The inaugural Two-Face series by writer Christian Ward and artist Fabio Veras reaches its final issue, and while the story wraps up some threads, a few still linger. This series has introduced intriguing new concepts: the White Church, Two-Face’s daughter Die, Lake Cantwell, and the mysterious Shadow Hand. The latter has been a persistent force opposing Harvey Dent’s attempts to control Gotham’s underworld through the White Church’s trials. Now that the Shadow Hand is on trial, the question remains: will there be a clean verdict, or will other loose ends complicate the outcome?
DC
I’ll start with the cover by Baldemar Rivas, which is wonderfully done. It perfectly captures Harvey Dent’s worst fear, his inner demon, Two-Face, breaking free. The struggle between Dent and his alter ego has been central to this series, and Ward crafts a conflict that stays fresh and relevant without feeling repetitive. But before we dive into that, let’s pick up where the cliffhanger from last issue left off, with Batman making a literal appearance for a chat. While the guest spot felt more like shock value than awe, I appreciated how it continued to build on the New 52 history of Bruce Wayne and Harvey Dent being childhood friends. Dent’s narration about their relationship provides a unique perspective on the struggles that arose when he clashed with Batman.
There’s more interaction between Harvey and his newfound daughter, Die, but not as much as I’d hoped. I liked the moment when Die challenges Dent’s fears, suggesting that Two-Face could take control of things and lock Dent away. Unfortunately, their relationship doesn’t get the exploration it deserves, and I wish there had been more depth there. Similarly, Dent’s relationship with his mother, which could have added another layer to his internal conflict, remains underdeveloped. That said, Die calls out Dent’s paternal instincts toward Lake Cantwell, highlighting the emotional divide between Dent and Two-Face.
DC
Ward and Veras also deliver a striking visual for Mister Zsasz, whose tally marks relentlessly demand another victim. The final verdict regarding the Shadow Hand ties back to the first issue’s trial, offering a twisted re-enactment that provides a fitting resolution for this arc. Ultimately, this has been an enjoyable series that delves into Harvey Dent’s internal struggle. It would’ve been nice to see more exploration of his relationship with his mother and his daughter, but Ward has created a version of Dent that’s compelling and multi-faceted. With Batman: City of Madness also featuring Two-Face, I’m curious to see more of Ward’s take on the character. Maybe it’ll offer a deeper dive into this version of Dent that we’ve only just scratched the surface of here.
Christian Ward and Fabio Veras’ Two-Face series wrap up with some loose ends, but a few remain. The final issue brings the Shadow Hand to trial at the White Church, and Harvey Dent’s internal struggle is almost annihilated. Harvey is so close, but his only ally is in dire danger, so what will Harvey sacrifice to win? An entertaining battle to see who the stronger half is makes for a compelling situation for this series, but sadly, some relationships could have been interesting to explore more. Overall, an engaging series with room for more, but an engaging exploration into Dent vs. Face.
You must be logged in to post a comment.