Writer: Gary Whitta
Art: Darick Robertson, Diego Rodriguez, and Simon Bowland
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 28th, 2022
With SUPERMAN still missing and worldwide communication and technology on the fritz, will BATMAN get the JUSTICE LEAGUE and the world’s military forces to rally together and take down this unknown alien threat? Or, will more cause for concern be thrust at BATMAN’S doorstep? Let’s dive into BATMAN: FORTRESS #2 by Gary Whitta to see if we can get any clues as to who is behind this alien assault and why.
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the Batman: Fortress #2 Review.
THE DISPATCH
After BATMAN: FORTRESS #1, this reviewer saw some potential for a unique BATMAN tale told by a new writer to the Cape and Cowl. The perspective was certainly different as well as some of the characterizations of BATMAN. However, I overlooked those hoping that he was merely getting his feet wet while focusing more on introducing his new story. Nevertheless, as BATMAN: FORTRESS #2 opens, readers can immediately see some weird characteristics and even renderings of the cast that just didn’t hit the mark.
Whitta makes THE FLASH come across as an Instagram stalker, discusses AQUAMAN’S “fear of heights”, creates tech that’s faster than THE FLASH, cuts Cyborg in two, and magically jumps to BATMAN and a few of the other heroes having already escaped the alien attack. Whitta’s characterization mixed with plot jumps and off-panel action left this reviewer focusing more on the holes than the story at hand.
Furthermore, the action was pretty minimal for a tale that showcased our heroes attempting an onslaught. And lastly, readers simply see BATMAN backed into a corner searching for answers while the readers only get one answer themselves They know these aliens have something to do with SUPERMAN or at least Kryptonians. But otherwise, we learn nothing about these aliens nor do we know what’s happened to SUPERMAN. It’s difficult to get locked in on a story when the writer reveals very little about two issues in and appears to be providing a surface-level understanding of the characters involved.
ART
Darick Robertson’s take and design on the characters seemed a bit off in this week’s BATMAN: FORTRESS #2. AQUAMAN looked like a biker with a dyed beard, Diana’s face lacked definition, and a maskless BATMAN in one panel looked entirely different in the next. I don’t know if Bruce looked the same in any panel or on any page. Furthermore, almost every action sequence had the cast of characters’ eyes bugging out of their heads. It’s the art that really put the most damper on this week’s tale.
FINAL THOUGHTS
After BATMAN: FORTRESS #1, I was really hoping for something good. And as I stated earlier, the potential was definitely cluttering each page. However, Whitta’s dialogue and lack of convincing story beats coupled with Robertson’s renderings and design made BATMAN: FORTRESS #2 quite unappealing. Readers get no answers, few reveals, and orchestrated conversations meant to add humor that ultimately pushed each character out of their norm and into an irrelevant and inconsistent story. This reviewer was searching for that hook but left with almost no interest in continuing the series. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!