Batman: The Dark Ages #3
Chad Burdette
Recap
Bruce Wayne has returned from Vietnam and after surviving an assisnation attempt by the False Face Society discovers he may wield more power without a mask as he reenters society to rave reviews.
But when an ambitious Carmine Falcone takes over Gotham with the help of his False Face Society, Batman realizes the only way to win the war is with allies.
Will the next generation be up to the task? Or is Gotham doomed to continue living in this dark age?
Review
Batman: The Dark Age #3 begins once again with Bruce in the nursing home talking with his psychiatrist, whose identity and connection to the Batman mythos is finally revealed, adding another layer of mystery and intrigue to the story that Russell is building.
Speaking of story building, this is the main thrust of this issue and it works well as it begins to answer many questions raised in the first issue.
The issue also sees a matured Bruce Wayne now looking at his past actions and how he had squandered his youth, but also prepared him for his mission to save the city and work towards restoring his father’s vision for Gotham. The machinations of the False Face society and how they were manipulating Gotham both economically and socially are explained cleary almost as if it were pulled from the news here in the real world.
The issues also introduce some well-known characters organically and in a way that builds on what is happening, not shoehorned in just to get them there. THe first meeting between Batman and Superman occurs, defying the “the heroes must fight first” trope. One of Bruce’s army buddies returns having adopted his vigilante persona and the first meeting between Gordan and Batman is revealed and classic characters such as Johnathan Crane and Chase Meridian also make cameo appearances adding to the roster of characters readers can hope are revisited as the story goes on.
Russell devotes a page to peer into the mind of Pariah, who knows a Crisis is coming, while the rest of the Wane Enterprises Board is more worried about profits. This sardonic moment is one of the lighter moments in this issue which is the darkest of the series so far.
The only thing that might take readers out of the story is that the solicit teases the appearance of Dick Grayson, who will be become Robin, Like what he has done with this version of Batman, Russell sets up a similar origin twist for Dick becoming Batman’s sidekick in the fight for Gotham.
The artwork, and colors by the Allred’s continues to add a layer to the story giving it a feeling of the gloom that has encompassed Gotham and separates it from the framing sequences that bookend the issue.
Final Thoughts
Batman: The Dark Ages #3 continues to be a strong read as this issue fills in how Gotham has become the sad state and total opposite of what Thomas Wayne envisioned. The issue also does a great job of introducing new allies and enemies for Bruce and his alter ego, Batman.
The introduction of Dick Grayson also receives a new and interesting which will play out over the rest of the series.
If there is one disappointing aspect to this issue it is finding out that the next installment is about two months away in July.
Batman: The Dark Ages #3:
- Writing - 9.5/109.5/10
- Storyline - 10/1010/10
- Art - 10/1010/10
- Color - 10/1010/10
- Cover Art - 10/1010/10
