Batman: Full Moon #2
Chad Burdette
Recap
n ancient and supernatural force stalks the streets of Gotham City — a Lycan so powerful it'll defy Batman's most trusted resources: his brilliant mind and extensive gadgetry. But are Batman's physical strength and resilience alone enough to put the creature down for good? Or will this fight strip him down to his very bones? Even powerful magical allies like Zatanna caution that Bruce might not walk away from this one unscathed... Eisner-nominated writer Rodney Barnes (KILLADELPHIA) and breakout artist Stevan Subic (THE RIDDLER: YEAR ONE) tear into a horrific tale of pain and redemption as Batman meets his match: the werewolf of Gotham City!
Caught in a world of magic and myth, Batman must rely on the help of Zatanna and John Constantine if he’s to save his city... and himself... from the curse of the werewolf.
Batman: Full Moon #1 – When The Full Moon Turns White, That’s When I’ll Come Home
But with a full moon approaching, will the ancient magics Bruce’s allies manage to summon be enough to keep the beast away from Gotham’s most vulnerable? And can the werewolf’s human half find the salvation he so longingly desires?
Review
Batman: Full Moon #2 continues the Dark Knight’s encounter with a werewolf who is lurking on the streets of Gotham. The issue opens with Bruce recovering from the attack last issue and suffering from a fever dream as it is revealed that Bruce has been infected with the werewolf blood Dr. Langstrom and Constantine attend him and begin to try to figure out how to prevent him from becoming a werewolf. Barnes captures Constantine’s personality and jealousy nicely, not attempting to hide that John doesn’t approve of his relationship with Zatanna.
Alfred is stuck with the task of not only explaining why Bruce was attacked and trying to keep him from continuing his hunt as Batman for the man who is the beast.
The issue is heavy on the exposition as there are two story threads: Bruce and his attempts to rid himself of the werewolf curse and Christian, who is the werewolf, as he has taken up with some homeless at a church mission.
As Bruce tries to heal and purge himself of the curse, seeking Zatanna’s help unsuccessfully, Christian meets some fellow homeless who try their best to help him control the beast within, also unsuccessfully and resulting in a few more deaths.
The slow pacing for a majority of the issue is expected and it is Stubic’s art that is the thing that really stands out this month. There are a few instances where what is happening is hard to decern due to the overall dark tone the story requires. The kicker for the issue is Batman, as he is transforming into the werewolf, who bursts out of the Batmobile in a kinetic manner.
Final Thoughts
Batman: Full Moon #2 is a strong second issue that focuses on setting up the story, rather than an action-packed throwdown which the cliffhanger teases. It remains to be seen how much teeth the larger story remains and where the fate of Bruce as a werewolf, his relationship with Zatanna, and the Werewolf's fate lie.
Batman: Full Moon #2 –
- Writing - 8/108/10
- Storyline - 8/108/10
- Art - 10/1010/10
- Color - 8.4/108.4/10
- Cover Art - 10/1010/10
