Batman: The Long Halloween – The Last Halloween #1 is written by Jeph Loeb and published by DC. Artwork is by Eduardo Risso, colours by Dave Stewart and letters by Richard Starkings. Main cover art (left) is by Tim Sale.
Batman: The Long Halloween – The Last Halloween #1 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
In 1996, writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale teamed up for Batman: The Long Halloween, an award-winning 13-chapter saga that spawned multiple sequels and stands as the most influential Batman story of its era. Now, Loeb returns to the world of The Long Halloween for its long-anticipated final act: Batman: The Last Halloween, an all-new 10-part mystery continuing the story from 2021’s The Long Halloween Special. In each issue, Loeb will be joined by one of the top artists in comics, in a beautiful and lovingly crafted tribute to Sale’s art and legacy.In issue one, Gotham City learns to fear Halloween once more as a terrible event threatens to destroy Jim Gordon’s life and puts Batman and Robin’s teamwork to the test more than ever before. In a city of liars, masked vigilantes, and criminals…can anyone be trusted?
Review
One of the most legendary chapters in the history of the Dark Knight returns to comic book stores today. Following the sad passing of artist Tim Sale in 2022, writer Jeph Loeb has returned to complete the story and this time is working with a series of guest artists. This first chapter neatly brings the reader back in to the world of The Long Halloween, setting up a mystery to take us through the next few months.
From the outset The Last Halloween feels like an authentic return to this version of Gotham. Having heard Loeb discussing bringing this series back its clear there was always a plan. It’s also clear completing that plan has been difficult in the wake of losing Sale. There’s no sense that this book is inauthentically trying to recapture that magic or emulate his work. Instead it’s a genuine continuation with a story which feels legitimate whilst honouring the memory of their colleague.
Batman acts as our narrator, re-establishing the world and all the major players who are still on the board. The Last Halloween is aiming to be easily accessible to new readers as well as those already up-to-date on the story. Whilst some may question why you would jump in now, given the fact The Long Halloween began publishing in 1996 it’s safe to assume a proportion of the audience wasn’t even born as many of us were running out to buy our copy of issue #1. It succeeds in being able to recap previous events without feeling too much like an exposition dump. In context it almost feels like Batman dictating case notes which feels in-keeping with this interpretation of the character.
Our first touch point is, of course, Harvey and Gilda Dent. Harvey’s arc has been the backbone of The Long Halloween universe and with one last mystery left to solve it makes sense his presence would loom large. His scenes bookend the rest of the supporting cast and play a central part in setting up the story moving forwards. From there we catch up with the Gordon family, Robin, Selina Kyle, Mario Falcone and Solomon Grundy. Each character picks up neatly where they left off, almost as if no time has passed. It’s the most comfortable way to re-enter this world and Loeb has no issue in finding his footing from page one.
Any lingering questions over whether there is enough conflict left within the narrative structure of The Long Halloween are quickly answered. Without leaning too heavily in to spoilers it seems the battle for control of the Falcone family is far from over. Whilst Batman and Robin are still forming the kind of partnership they will become legends for. Both subplots have enough steam in the engine to keep them going. As does the mystery which forms the conclusion of issue #1. But the story of the Gordons and particularly what is happening with their son James is really at the heart of this issue. No doubt there will come a point where several of these plots intersect. But right now we’re at the beginning of this journey and Loeb is simply placing the pieces on the board. But as first issues go there’s bountiful intrigue to be found in these pages.
Eduardo Risso does an admirable job of reigniting the world of The Long Halloween. This has always been a shadowy world. Whilst well lit panels are filled with fine detail, it has always been the more abstract illustrations which draw the reader’s attention. Risso has plenty of opportunity to render those moments in this issue. The droplets of rain on the rooftop of GCPD as the Bat-signal shines out across the city is so atmospheric you can almost smell the rain. whilst the agony on Gordon’s face even in the most abstract of panels is palpable.
Verdict
Batman: The Long Halloween – The Last Halloween #1 is an atmospheric and enthralling return to Loeb and Sale’s Gotham. The reader is instantly transported back in to the world first glimpsed back in the mid-90s as if no time has passed. It’s clear Loeb still has a story to tell and this issue sets up everything perfectly to thrust the story forwards.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
