jim Calafiore
Cover by Ladronn
Letters by Swands
Colors by Guy Major
Assistant Editor - Harvey Richards
Editor - Michael Siglain
Published - April 1st 2009
Publish Price - $2.99

Official DC Comics Synopsis:
Spinning out of the events in BATTLE FOR THE COWL, Gotham City is in chaos and the villains of Arkham Asylum are running amok. One such villain is the evil Doctor Phosphorus who seeks out another scientist in this one-shot to help him grow even more powerful. But when that scientist is Kirk Langstrom, a.k.a. Man-Bat, Doctor Phosphorus – and all of Gotham – will get much more than they bargained for!

REVIEW: by karatetchr

I always prefer monsters that symbolize aspects of personality that speak to our humanity. Universal Studios made movies about creatures that provoked both compassion and revulsion because there was something in ourselves that we recognized in them. Man-Bat squarely falls in this category, somewhere near Drs. Jekyll, Griffin, and Frankenstein, who were simultaneously symbols for science and inner human forces run amok. That’s why the title “I Am Whatever You Say I Am” struck a chord right off the (ahem) bat.

The opening nightmare sequence was a succinct way to both introduce the character to new readers and show the fundamental forces weighing on Dr. Kirk Langstrom as he makes his presence felt in the chaos of Gotham City; a Gotham City that is being overrun by gangs out to ransack the metropolis left without its Dark Knight protector. Awakening to discover that his wife, Francine, has responded to a distress call, he searches for her and for answers to his questions of belonging and self doubt. Along the way, he confronts Lynx, the Outsiders, Dr. Phosphorus, and ultimately himself. The outcome leaves his future cast in shadow as he is haunted by Batman’s presence over his shoulder, in his dreams and through his inner voice.

Writer Joe Harris and artist Jim Calafiore serve up an entertaining, moody, well paced story that is one of the best in the “Battle for the Cowl” bannered books published to date. The cover art by Ladrönn is repeatedly eye catching with its eerie ambience.

SCORE: 3/5