Batman finally makes his return in the second issue of the “First Wave” series along side Doc Savage and the Spirit. And for all his fame and notoriety he gets one panel. That’s’ right, one panel. Oh, and no dialog. We finally see Batman as he wraps up a would be mugger in his cape making quick work of the bad guy. But that’s it. Make no mistake about it, “First Wave” is a Doc Savage vehicle and through the first two issues he is sharing the limelight with The Spirit as comedic relief. I guess I should mention the Blackhawks get plenty of face time too.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m digging this book. I love the noir feel to the story narrative. Moonlit nights, large limos with their headlights cutting the darkness, blackened alley ways, cemeteries and most importantly, gritty dialog befitting a George V. Higgins novel.
It’s just that a little more Batman would be nice.
We got our first look at the “First Wave” Batman in November of 2009 when DC presented us with a one shot called the “Batman-Doc Savage Special, the First Wave begins.” Batman got plenty of ink in that issue and if you read the book you’ll remember that Batman was portrayed as a young brash playboy. Untested and inexperienced, this Batman was willing to make mistakes and take his lumps in order to ply his trade. He’s not the brooding angry dark avenger that we are accustomed to. He’s cocky and brash. He’s having fun.
Brian Azzarello is the writer for this series, as he was in the one shot. Phil Noto was the artist for the one shot and his effort lent itself more to a Sunday morning comic’s type of feel. This time Rags Morales takes over the art work and he is ably assisted by Nei Ruffino. Their combined effort lends itself more readily to the noir feel of the book as they understand the use of shadow and perspective that is so important to this style.
Azzarello is weaving a dense, multi-faceted storyline that involves some the most iconic heroes of the golden age. Doc Savage, his crew, the Spirit, the Blackhawks, Justice Inc and we haven’t even seen Black Canary yet. And Batman too. For one panel. But fear not, I have a feeling we’ll be seeing plenty of the Bat, and sooner rather than later. There is a lot of gray area in this series. The good guys work in and outside the law, everyone has their own agendas that intersect for better or worse and a mysterious darkness looms fueled by greed and revenge. The type of story that is begging for a Dark Knight.
I’m giving this book a four out of five Bat-a-rangs for where I believe this story is taking us. And I’ll get into some in depth analysis of the plot itself once Batman and his guns (yes, I said guns) makes their full time appearance. I’ll be seeing you soon for “First Wave” issue three of six.
First Wave #2:
Reviewed by Dark Knight Dave
Concept Art: Part One
In this, the third entry of the Year of the Batmen, we will examine what is to represent Batman visually and how the artwork conveys a certain mood, message, or characterization. Since all the printed word for upcoming stories aren’t out yet we’ll look at this artwork with “thumbnail” sketches of each drawing and what I think they exemplify.
The Rags Morales Batman
This Batman, featured in the “First Wave” comic along with Doc Savage is often depicted in some type of movement. This suggests he is youthful and athletic. It also suggests that this particular Batman relies on surprise or guile rather than experience to catch his opponents off guard. Seemingly springing out of nowhere his abrupt appearance is meant to bewilder his foes to make up for his lack of sophistication.
The Gary Frank Batman
This Batman is designed to intimidate. Note the furrowed brow of the unmasked Batman. Even as a youth there is a certain grimness that suggests a purpose full of anger and determination. The cowled head-shot with the gritted teeth characterizes a brutal strength fused with a hair trigger temper. As for the full body shot, this Batman looks almost military in presence. The Bat suit looks like something a paratrooper might wear. Also important to note the lack of “over-musculature” in the body, this Batman is drawn to represent a real person.
The Frank Quitely Batman
The thing that most impresses me about this Batman is how Quitely captures the youth of the Dick Grayson Batman. This Batman’s posture is more relaxed. The head is always seems to be tilted in some manner that suggests a callow cockiness that is both vigorous and arrogant. He is not a coiled spring of vengeance and his body type shows also a lack of the over wrought musculature that makes the other Batmen artificial.
