The penultimate issue of Mark Russell and Michael Allred’s retelling of the Batman mythos set in a backdrop of actual historical events reaches a crescendo in the fifth issue. As we saw in the previous installment, Ra’s al Ghul has come to Gotham to destroy Batman and has already struck a devastating blow. Who will Batman turn to in his most desperate hour? The answer may surprise.
Bruce reminisces about his mother.
DC Comics
The Story
The issue begins with a short flashback to 1952 and Martha Wayne’s humanitarian work. The evils she witnessed in the world, working to clean up landmines in war zones was too much for her, and she ended up in Arkham Asylum. It’s a poignant story about how the world can crush those who are more sensitive. One of the best parts about this series is its oversized issues that really allow the story to breathe and explore these types of important mental health issues.
Returning to 1976, Bruce is struggling to deal with the return of Ra’s Al Ghul and the new war he finds himself embroiled in. Someone close to him dies in the Arkham fire, and he turns to the Hall of Justice seeking help. His timing, though, couldn’t be worse. Brainiac has revealed to the superheroes that Anti-Monitor will be coming in less than 10 years to destroy the universe, but he would be coming sooner to strip the Earth of its resources. In this light, the problems of one city seem ultimately meaningless. It highlights the stakes and the isolation Batman faces in his fight for Gotham. Bruce, however, can’t let his city go without a fight.
Enlisting the help of Catwoman, Penguin, and Riddler, Batman concocts a plan to defeat Ra’s, who has recently taken control of the Faceless Society as well as Wayne Enterprises. The conclusion is satisfying, if somewhat rushed and with just one issue left I’m wondering how exactly Brainiac and Anti-Monitor are thwarted.
Allred does a wonderful job with pacing and balancing the plot with action and character beats. Confrontations with the False Face Society, the Mad Hatter’s henchmen and even a run in with Catwoman keep the adrenaline pumping, while quieter moments conversing with the Justice League, or flashbacks to Bruce’s childhood strike a more somber and pensive tone. Catching up with Barbara and Jim Gordon was a nice chance to flesh out Gotham and its denizens, while humanizing Bruce and leading him to appreciate his more personal missions that can seem unnecessary in the face of “bigger” problems.
Batman and Robin once more unto the breach.
DC Comics
The Art
Michael and Laura Allred knock it out of the park in this issue. We see two new Batsuit designs: one specialized for fighting flames, and another, a sleek all-black version reminiscent of Michael Keaton’s suit in the 1989 Batman film. The ears on the cowl as well as the grey bat symbol make it stand apart from the Keaton version just enough to make it a unique and interesting design. Other highlights include the facial expressions in the short flashback to 1952. You can really see the emotion and anguish in the faces of Thomas, Martha and a young Bruce as they struggle with Martha’s mental health issues. The several full page splash pages come at perfect moments to really punctuate the storytelling. One featuring Brainiac and Anti-Monitor with a psychedelic space background and Batman standing resolute in-between them really stands out as a fantastic composition showing the scale of the threat that this universe faces. The acrobatics of Catwoman as well as Batman are well executed and really gives a sense of movement and agility.
There’s some real fantastic work done with lighting in this issue as well. Spotlights are formed by car headlights or overhead lights, creating intriguing focal points and striking contrasts between light and shadow. The way certain lights have a realistic glare adds to the noir atmosphere of back alley meetings and warehouse kidnappings. Even the Bat-signal is beautifully rendered in the night sky. Flames play an important role in the beginning and end of the issue, and one of the most unsettling images of the book so far involves just that.
Final Thoughts
Batman: Dark Age #5 masterfully builds on the momentum of the series, bringing the story to a fever pitch as Bruce Wayne faces his most desperate hour. Mark Russell and Michael Allred’s retelling of the Batman mythos continues to impress with its rich narrative and stunning artwork.
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