Writer: Christian Ward
Art: Christian Ward and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $6.99
Release Date: December 12th, 2023
The Court of Owls summons Batman, demanding he venture deep beneath the city to fight what has been unleashed from its depths: a wave of madness infecting Gotham’s villains, driven by the monstrous creature they’re calling “the Batman Below.” But the Court has not-entirely-noble reasons for wanting this chaos stopped…Is Batman their weapon, or their bait? Let’s find out as Batman: City of Madness #2 by Christian Ward begins to unfold.
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THE DISPATCH
To fans who like the concept of Stranger Things, here comes Batman: City of Madness #2. Readers discover that Gotham also has an “upside down”. Yet, it’s just a bit different. Every person in Gotham has this twisted doppelgänger down below including Batman! In the last Chapter of Batman: City of Madness, this quake broke open the door between worlds causing the Batman Below to escape, taking a hostage from above, and bringing him down below again. Perhaps, this Batman Below’s goal was to create his own Robin. Long story short, the Court of Owls divulges all of this to Batman and sends Talon, as well as Batman, to the Gotham Belpw in order to bring back this boy. Why? Well, once people cross back and forth between Gotham’s they begin to merge together which is why some of Gotham’s craziest villains have become extra crazy lately.
Now, the premise itself is rather interesting. However, I feel like we are missing a ton of details. How was this Gotham Below created? Was it by Black Magic? Was it by the Court of Owls? And why was there no lore on it until now? How did it stay hidden for so long? How does it create the doppelgängers? Now, I know what many readers and critics would say. Why do you need to know right now? We’re only two issues in. Normally, you’d be correct and I’d agree. Time is needed to carve out a good story. Nevertheless, the problem is that we only have one more issue of Batman: City of Madness left. So, how are we going to get these answers in one issue? How are we going to explore the Gotham Below? How are we going to go in-depth into the story with only one issue left?
This is my biggest concern with Batman: City of Madness #2. This story has so much potential. Yet, it’s not discovered. It’s not combed through. It’s almost as if so much was left on the cutting room floor. Seeing the impact on the criminals in Batman: City of Madness #2, I can only imagine what depths we could explore. But sadly, we aren’t nor do I see us having the time. Batman: City of Madness #2 felt like CliffsNotes that sped through the story super fast just to hit the highlights and get to the finish line. The Court of Owls angle could have been flushed out more. The history behind Wesker could be developed more, especially since it was one of the most intriguing aspects of the issue. Plus, the odd connection that Two-Face has with the Gotham Below and his Below counterpart. Why can he make contact so well? These concepts, and so much more, could be explored in fascinating ways but sadly don’t seem possible with one issue to go.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Readers, the meat on the bones of Batman: City of Madness #2 was immense. The potential and creativity of Ward are quite imaginative. Sure, the concept mirrors Stranger Things to a degree, but only in concept. How it was created and why can be totally different if explored more by Ward. That said, we only get one more issue of Batman: City of Madness #2. So, will it ever be more investigated? Who knows. The depth of the story and artistic license of this creative team to prepare a cerebral masterpiece was truly out of this world. Readers can instantly tell the connection between the art and writing as they comb the issue since the author of both was the same.
Yet my point is just that. The story melted together with more passion and feeling mainly because the writer was also the illustrator and colorist. Fans can see the intensity between the two which is probably what provided Batman: City of Madness #2 with so much promise. Yet, it’s also why I feel a bit jaded with what it appears to be missing and the potential that looks to be left on the cutting room floor. Should you still invest in Batman: City of Madness #2? I think so. However, it’s not a story to jump into without issuing one. Plus, you never know. Maybe with a large influence and fanfare, Ward may continue this idea in another series. Nevertheless, it’s the pacing and lack of depth that hinder this issue and the series overall. Let’s hope more is at least explored before this series ends next issue. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!