Tom King and David Marquez launched a new Batman series last month that played with time in a cool way, hence the title. Batman: Killing Time #2 is out this week, further developing the mystery around what Riddler and Catwoman stole as well as how they stole it. There’s also the question of seeing events transpire in 1157 B.C. that has got to have readers scratching their heads. Will answers be given, or will the mystery continue to flourish?
The short answer is that the mystery continues, of course, because this book is mostly a mystery and character discovery narrative — this isn’t quite an in-continuity Catwoman and thus every character has a little something extra thrown in. That includes Joker, who makes a quick appearance and looks far younger and more hipster than in the main continuity.
The overall mystery continues to be titillating and if you’re looking for answers you’ll find them in how Riddler and Catwoman got here. The story continues to jump around in time, cutting between scenes that take place in the same moment or jumping back and forth thousands of years. I know some find the narrative jumping frustrating, but you gotta roll with it and enjoy the play. You don’t often see comics change location and time on every page.
Morrison wing…that can’t be a coincidence.
Credit: DC Comics
This issue actually starts in the year 1156 B.C. which puts a little more emphasis on that era. It’s unclear what we’re supposed to take from it, but it’s starting to become clearer it may have something to do with the mystery item Catwoman and Riddler stole.
Speaking of Catwoman, she steals the show in this issue as we get to see her at different times and how her actions lead to her sitting in a cabin ready to kill Riddler out of boredom. The characterization of Riddler and Batman is also good as it’s ever so slightly different from the norm.
Ultimately this series continues to be a delight in playing with time not just in captions, but in the moments in between the gutters. A key scene with Batman listening to a woman goes on and on only for him to correct her on how to pronounce his name is proof of that. Slowing moments down seems to be a theme in this issue with multiple scenes letting us take in violence or characters reacting to things.
That play with time is starting to grow a bit more tiresome in this issue because there’s less payoff. In fact, there was a big hint in regards to Riddler’s beating of Penguin last issue that is further revealed as a turn of events here. A little something more could have made the issue pay off in a more satisfying way. That said, this is clearly going to be the best read in one sitting.
Marquez is a master at framing this issue, and in high detail at that. The detail ranges from gorgeous to deeply effective. The character acting is exceptional and it’s some of the best Batman pages of the year.
Fans of comics craft will continue to enjoy the time shifts and framing in Batman: Killing Time #2. The story could use a little more payoff and it’s not helped by characters sitting around quite a bit, but it certainly won’t lose your interest for answers to its mysteries.
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