It was no mistake… Grant Morrison really does write Tim Drake to be a total douche. At one point, another character remarks on it as an aside to herself. He’s a real jerk. Maybe he’s doing to get killed in Final Crisis. I mean, hopefully he’ll get killed in Final Crisis.
The art by J.H. Williams III is beautiful and a fruitless daydream would be an oversized collection of the issues. He mixes style here in ways not as ambitious as Promethea, but cooler than anyone has since that time. It’s just a beautiful story to look at….
And Morrison’s story is cool too. It’s a non-mystery mystery. The who isn’t as important as the why (an obvious crib from Agatha Christie and maybe more of one from The Last of Sheila). Problems arise, however, when the story gets filled with twelve or more costumed characters with way too similar real names and way to obscure introductions. I’m sure the story makes sense, but it required way too much attention to detail for something, as it became clear at the end of the first issue, was going to be a traditional Agatha Christie style story. Setting it in the new Morrison Batman continuity, which is a lot like his All-Star Superman continuity… i.e. whatever he wants for the issue (and is wonderful), doesn’t make it original. It’s the same old thing. I mean, it’s so traditional, I’m surprised Morrison didn’t have the killer narrate it.
But so much of it–even in to the second issue–is so much fun to read, Morrison (with Williams’s art) pulls the wool over the reader’s eyes. How could such beautiful art, such interesting characters, such well-written scenes, really be for nothing? Well, like I said, it’s an Agatha Christie mystery and Agatha Christie mysteries are best when they’re acted out by a wide variety of British actors who haven’t worked for a couple years except maybe on television….
It’s another sign Morrison ought to be writing a really crazy “Batman” television show… this story is written for actors, for something else to round out the characters’ personalities. Without the added dimension, it’s just too confusing.
B
Technorati Tags: Batman, Comic Book, DC Comics, Grant Morrison, J.H. Williams III, Review
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1 response so far ↓
1 north shore comics dealer // Oct 9, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Well, I’m glad you decided to talk about art! Actually, I’m ecstatic that Williams toned down the art a bit, as his more elaborate Promethea pages slowed the eye down quite a bit and competed too much with the narrative, making Moore’s script more sluggish than it actually was. It is good for an artist to take things as far as he can just to see what happens, just not in a mainstream book. The art this tine around complimented the story more and kept things moving along. Many of the “Batmen” I was familar with, and you should look up some of their “golden age” appearances just for laughs.
I was hoping for a warmer pairing of Robin & The Squire, but you’re right, Tim’s a dick, but maybe that’s what will get him laid. I don’t think it’s gonna happen in his regular book, because of the interracial make up of his mate. Not sure if the guys upstairs are ready for that one. I’m also glad to see you taking on a more recently published comic. All those golden agers will leave you with a numb sensitivity.
If you enjoyed the layers of continuity here, check out the new Metal Men book, it’s numerous “homages” and retro fittings challenge even the hardiest of comic geeks.
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