BATMAN

By: KURT AMACKER
Review Date: Saturday, July 01, 2006

BATMAN #654 concludes the eight-part FACE THE FACE arc and the first ONE YEAR LATER story, portraying the events following INFINITE CRISIS and 52. At the start of the arc, reinstated Commissioner Jim Gordon makes a passing reference to certain terrible events from that time, but the reader never learns much more. We did learn very quickly that Batman had returned to Gotham after leaving Harvey Dent to keep the peace in his absence. Unfortunately, a few of Batman's rogues gallery showed up with twin bullet wounds to the head -- ones reminiscent of a double-barreled pistol Two Face once used. Despite the obvious implication, Batman believed Harvey innocent. Only, Harvey didn't believe him, and Two Face came calling. Last issue, Dent mutilated his face with acid and a scalpel. This issue, he emerges in the full throes of his insanity, as Batman hunts the man who framed his friend-turned-criminal. Batman also decides what to do with Tim Drake in the wake of his father's death, but I won't spoil it for you.

Harvey Dent returning to Two Face again is old hat. It's been done before, and it will probably happen again. In fact, the entire frame-up plot feels a bit tired. It hasn't been terrible or anything, but it really feels like more of the same. That said, James Robinson offered a few interesting character moments, namely showing that the now-dead super-villain Orca was married to a fairly normal guy, with a house out in the suburbs. Harvey has a few prolonged conversations with himself in the mirror, seeing Two Face rather than himself. On it's face, it seems clever enough. But, it only reinforces the idea that Harvey will probably never regain control of his mind. Robinson also introduced a new supporting player -- Jason Bard, a detective meant to serve as Batman's daytime conduit. Thus far, the character shows promise, but it remains to be seen if oncoming writer Grant Morrison will even use him.


I admit the twist with Tim Drake at the end of this issue surprised me. While it seems like a logical conclusion for Bruce Wayne's relationship with the series of young men that have donned Robin's mantle, it could also just be a cheap play for attention if not handled correctly. Given that the whole thing happens in the last two pages of the issue (though Robinson foreshadowed it earlier in the arc), I can't judge where future writers will take it. It could be great, or it could be easily forgotten. We'll just have to see how much of this stuff Morrison keeps for his run on the title.


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