Gabrych writes and writes and writes and writes. His Batman narration goes on forever, hitting the same beats again and again. Batman’s alone–everyone left him, the cops hate him, it’s just like when he started out, only he’s older. On and on it goes. Gabrych got the job of summarizing all the “War Games” fallout. It’s a thankless task.
There’s a regular story too. Heroin has hit the streets again and Batman has to investigate. The investigation proves confusing because Gotham’s crime world has restructured, setting up Black Mask as the big villain. Gabrych sort of tells the issue in vignettes, but not enough. Batman keeps losing his train of thought.
The ending’s a little too weak, too forced. Gabrych tries to make Batman make sense and he can’t.
The backup is a depressing bit from David Lapham. It’s mean and nasty and rather well-done, if entirely unpleasant.
CREDITS
Alone At Night; writer, Andersen Gabrych; penciller, Pete Woods; inkers, Cam Smith and Drew Geraci. In the Dark; writer and artist, David Lapham. Colorist, Jason Wright; letterer, Phil Balsman; editors, Michael Wright and Bob Schreck; publisher, DC Comics.
Besides a vaguely amusing Jesus Christ Superstar reference in this issue, there’s not much else to it. Things continue to go wrong with Batman’s plans for the “War Games” crossover, the sidekicks continue to have panel or two cameos to remind readers to pick up their solo books and Leslie has a scene. Oh, and the new commissioner is stick of Batman.
It just keeps getting sillier. It’s hard to blame it on Gabyrch–he’s writing a company crossover issue, he had to not reveal the mystery villain, he had to move the pieces. The piece he moves the most here is Tim Drake. He’s quit being Robin because it’s dangerous or something, but then he decides to become Robin again.
For some reason–editorial interference one suspects–Tarantula takes center stage this issue. I guess she needed some exposure, but Gabrych gives it to her at the expense of Batman’s time.
Gabrych spends about a fourth of the issue with Bruce describing the surgical procedure for a cesarean section delivery. Just before the delivery, there’s a long argument between Bruce and some Lady Macbeth crime lord. It’s different to be sure.
Less detection, more action. There’s even a sequence where Batman’s on a motorcycle driving across a bridge’s suspension cables. It’s a little much. Along with Mr. Freeze messing around with drug dealers, it seems like Gabrych and Woods are trying to bring some measure of realism to the comic. Not a lot, but a little.
With the exception of Bruce explaining to Barbara why Leslie Thompkins is important to him, Gabrych does a stellar job with the feature.
Batman and Batgirl make an odd pair. New writer Andersen Gabrych sets up a strange situation. Batgirl is concerned for Batman, but doesn’t really know how to talk to him about it. He’s upset because it’s Jason Todd’s birthday, but he really doesn’t know how to talk about his feelings. They shouldn’t make a good pair, but they do.
Very interesting issue. With Otto freed of Ghost Peter, he makes some different choices–first is prioritizing responses to crimes and crises (which Slott addressed earlier in the series but not as directly) and, second, how he’s going to spend his Parker time.