Post by Batdan on May 24, 2005 19:50:52 GMT -5
Well, my nagging fears were realized with this issue, the second of six in the miniseries: The ol' boys just ain't what they used to be.
After waiting decades for the follow-up to the classic Englehart-Rogers 'Tec arc, I'm increasingly disappointed with this sequel. The second issue only compounded the problems I sensed in the first.
For starters:
-- Again, the Rogers-Austin art, which was so striking and inventive the first time around has deteriorated. There's an unfinished sketchiness to it -- very unlike the cleverly detailed and precise linework of the original.
-- Englehart's story is choppy and flat. The original story delved maturely into the nature of Bruce's sacrifice to become Batman: that to fight his war on crime, he must live without love. In this issue, he and Silver rehash their breakup then go on a tour of the Batcave that turns positively loopy because the Scarecrow hid some kind of fear tablet in Batman's costume. Then they make love on the floor. The whole thing felt positively forced, without the tension and longing so powerful in the original story.
-- Good golly, who picked out Silver's wardrobe? Have these guys seen a woman since 1985? She looks ridiculous. (No excuse that this is a sequel of a '70s story -- the pop culture and tech references are current).
-- The most hollow note, however, was Two-Face confronting the Joker and warning him against desecrating the office of governor because he respects lawfully held offices since he was once a D.A. This boggles the mind.
About the only thing this series has going for it so far is the great, two-page panorama of the Batcave in this issue. And it was interesting to learn that Bruce is a Democrat, or at least is supporting one for governor this time around.
Anyway, so far, so disappointing.
And this pains me to say, believe me.
I'll muddle on, for now, but grudgingly.
After waiting decades for the follow-up to the classic Englehart-Rogers 'Tec arc, I'm increasingly disappointed with this sequel. The second issue only compounded the problems I sensed in the first.
For starters:
-- Again, the Rogers-Austin art, which was so striking and inventive the first time around has deteriorated. There's an unfinished sketchiness to it -- very unlike the cleverly detailed and precise linework of the original.
-- Englehart's story is choppy and flat. The original story delved maturely into the nature of Bruce's sacrifice to become Batman: that to fight his war on crime, he must live without love. In this issue, he and Silver rehash their breakup then go on a tour of the Batcave that turns positively loopy because the Scarecrow hid some kind of fear tablet in Batman's costume. Then they make love on the floor. The whole thing felt positively forced, without the tension and longing so powerful in the original story.
-- Good golly, who picked out Silver's wardrobe? Have these guys seen a woman since 1985? She looks ridiculous. (No excuse that this is a sequel of a '70s story -- the pop culture and tech references are current).
-- The most hollow note, however, was Two-Face confronting the Joker and warning him against desecrating the office of governor because he respects lawfully held offices since he was once a D.A. This boggles the mind.
About the only thing this series has going for it so far is the great, two-page panorama of the Batcave in this issue. And it was interesting to learn that Bruce is a Democrat, or at least is supporting one for governor this time around.
Anyway, so far, so disappointing.
And this pains me to say, believe me.
I'll muddle on, for now, but grudgingly.
