Batman: The Long Halloween – The Last Halloween #2 is written by Jeph Loeb and published by DC. Artwork is by Klaus Janson, colours by Dave Stewart and letters by Richard Starkings. Main cover art (left) is by Tim Sale.
Batman: The Long Halloween – The Last Halloween #2 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
Hoping to bring an end to the terrible tragedy that has struck Gotham, Batman and Robin descend into the hellish depths of Arkham Asylum seeking answers and come face-to-face with some of the city’s most nefarious criminals.
Review
DC’s legendary Batman: The Long Halloween is back today with the second issue of The Last Halloween. Writer Jeph Loeb is joined by guest artist Klaus Janson as the two explore the first steps in Batman and Robin’s latest investigation. But can the series prosper through the first of its rotating roster of artists? Does Loeb’s latest chapter hold enough intrigue to continue exploring this gang-filled take on Gotham?
Issue #2 of The Last Halloween stars off with poor Solomon Grundy being thrown from a boat. He’s chained, weighted and sunk to the bottom in to the deepest waters off Gotham’s shore. Is he another victim of the unidentified foe who attacked the Dents at the end of issue #1? Or are the Dynamic Duo up against a series of villains yet to be revealed? Loeb continues to play his cards close to his chest, instead using this issue to further complicate Batman’s investigation rather than revealing too much about the puppet master of The Last Halloween.
The plot of issue #2 drives forward following Batman and Robin as they attempt to pick up the trail of this new killer. That begins with a trip to Arkham Asylum which affords Loeb the opportunity to explore the relationship between the two heroes. This seems to be Robin’s first visit to the asylum and yet there’s a coldness between Dark Knight and Boy Wonder which seems to betray a more fractious relationship than I had expected. At this stage it seems that Robin is an annoyance and an experiment for Batman. I wonder if perhaps Loeb is looking to tap in to Batman’s mindset of being unsure about allowing his ward to also become a vigilante. Or is this is an attempt to portray at Batman questioning his own decisions when faced with the sheer enthusiasm Robin has for crime fighting. Either way it’s unexpected and adds an unpredictable new angle to the story.
It’s those key relationships Batman has forged which underpin all of Loeb’s storytelling. His anger at villains like Calendar Man and Mad Hatter. His frustrations with Catwoman and Robin. His devotion to Jim Gordon and their war on crime. They’re all driving a Batman who is somewhat impulsive and not in control of his emotions. It feels like Loeb is building towards something. But his shrewd storytelling isn’t giving away anywhere near enough to know exactly what our direction of travel is. The addition of the FBI to investigations certainly seems like a wrinkle which is going to force Batman further outwards. Could we see him become outlawed or on the run for a time? It certainly seems likely…
Artist Klaus Janson steps in well for chapter two. The break between issues being more definitive than simply picking up where one left off also helps. It allows each artist in the book to stamp their mark on a specific piece of the puzzle. Janson has a very identifiable style but neatly picks up on the design language of the late Tim Sale to connect issue #2 to that legacy. Costume designs are key to reflecting Sale’s beginnings. Robin and Catwoman both look great and are instantly recognisable as being from the world of The Last Halloween. His work on Penguin is particularly horrifying, it felt almost like seeing more of Danny DeVito in the role thanks to his gnarly teeth and grotesque appearance.
Verdict
With Batman: The Long Halloween – The Last Halloween Jeph Loeb is building something special. Not only is it shaping up to be a very worthy entry in The Long Halloween Saga, it’s a fitting tribute to the wonderful Tim Sale. Issue #2 finds Loeb holding the cards close to his chest, teasing out a complex plot which is in no rush to reveal itself.
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