Batman: Dark Age #5 – Mark Russell, Writer; Mike Allred, Artist; Laura Allred, Colorist
Ray – 10/10
Ray: Mark Russell’s work can vary, sometimes trending a little too sarcastic and caustic for my taste – but when he’s on, he’s on like few writers in the industry, and Mike Allred seems to bring out the absolute best in him. This is the best issue of this run by far, and it starts with a brilliant segment as Bruce Wayne remembers the time his mother wound up in Arkham Asylum when he was a child – back when it wasn’t a place to hold maniacs, but a place of healing for someone who gave too much of herself to the world. Of course, in the present day, Arkham had been razed by Ra’s Al Ghul as part of his plan to take down Bruce Wayne’s empire. Dr. Chase Meridian was seemingly killed in the blaze, leaving Bruce distraught and focused on vengeance. He pushes Dick and Alfred away, seeks help from the Justice League – only to find them focused on a far more serious ticking clock for all of Earth.
Ra’s made a big impact in the second issue, but in his return, he’s far deadlier and far crueler than we’ve ever seen him. His assault on everything close to Bruce Wayne is so intense that Bruce seeks out help from unlikely sources – his villains, with Catwoman, Penguin, and Riddler each having their own reason for signing up. Of course, another, more famous villain is still lurking in the shadows and promises to bring this series to a tense close in the finale. But amid all of that, there are still so many great small moments in this series, including an interesting introduction to a teenage Barbara Gordon that pays tribute to one of the major social uprisings of the era it takes place in. In some ways, this Batman is familiar, but in others he’s almost a completely different character – one raised in a different environment, and given a different trial of fire. This is going to be a masterpiece alongside its sister book.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
