This week, the best gang-related Batman series is back with Batman: The Long Halloween – The Last Halloween #2. A new mystery is afoot while Batman and Robin follow the crumbs, and in this second issue, they head to Arkham Asylum.
This issue opens with Solomon Grundy being thrown off a boat in deep water. Another victim is in someone’s crosshairs, and it’s up to Batman and Robin to figure out who. The story is plotted well, with plenty of scene changes and a nice balance between Batman’s assertive focus and Robin’s curiosity.
Joining writer Jeph Loeb on the second issue is Klaus Janson, with mainstays Dave Stewart on colors and Richard Starkings on lettering and design. The artist change isn’t too jarring since it’s a natural chapter break, and Jason does an exceptional job with key scenes and characters. Possibly my favorite depiction is Penguin, who is short, menacing, and a bit of a wild card. In a key scene, we see Batman chase him, and there are some splashy moments as Penguin moves quickly, but not quickly enough.
Batman is intense!
Credit: DC Comics
Once again, Sale’s art is missed, but Janson does a great job capturing the spirit of Sale via costumes like Catwoman’s. Props to him for the French Connection homage. The rooftop GCPD scene is also well done, with the snowfall adding a cold vibe that links up with the month’s past chapters.
Something that irked me a bit is the relationship between Batman and Robin. As it stands, it’s more like Robin is a nuisance to Batman, or at least just there. Batman brings Robin to Arkham at one point, and it’s made clear this is the first time Robin has been there as a lesson, yet Batman pretty much ignores him. There’s little development between the two or between Batman and anyone. A relationship between Gordon and Catwoman is hinted at, but mostly surface level.
Regarding the overall mystery, we’ll need to wait to get more pieces to the puzzle. This issue delivers a lot of clues, but there isn’t a driving villain or enemy to root against. This issue is more about overcomplicating Batman’s mission as the FBI gets involved and will likely put him on the run in some capacity—props to Loeb and Starkings for hiding a clue in some dialogue later in the issue.
It’s hard to say where Batman: The Long Halloween—The Last Halloween is going two issues in, as the number of characters and loose ends is piling up, but it’s pretty obvious we’re getting another stellar chapter in the iconic comics line.
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