The Tony Daniel Batman
Daniel draws one of the more gothic of Batmen. His Batman is definitely a creature of the night. Daniel makes much use of the cape and it is to suggest that this Batman is an almost unworldly being that is terrifying to behold and quite possibly capable of flight. Almost Vampiric in nature this Batman is exemplified by a musculature that is almost beyond human and quite probably impossible.
The David Finch Batman
I couldn’t resist including the cover to Batman #700 by David Finch. Here we have the quintessential Batman. Even more gothic than the Daniel version. Its chief component (at least in this picture) is the lack of facial features something that Daniel also employs to great effect. As seen in this illustration what we have is two predatory eyes set into a dark visage mounted on a coiled figure. This menacing figure is a vengeful spirit wrapped in black crepe. A crepuscular wraith poised to strike at any transgressor. Finch also makes good use of perspective. Note the baroque structures that tower into the night sky slowly giving way to the bat signal as if it was a full moon. Quite striking.
There are so many artists out there now drawing the Batman that I’ve decided to divide this entry into several sections. Coming soon, the artwork of Bagley, Syaf, Alex Ross and others
Posted by Dark Knight Dave
We loyal followers of the Dark Knight are in for a treat this year. No, not just a treat, a singular event. Perhaps something that many of us will only experience once in a lifetime. This year DC comics will not only follow the adventures of one Batman but as many as four, or quite possibly seven!
In 2010 in what I call “The Year of the Batmen” I will endeavor to chronicle these various manifestations of Batman and discuss the dynamic of having their respective storylines running concurrently. Even as they exist in different “universes”, alternate realities or as parallel plotlines that remain apart but eventually come together.
How will these Batmen compare? How will the media and readership accept or reject them? Whose storyline will succeed while another may fail? Will the various writers and artists vie for supremacy or just engage in a little friendly competition. Is it possible for all of these incarnations to exist at the same time and avoid saturation? Or will we embrace all of them and insist they continue for years to come? Perhaps multiple readership factions will arise and insist their Batman is the one true Caped Crusader.
As we all know Dick Grayson has picked up the mantle of the Bat in the absence of Bruce Wayne. This particular arc has been admirably filled out by the likes of Morrison, Daniel and Winick. How will the eventual return of Bruce Wayne (written by Morrison) effect Grayson? Will he give up the cape and cowl and go quietly into the night or will there be conflict? Will Bruce actually want it all back?
What of the iteration of the “First Wave” Batman? Brian Azzarello has promised a young Bruce Wayne one that is a, “millionaire playboy; brash, cocky and fully relishing life.” This Batman is inexperienced and makes mistakes that extract “the cost of fighting crime.” Stir in a healthy dose of Doc Savage and the Spirit and we have a whole new Dark Knight. 
Speaking of re-imagining the tale of the Dark Knight how will Geoff Johns’ interpretation compare to Azzarello’s? Johns tells us his Earth One Batman will “break the restraints of any continuity and focus on two things: character and story.” Certainly, what we have seen of artists Gary Frank’s Earth One Batman is in sharp contrast to the First Wave Batman as penciled by Rags Morales. Frank’s take looks indomitable and steadfast while Morales looks more sinewy and athletic.
But I am getting ahead of myself. There are several other incarnations that are worthy of discussion. The ghoulish Black Lantern Batman from the Blackest Night. The “undead” Batman resurrected from a Lazarus pool by Dick Grayson. And what of the Batman that exists in “Superman/Batman” comics or in Batman Confidential? Not to mention the JLA Batman that is both teammate and leader as embodied by Dick Grayson written by James Robinson.
There will be much to discuss and I am eager to get at it. Throughout this massive effort I will seek your input. Comments are welcome. The impressions from you the reader will add fuel to the fire as we discuss and dissect one of the most iconic figures in comic book history. It all comes together in 2010, “The Year of the Batmen”.
Written by Dark Knight Dave