Written by Doug Moench.
Art by Mike Manley; Josef Rubinstein; Adrienne Roy; & Ken Bruzenak.
Cover Art by Mike Manley.
SUMMARY:
DC Comics released this issue entitled “Creature of the Night” for October 1994. It is part of an extended Bat-origin tale interlocking the Issue # 0’s for Batman: Shadow of the Bat, Detective Comics, and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight. With his origin interspersed throughout the story, Batman (with some help from Tim Drake’s Robin) pursues an elusive serial mugger/murderer terrorizing Gotham City.
Included in Batman’s hunt is an undercover stint in his underworld persona of “Matches” Malone. Further troubling the Dark Knight’s mind is the realization that his recuperation is not finished yet.
REVIEW:
As a coming-aboard vehicle for new Bat-fans, this issue sufficiently bridges Batman’s return to full-time action after the extended Knightfall/Knightsend saga. Doug Moench’s scripting and the art team’s visuals effectively revisit Batman’s origin amidst his sleuthing of a homicide case somewhat resembling Bruce Wayne’s own private tragedy years before. Though Batman # 0 is not a must-have, its reliable storytelling holds up fine almost thirty years later.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There is a two-page “Bat-Signals” letters-and-answers column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
