Posted

Nov 7th 2008

Mood

Tired

Music

None

I've just finished re-reading an old graphic novel series from the BATMAN back catalogue in my spare evenings, and I have to admit that nobody does it quite like Batman. For those of you unfamilure with the 'No Man's Land' story arc, it basically revolves around a massive earthquake that flattens Gotham City, the government then seal it off and declaire it a no-go zone, meaning that those trapped within are facing gangs, arkham escapees, pestilance and shortages of food among other things.

It's a great read, broken down into steps ranging from the initial tremors (that flatten the batcave) to Bruce's attempts to win public opinion and get vital funding for the area, and finally to the odd alliances that characters are forced to make in order to do what needs to be done. It also introduces the wonderful Harley Quinn to the DC comics universe for the first time (bless her!). I first encountered this story through the pages of Azrael, a comic book that was wrapped up within the plot along with all the rest of the 'Bat Family' ranging from Nightwing to Huntress. Azrael makes more appearances in this series than any other supporting hero, and interestingly this series is the turning point in his career, going from untrusted outsider to member of Batman's inner circle over the course of its duration. The characters surrounding Batman are well portrayed throughout this masterpiece, and Barbra Gordon and her father Comissioner Gordon manage to hold centre stage in a wonderfully dramatic and heartfelt way. Because whilst we may feel excluded from the harsh aura of the Batman, their humanity, and the humanity this series brings to Azrael, shines through.

A brilliant issue stands out in my mind that sums up why this could only happen in the pages of a Batman comic. Superman arrives in the forbidden zone and tries to set about fixing things for a while, but no matter what he does he just can't make it work. He's a hero about setting an example, but what kind of example can you set in a world where people are too hungry, ill and scared to try? In the end he flees the city, admitting that there is nothing he can do to help and leaving it in the hands of the Batman, who can at least use fear as influence. It's a different TYPE of series, one that is totally different from the amazing and action packed KNIGHTFALL that predated it and so amazingly bleak that it overshadows the BRUCE WAYNE: MURDEROR event that was later to follow.

So why am I talking about it? Because the last few issues are set at Christmas, and my mind is heading there more and more now that the shopping is coming in and the wrapping begins. I'm drawing up the pencils for the Enker's Tale special for this year and by no means is it going to be as epic and amazing as the series I've spoken of, but I hope that it will be an entertaining and heart warming moment in a series filled with darkness and violence. Much like the end of No Man's Land.