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J.H. WILLIAMS III INTERVIEW
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BATMAN CRIME JAZZ
Title: Detective Comics #853 “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader, Part 2"
Written by: Neil Gaiman
Art by: Andy Kubert and Scott Williams;
Cover by: Andy Kubert
Release Date: April 22, 2009 Price: $3.99
Official DC Comics Synopsis:
"Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?" part 2 of 2! This second part of Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert's special collaboration is sure to be a BATMAN story for the ages. This extraordinary tale, told as only Gaiman and Kubert can, explores the intricate relationships between Bruce Wayne and his friends and adversaries and builds toward an exciting and unexpected climax. It's a classic in the making
REVIEW BY: Jamie Desrochers
When I had heard Neil Gaiman was writing a story titled Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader and would have a similar feel to its counterpart written by Alan Moore in the 1980’s, I was over-joyed. With ‘Tec #852 and the first part of the story, three things jumped out at me:
1- This was a mystery we had to figure out (“You’re the world’ greatest detective…you figure it out”)
2- The story was riddled with homage’s to the various incarnations/versions of Batman as well as his allies and Rogues
3- This was a kick-ass story so far
The fist part of this two part story was filled with easter eggs and eye-candy. If the mystery surrounding this story was not obvious (who wants to spoil the story so early!), one thing was clear…this story seemed to encompass nearly every type of Batman related character in every medium he’s ever appeared in. B:TAS Joker. The Batman TV series Riddler. The Cat (First appearance Catwoman for the whos at home).
While this part took a long time to come out, I’m pleased to say that it was worth the wait. SO. WORTH. THE. WAIT.
SPOILER TIME!
This is a Batman story arc for the ages, as solicited. The story continues the revolving-door of Batman allies and rogues, each describing how they witnessed the “death” of Batman. Each time, the story varies…the costumes vary… and the era varies. Bruce is witness to his own funeral, but being the great detective he is, he knows that something is out of place. He doesn’t deny the stories told by Clayface, Bullock, Dick Grayson, Ra’s and Superman, but much like the ever-changing costume in his coffin, Bruce gets a different death from each of the eulogies. The entire time he continues to have a conversation with a presence…a woman… though he’s not sure who she may be.
The story then moves into some of the best Batman story-telling I’ve ever read. Martha Wayne asked Bruce what he has learned from this near-death experience. Bruce then makes the point of explaining what Batman is, regardless of the era or story. Bruce has learned that he will ALWAYS be Batman, he will always protect Gotham and he will never give up. EVER. He may be down and out at times, but he always manages comes back to fight another day….until the day he dies. He doesn’t retire. He fights to the bitter end.
While Martha explains to Bruce that there are some constants in the Universe, we see a flashback of a time when Bruce was truly happy….reading a book on his mother’s lap. This touching scene can only ever end in pain though, as one constant is that The Waynes always die. That is what causes Bruce to become The Batman. In every version of the story, this MUST happen. And every time, he’ll try to avenge them until the day he dies.
At this point, it is time for Bruce to go. As Bruce doesn’t believe in an after-life, he’s unsure of what happens next. Martha explains to him that he doesn’t go to heaven or hell. For him, all there is, forever, is Batman. And now it is time for him to move on. In a touching scene where Bruce says “goodnight” to all the things he loves, the Bat-cave, his allies, his enemies and Gotham, we get the full scope of how much Bruce has affected not only the lives of the people in his fictional universe, but ourselves. Batman is engrained in our culture. ….and this is his ultimate tribute.
As Bruce says goodnight to the Bat-symbol, it transforms into a pair of hands reaching into the womb and delivering a baby in some of the most interesting imagery I’ve ever seen in comics. As he has so many times before, Bruce Wayne is born again. And the story ends…or begins anew.
SPOILERS OFF!
Put aside where this fits in continuity. Forget if this ties into Final Crisis and RIP. Undo your panties out of their knot. It doesn’t fit in continuity. And yet, it does!
Andy Kubert’s art is spectacular. Hands-down some of the best stuff I’ve seen from him. He captures the different versions of Batman perfectly and he imitates the different art of Bolland, Miller, Aparo and Sprang (to name a few) enough for you to know which era he is representing.
This is just a story about the enduring spirit of Batman. Gaiman presents to us every version of Batman we are familiar with and shows us that they are ALL Bruce Wayne and that they are ALL correct.
The Good: “Goodnight, Bat-symbol”
The Bad: NONE
The Ugly: NONE
SCORE: 5/5
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