Batman by Matt Wagner (Review)

Citizen's Grade: O.K.

The Dark Moon Rising series of Batman, written and drawn by Matt Wagner, is "old-school" Batman! Matt Wagner's art always gives me that feel of "times past", and these two volumes tell stories from early on in Batman's crime-fighting career. Well-written as well, you get drawn into the detective stories trying to unlock clues to stop crime in it's tracks. Even if you aren't an avid Batman fan or collector, you can still enjoy these "stand alone" volumes, since they don't connect (i.e. out-of-continuity) to the current storylines in the other Batman books.


Batman and the Mad Monk. Just over a year since putting on the cape and cowl, Batman has seen much....but the World's Greatest Detective has never seen anything like this! A rash of bodies across Gotham City, with only one common characteristic....neck wounds and lack of blood. To discover the truth, Batman must infiltrate an organization know as the "Brotherhood" and confront it's mysterious leader, Monk. It's the young Batman's first supernatural foe....but will it be his last?

Batman and the Monster Men. The brutal massacre of some of Gotham City's most notorious gangsters reveals a far more dangerous threat for the young Batman....genetically engineered monsters with a taste for human flesh! Batman races to stop them as they wreak havoc on Gotham's criminal community...but could he become their next victim?

Matt Wagner has also written and done art on Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman: Trinity. See Trinity (Scavenger Review) for full details.