review: A new Batman for post-No Man's Land Gotham.

February 17, 2000

ISSUE #2: Down with the Ship
Man, he looks grim. Writer: Devin Grayson Art: Dale Eaglesham Inker: John Floyd Click on the cover image to see a larger version.
	REVIEW: When Batgirl goes to town, she goes to town. The new Batgirl, adopted child of the assassin that trained Batman, is getting on-the-job training with Bruce. She's good. Almost all too good. Robin she's not, because even Batman realizes she's got the skills already, but not the restraint. And that's where her danger lies. When Batman and Batgirl come across a sinking slaver ship, Batgirl throws herself into saving everybody, even if it costs her her life. And that's what humanizes this story so well. Amidst the Titanic-esque hijinks the two go through to save everyone is the struggle to give Batgirl a will to live. Batman, recognizing the self-hatred in her mind, tried to move her past it, and to move her crusade from a penance into a calling. Great writing, great pencils and inks for a classic baptism of fire story. I also can't wait to see who's writing those file notes. --Jeff Chen
	Recommendation:	BUY IT!

ISSUE #1: Constants
A great look for a new beginning. Click on the cover image to see a larger version. Writer: Devin K. Grayson Penciller: Dale Eaglesham Inker: John Floyd
	REVIEW: No Man's Land is over! In the space of a month, it's gone from an urban wasteland to a fully rebuilt metropolis (no pun intended). Even Batman's costume has undergone renovation, losing the "Prince of Darkness" grimness and going back to a modernized 60s costume with shorter ears and the classic black bat on the chest. However, even Batman has scars left over. The case he deals with this issue has the death of a Senator and his wife, leaving a son behind. The parallels between his life and the boy's is obvious, to the point that Batman develops a blind spot to the clues clearly left by the murderer. What occurs is an emotionally charged interchange between Batman and his extended Bat-family as they all see what he refuses to admit. The grim and gritty murder forces him to deal with the fact that he's been trying too hard to keep Gotham the same as it was in his childhood, and while the story is predictable, two of its results bode well for this new series' future. Batman admits that his past has gone and it's time to move onto a new Gotham, and we discover that there's somebody that's just as willing to spy on the Caped Crusader as Bataman does on the rest of the Justice League. Intrigue and personal growth all around. --Jeff Chen
	Recommendation:	BORROW IT!

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