[[“value”:”Batman: Dark Age #6 cover, via DC Comics.
Ray – 9.5/10
Ray: There have been a few delays along the way, but the second chapter of Mark Russell’s unique alternate-reality take on the DCU delivers in just about every way. It’s been ambiguous, but this issue does make pretty clear – we are seeing the full story of the Batman of Superman: Space Age, which ties into the ambiguous way that one ended, with Superman essentially creating a new world out of the end of the old one. But we’re not there yet – and as this issue opens, we see Batman try to build a new life as he ages. He’s forged a bond with Dick Grayson, who is now in love with Barbara Gordon. That gives Bruce the push to settle down with Selina. The two start a family together, and Bruce puts Batman to rest – cutting a deal with the criminals of the city to keep them away from the innocent and disenfranchised, and letting the cops deal with the rest. It’s an interesting look at a key question – could Batman ever walk away?
But of course, we know something’s lurking in the background – the literal end of the world, which only Pariah knows about. But before that plot fully intersects with Batman, the Joker has emerged to terrorize Gotham – and hold Wayne Enterprises responsible for his pain. This story fuses a lot of different versions of Joker together, and creates one of the more sympathetic and tragic ones. I’m usually not a fan of stories that try to create a more sympathetic Joker, but Russell manages to pull something off that reminds me of the story Snyder told with the character in his last act. It all comes together for one of the most emotional codas DC has put together in a long time. This series had a little too much exposition and infodumping at times, trying to wrangle an incredibly ambitious story, but Russell and Allred pulled it together and delivered two phenomenal minis. More to come? We can hope.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
“]] The end of the world is coming, but Batman’s world may end first in this final chapter. Read More