Graphic Novel Review... A Batman Book
Batman Streets of Gotham The House of Hush,
By Paul Dini, Dustin Nguyen & Derek Fridolfs, DC Comics
BATMAN IS missing. A childhood friend of his alter-ego Bruce Wayne has had facial surgery and is impersonating him, though all and sundry seem to know and are making sure he doesn’t get up to too much trouble...
The whys and wherefores of this are never quite explained and it’s something you should do in a book collection for those who don’t purchase the regular comics; not only because it’s good manners to ensure no one feels left out, but it also makes for good business – upset the occasional purchaser and they won’t be bothered to come back. Especially when you produce something as an expensive hardback. I call this Marvel Comics disease, and all I can do is tut that DC has not paid as much attention as they should here, and suggest they slap a few wrists, presumably of editors and marketing departments.
However, those same hands should also be used to applaud the artwork of Dustin Nguyen inked by Derek Fridolfs that is within – There is a sense of minimalism and a slight abstract cartoon feel to the work, yet detailed when appropriate, all servicing the visual storytelling excellently.
It could be said that writer Paul Dini meanders too much, taking us down the odd psychological detour that is intended to increase story value and give characters a reasons for doing the things they do; but frankly it’s not really needed, or at least not to the degree it’s given. A nice line in patter, mind.
What this story does is bring characters from the original 40s series of The Batman into current DC continuity while adding new ones along the way. It’s a way for a missing Batman to return to the fold, and so presumably serve was a marketing gimmick at the time it was first serialised.
Sponsored by Target Media.
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