I cry with the knight.
This is a wonderful tale about the vicious cycle of abuse, written by the great Archie Goodwin (Star Wars) and painted by spectacular Scott Hampton ( Books of Magic & Lucifer). This may just be one of the best "forgotten" mature Batman stories. I enjoy the over-sized Magazine size and the fact it is fully painted is icing on the cake.
From a young age Bruce Wayne was exposed to violence. This book further explores abuse children may experience and the violent cycle of it being pasted on and on down generations. Even Jim Gordon falls to the anger adults contain. I it also nice to see young James Gordon Junior, a character long gone from the current cold streets of Gotham.
This is a very horror filled book, but horror filled the right way. Not as a slasher, but as an example of real life situations of abuse some children have gone through. It is chilling to the bone. Both writer and artist are in top form in this comic. I loved every page.
The only problem I have with this book is that it is out of print. This is a Batman story that may or may not be in continuity, but it is not the continuty that matters, its the message. This message is of hope to break the cycle and I wish it was a book all comic readers could have access too. It is a good read, Batman fan or not!
5/5 Stars!
Cheers!
- Silkcuts