Josh Williamson and Jorge Molina have got us asking questions about Abyss, and in part two out today Batman gets a bit closer to figuring out who he is. It just might cost him dearly. It’s a mystery that is entangled with Lex Luthor, so you know it’ll be dramatic as hell! Plus, Batman #119 also features a backup by Karl Kerschl focused on Mia Mizoguchi!
Starting off, this book looks as sharp as ever under artists Jorge Molina, Mikel Janin, and Adriano Di Benedetto with colors by Tomeu Morey. The art is detailed, very clean, and embodies the moody edge one expects from a Batman book. The art style changes ever so slightly as the story carries forward, with an edgier ending, but it certainly looks the part as DC Comics’ primo character and title. The closing page is particularly striking and may have you even gasping.
But I’m getting ahead of myself, as this story opens with Bruce Wayne and Alfred discussing the idea of a man who dresses like a bat. It’s used to convey the fact that Batman must fight bad guys in the dead of night as well as in broad daylight. That’s where Lex Luthor comes in, and there are some interesting points made as to the two face off.
This leads to an interesting scene with Lex and Bruce Wayne in an expensive rooftop restaurant. Williamson uses a clever device to show not only how rich Lex is, but also how callous and uncaring he can be. There’s a bit of a cat and mouse game going on here, and while it’s a touch jarring that Lex looks very different than in a previous scene, the point is well made.
He kinda looks like Mark Strong.
Credit: DC Comics
Closing out the main Batman chapter is a scene involving Batman at a morgue. Again, Batman looks hulking and thick at the start and slimmed down later, but the scene plays out well. It all leads to a cliffhanger that pushes Batman in an entirely new way. Make no mistake, Abyss looks cool as hell.
Kerschl’s backup is great too, especially the voice of Mia through captions. Written as if from her notebook, Mia’s voice speaks directly to us about her experience and her desire to find her missing friend. Enter Mia with a Robin costume into the night! Kerschl captures the spunk of Mia and her heroic bravado, even if it’s a bit too dangerous for her. Kerschl draws Batman in the blue cowl and he looks great. Colors by John Rauch add a lot of life to faces and whimsical quality to the story.
There’s a lot going for Batman #119 between the primo art, the great backup, and the continued intrigue of Abyss. While the art can be jarringly different from scene to scene, the mystery and where Batman ends up is enticing, and you’ll be thirsty for more.
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