Readers are getting not one, but two issues of the digital first Batman: Arkham Knight prequel comic this week as it paves the way for the video game of the same name this summer.
The first issue picked up right where the game Batman: Arkham City ended, introduced us to Batman's primary new antagonist and revealed we haven't seen the last of Joker after all.
Spoilers for issue #1 and Batman: Arkham City Below
Issue #2 jumps forward in time a few days after the events of issue #1 and Arkham City. Batman takes a backseat this issue and Bruce Wayne takes his place, as he meets with Gotham's leaders to discuss the future of the city and announce a new initiative that he hopes city officials will rally behind. This board meeting scene serves as the perfect introduction to the "Arkham" setting developer Rocksteady has created for their games, as Bruce recaps the events of Arkham City's origins at the hands of then mayor, now ex-mayor, Hugo Strange.
It's a great jumping on point for readers who are just now diving into this stand-alone Batman universe and a good refresher for those who played the game when it originally released in 2011. Last issue Alfred lectured Bruce about hanging up the cowl and how he could accomplish more as Bruce Wayne than as Batman, something Bruce scoffed at. But it turns out Alfred was right.
Bruce seems to have the attention of Gotham's leaders, and with his wealth and influence can bring some real positive changes to the city. It's here -- between Bruce and Alfred -- that the issue's best dialogue exchange takes place, as Alfred smugly in his own way tells Bruce "I told you so." Writer Peter J. Tomasi definitely has a good understanding of these characters and their relationships from his stint on Batman & Robin in the mainstream DC Universe.
We liked the first issue in our three star review, but that endorsement did come with a warning. Last issue looked to meddle with Arkham City's near perfect ending -- a major cause for concern. Thankfully, issue #2 shines some light on what exactly is going on and it isn't as bad as it seemed, though it isn't exactly great either. Joker seems to crafted a plan that in the case of his death will broadcast his last will and testament over Gotham's airwaves. Oh, and he rigged the city with bombs.
Joker claims to have hidden the defusal codes within Arkham Asylum, prompting Batman to investigate. It's not a terribly original idea. While it doesn't undo the ending of Arkham City, it all has a very "been there, done that" feel to it that makes it easy to wonder why it is being done in the first place.
Issue #2 doesn't much the plot forward too much beyond Batman heading to Arkham. It's a dialogue heavy issue but one that doesn't do much to advance the story. Bruce talks for several pages about the need to rebuild Gotham and his plan to do so, but doesn't actually elaborate in any way as to what that plan is. We don't get to hear much from Joker -- his bomb plan is actually explained by Batman to Oracle as he drives to Arkham. Penguin makes a brief appearance, along with a memorable duo from the games, to scheme, but we don't really know what he's up to either.
If there is one improvement in issue #2 over the first, it's Victor Bogdanovic's artwork. Everything looks crisper and cleaner in this issue when compared to the first, especially Bogdanovic's facial work. It's a solid second issue that helps readers get reacquainted with Rocksteady's Batman universe. So far it succeeds in being a perfectly suitable tie-in comic, and at 99 cents an issue it's hard to complain too much. Let's just hope as the series moves forward it can eventually become something more.
Story
★★★☆☆
Art
★★★★☆
Overall
★★★☆☆
