4. Batman: Black And White #2 By Various (DC)
The second bumper issue in the relaunched Batman Black and White series has lots to recommend it but a couple of flaws in it that keep me from ranking it higher. Dan DiDio kicks things off with an unfortunately miserable story of child molestation and Manbat, a theme which sits very awkwardly with Batman, in the strangely titled Manbat Out of Hell which makes it seem more funny that it turns out to be. The issue finds its footing though with the first of the talented Rafaels, Rafael Grampa, whose story, Into The Circle, has some absolutely gorgeous art and a nice twist at the end. Joker is sending street gangs to Wayne Manor to rob it for some reason while you-know-who is waiting in the darkness to nab them - but why? The second Rafael, American Vampire co-creator Rafael Albuquerque, contributes another lovely looking comic of a mythical quality as a seemingly dead Batman navigates the river Styx, reliving his nightmares in A Place In Between. Jeff Lemire's story Winter's End is disappointingly very average at best and sees Batman taking out henchmen while wearing an ice-suit. The art is definitely going to divide fans - it looks like storyboard art but more stylised. I kind of like the difference when compared to the two Rafaels' more accomplished work as Alex Nino's stuff looks more experimental which an anthology like this should have, but I think it's going to annoy some people. The book closes with the brilliant Silent Knight... Unholy Knight! written by Michael Uslan with art by Dave Bullock. The story is framed like a classic silent movie with the original Batman design used with Batman striking classic poses from the 40s, as he battles new villain Silent Knight who is acting out because of his parents dying at the hands of some thug in Crime Alley - sound familiar? The comic holds up a mirror to Batman, showing how things could've gone for him if he wasn't Bruce Wayne, once more underlining why Batman could only successfully be Bruce Wayne. I really love the art too, Bullock's layouts are perfect and I love his use of classic Batman comics elements incorporated into the story like the classic Bat-head Batmobile. There are some good stories in this issue but the art is definitely the best reason to pick up this one. Batman Black and White #2 is an excellent addition to the series.