A Batman Goes To War in Batman: The Dark Age #2

The issue picks up in 2030 as Bruce continues to recount his life story with some interesting musings on why people tend to want to live in the past.

The main story picks up in 1965 as Bruce is serving his sentence on the trumped-up charges attacking/protecting Selina Kyle from the mugger in the alley,  Knowing that he is still a target while in jail, Bruce has Alfred send him a birthday present that allows him to easily handle some of his fellow inmates looking to cash in on being the one to kill him. Following this attempted attack Bruce learns that he is being sent to fight in the Vietnam War, arranged by the Wayne Foundation to ensure he disappears for good.

Russell does a great bait-and-switch as Bruce believes himself to be assigned as a swim coach, only to find himself behind enemy lines as part of a black ops group comprised of other rich, privileged young men who have also found themselves in trouble with the law.  Here, Russell drops the names of two of Bruce’s compatriots, one of which is Oliver Queen and one named Max, presumably Maxwell Lord.  These men are led by Ras Al Ghul who instructs them in the art of jungle warfare and survival, answering the question of where Bruce got his training that he will one day use as Batman.

It is also here where the existence of Superman is learned and the men discuss why, if he is so strong he just doesn’t fly over and end the war. This is a great callback to Earth-2 and as to why the Golden Age Superman didn’t just fly over and capture Hitler and end WWII. While no answer is given (yet), one can hope that when Bruce, as Batman finally meets Superman, this question comes up in an exchange.

It is also during the Vietnam War part of the story that Russell, through Ras explains how the game of chess isn’t war but politics. Bruce receives his honorable discharge from the military and returns to Gotham, knowing that in doing so he is a dead man. Once back in Gotham, a now more mature Bruce decides that he has to take down the False Face Society so that his father’s dream for Gotham can be realized.

After visiting Lucius Fox and discovering the prototype suit that will become the Bat suit, Bruce prepares and goes full out “Home Alone” on False Face goons attacking the Manor.

The art of Mike Allred and the colors of Laura Allred continue to bring Bruce’s story and surroundings alive and with vibrance even though a darker and muted palette are used in the panels. These elements when combined with Mark Russell’s storytelling continue to tell a riveting story that is only unfolding as the seeds concerning Pariah’s plan for this Earth leading to Crisis are still being sown.