Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso
"Knight of Vengeance:" In the new Flashpoint universe (Actually, this all kinda hangs on the twist from Flashpoint #1, so a good portion of this will be invisible type.), Dr. Thomas Wayne witnesses the murders of his wife and son, and decides to take on crime as Batman. This seems to take place before Flashpoint 1's events.
Summary: Thomas Wayne is being psychoanalyzed by an unidentifiable female psychiatrist. She believes he has some serious anger issues (Really?). After some verbal chess between the two, she leaves just as this universe's Penguin arrives (Think Tatoo from Fantasy island with a monocle and long nose). It is revealed that Thomas left his lucrative medical practice to open up casinos all over Gotham. Apparently, in this world, the organized crime angle has all but died, but must importantly to the Batman mythos, Sal Maroni is dead, which means no one ever got acid in their face. Anyway, we find out the whole reason Wayne opened these casinos is to attract criminals so he can take them out. It is also revealed that Chief Gordon backs Thomas Wayne and knows that he's the Batman. We find out what I can only assume will be the major plot arc of the three issue series: Judge Harvey Dent's twins have been kidnapped by the Joker. In case you haven't realized that Harvey Dent is still Two-Face, despite the lack of scars, the book also shows that his shadow and his body do not look the same. Dent wants Batman on this case solely so he can kill the Joker like he killed Scarecrow, Ivy, and Hush (how does that last one even work if Bruce isn't around?). Dent then threatens that if Batman doesn't pull this off, Wayne casinos will be demolished. Dent is married to a blonde with a lot of eye makeup, and it might be presumptious of me, but I'm thinking that might be another revamped villain. Gordon and Wayne head to the Batcave to talk over ideas about how to make the world a better place. Batman chases some leads which take him into the sewers, and not surprisingly, a bunch of half dead people missing limbs. Surprise attack by Killer Croc (with a machete, of all things), that we all saw coming. However, as I mentioned before, this Batman is very low tech, and uses a lead pipe to block the slash, but its not enough as he falls under the waters. We then flash back to the night in Crime Alley where Thomas lunged at the gunman, but in the fight the gun went off twice. Cutting back to the sewers, Batman pokes Croc's eye so he can grab a breath, giving him a chance to grab the machete. Then, HE STRAIGHT UP MURDERS CROC BY STABBING HIM IN THE FACE. Finally, we cut to the Joker wanting to play a game of house ("Somebody gets to play daddy, the baby... the mommy... we'll have fun") with the Dent Twins. Not sure how I feel about the Joker design... kinda Ledger-esque.
High Points: Now this is how you do an issue of a new "alternate" series. The hints are dropped in rather subtle ways, but not shoved down your throat. Dent may be the one exception, but since he's a main character it may just be how much exposure his character gets. This Batman is apparently very effective, so we readers actually have to ask which Batman is better in the long run. The art just fits really nicely here and Gotham just feels right for atmosphere. I'm very excited for more info on the Joker here.Low Points: One of my biggest complaints is with Gordon actually. I know that the wanted to include him so that Batman has someone to talk to, but he really just feels like a sidekick. Very one dimensional. The sewer scene feels really overdone, but the new ending to the fight didn't hurt. Hopefully, this will continue with this level of quality.
Verdict: A. Very solid story and intro for a character that, until Grant Morrison (kinda), was very one dimensional. I strongly suggest picking this up. This may be one of the best Flashpoint minis coming out and is very easy to pickup, even for new comic readers. Anxious to see how this new guy plays out... I mean, not everyone can be Batman.
That joke felt forced... you agree, James?
Worst. Contributer. Ever
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