It has been three and a half months since the last issue, with news of an additional issue added too. We delve into issue #6, but is it good?
Dark Knight III: The Master Race #6 (DC Comics)
So what’s it about? Though short the official preview has a bit of a summary.
Why does this book matter?
Most definitely better than the Dark Knight Returns sequel by a long shot, this series also features the fantastic art of Adam Kubert with writing from both Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello. Need we say more?
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Is it just me or does Superman look silly?
After dusting off issue #5 so as to be reminded what is going on in the series, it turns out this issue is basically one long action sequence showcasing the bad guys getting their butts kicked. Batman cleverly shot Kryptonite into a cloud that has drenched the “Master Race” and thoroughly weakened them. Both in armor suits, Superman and Batman get to kick the leader’s right-hand man’s butt whilst Gotham beats up the rest. The best sequence follows Carrie in her green and purple costume as she takes on a Kryptonian herself. It not only involves an exciting tank sequence, but a fun call back to her slingshot days.
Adam Kubert does a bang up job throughout this issue with plenty of homages to Dark Knight Returns and lots of clever layouts. In one, we see close-ups of Kryptonite and the Kryptonian cutting back and forth as the rock gets closer to its target. In the last panel we see Carrie, horribly scared and holding her breath, which leads to the impact. It’s a nice bit of pacing that enhances an otherwise small moment in the issue.
Kubert also does a good job with the final pages which will have everyone talking. I’m avoiding spoilers, but let’s just say it’s a big callback to Dark Knight Returns and how it ended. Using floating panels over larger images Kubert conveys smaller moments that lead to a Batman oversight.
It can’t be perfect can it?
This is very much a fight book and not much more. All the complexities of the previous issues like Superman’s daughter or media chatter either are barely touched upon or feel shoehorned in. Sure it’s fun to see Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in the book, but it’s not as cohesive or necessary as it was in Dark Knight Returns.
The last few pages, while a nice homage, seem way too easy. Maybe there’s a big revelation on the horizon, but Batman’s seeming mistake is there to progress the plot rather than feel earned.
Ouch!
Is It Good?
The nuance and complexity seems to have disapeared in favor of a fight comic. If you dig fight comics you’ll dig this with plenty bombastic sequences and good timing.
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