Written by Neil Gaiman.
Art by Andy Kubert; Scott Williams; Alex Sinclair; & Jared K. Fletcher.
Cover Art by Andy Kubert & Dave Stewart.
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics for April 2009, this 48-page issue is entitled “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?, Part 1 of 2: The Beginning of the End.” One night, at Gotham’s seedy Dew Drop Inn, an illustrious array of guests attend the Dark Knight’s open casket funeral. Among them are: Selina “Catwoman” Kyle; Alfred Pennyworth; Two-Face; Commissioner Gordon and his daughter, Barbara; the Joker; Harvey Bullock; Renee Montoya; the Penguin; Ra’s al Ghul; the Mad Hatter; Harley Quinn; Kirk Langstrom; and Dick Grayson.
Evidently excluding the Justice League, there is a long line of Bat-villains still waiting to get in. Strangely enough, it appears there are at least two Selina Kyle’s, two Alfred’s, possibly two Harley Quinn’s, and even a cameo by the Joker from Batman: The Animated Series. It is not revealed whether these counterparts all co-exist in this dream-like world, or if one counterpart enigmatically replaces another previously seen.
Invited to be the one who explains ‘who finally got ’im,’ an aging Selina Kyle (evidently, she is a version of the Golden Age Catwoman) first explains her doomed romance with the Dark Knight. Entitled “The Cat-Woman’s Tale,” Batman’s tragic end ultimately mirrors the end of the 1976 film, Robin & Marian.
Next, as entitled “The Gentleman’s Tale,” a decrepit Alfred Pennyworth describes how he and his old acting buddies cleverly devised a group of colorfully ghoulish rogues for ‘Master Bruce’ to routinely defeat as the Batman. Yet, a fatal encounter at the Gotham City Zoo doesn’t follow the established Bat-script.
Unseen commentators are a bewildered Batman’s spirit and an unidentified companion. All readers briefly see are the duo’s enigmatic silhouettes. This storyline shifts to Detective Comics # 853 for its conclusion.
Note: Though the image is not available here, Alex Ross is the variant cover artist.
REVIEW:
Including its homages to alternate Bat-realities, Neil Gaiman’s plotting doubles down on a welcome aura of unpredictability. Unlike Grant Morrison’s penchant for peddling bizarre plot twists, with little-to-no logic or explanation, Gaiman’s similarly-styled storyline somehow projects a far more tantalizing effect. It is understandable, however, if one become confused by the shifting stream-of-consciousness narratives that Gaiman pitches at readers.
Hence, vital answers are left to be possibly resolved in the second half. Equal to such a formidable task is the art squad, whose visuals are top-caliber. Therefore, the enigmatic Batman # 686, is highly recommended.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Andy Kubert provides a stellar four-page sketchbook that reveals his inspirations for this project. Ian Sattler’s “DC Nation” column hypes ongoing plot twists in JSA, along with a thumbnail cover reveal for Detective Comics # 853.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars
