Writer: Sam Hamm
Art: Joe Quinones and Leonardo Ito (colorist)
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 19, 2024
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THE DISPATCH
The second thrilling issue is here! As we saw last time, Bruce Wayne was a prisoner in Arkham, apparently brainwashed into being some sort of terrorist. Not only that, but he is being treated by Arkham’s resident psychiatrist, Professor Jonathan Crane, whom bat-fans know as the alter-ego of the Scarecrow. We see more direct references to the Scarecrow here, but Jonathan has yet to don his costume and start terrorizing the city. This issue also continues to set-up Harleen Quinzel as Harley Quinn as she begins to transform into the crazy clown-girl, though not completely yet.
There is also a fun reference for bat-fans. As with last issue referring to Bruce as “Robert Lowery”, the 2nd actor to portray Batman in the 1949 film serial, this issue refers to him as “Lewis Wilson”, the first actor to ever portray Batman in the 1943 film serial. Further, something that may be disappointing is that despite Barbara Gordon appearing as a Batman ’89 version of Batgirl on the cover of Batman ’89: Echoes #2, she is absent for the entirety of this issue, so it doesn’t really offer fans what the cover seems to suggest. That said, it still seems to set up a good story. It is heavily suggested that Bruce had been brainwashed by Hugo Strange, and that Jonathan Crane doesn’t seem to recognize Bruce either. There is also a reference to the Riddler, though in alter-ego name only (E. Nigma). It suggests the possibility he may appear in future issues of this series.
ART
Joe Quinones continues to knock it out of the park with the art in Batman ’89: Echoes #2. As with the first issue, he has captured the likeness of Michael Gough’s Alfred down pat. Bruce looks a lot like Michael Keaton, though he looks more how Keaton currently looks, rather than how he looked in the early 1990’s. This suggests the possibility of time travel, potentially due to a certain red-suited speedster. It is doubtful that they will go down that route in this story, but it does raise the question of whether they will attempt to make any references to The Flash movie, since Keaton reappeared as Batman in that film as well.
Jonathan Crane and Harleen Quinzel continue to resemble the likes of Jeff Goldblum and Madonna respectively. This issue also sees the return of Drake Winston, first introduced in the previous Batman ’89 series, and he continues to be modeled after a young Marlon Wyans. We also see Arkham inmates that seem to be based on particular actors, such as Martin Short and Eugene Levy. Further, there is a subtle nod to Batman merchandizing with Alfred picking out a box of cereal that reads “Zorro Returns”, combining Batman Returns cereal that was popular at the time the movie came out with Zorro, the hero Bruce has traditionally seen on the movie screen right before his parents are murdered.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Batman ’89: Echoes #2 is a fun story that adds to the plot through building up the characters and has enjoyable references to previous Batman media and popular actors of the 1980’s and 90’s. That being said, what may be disappointing is that there are no real costumed heroes to speak of in this issue, and cover is not really representative of the story in this current issue. The closest we get to a hero is seeing the return of Drake Winston with the “Robin” emblem, though he does not appear in costume either. It is also uncertain as to whether Bruce is actually brainwashed, or if he is deep undercover, based on comments Drake makes to Alfred. All that being said, it allows fans to grow in anticipation for what’s to come, though the sooner they get to the action, the better. What do you hope will happen next?