THE DARK KNIGHT #3

[ MINE TO BUY OR RENT ] 

When Batman works with the Flash. Barry knows that Bruce can splash the cash. But Bruce doesn't do this for long, especially when he find out Barry wears a thong, and his cleanliness is a bit slap dash. Or else, why don’t you have a peek at this story, Written and Drawn by Paul Jenkins and David Finch; and Published by DC Comics in December 2011.

So what’s the story morning glory?

I feel that ‘Catch Me If You Can’ is a story divided into four chapters.

Chapter One, involves Batman fighting a Joker disguised Clayface on a speeding train, until Barry (The Flash) Allen shows up to help him, just as the White Rabbit disappears into the ether.

Chapter Two, relates to Batman ‘delivering’ Clayface to Lieutenant Forbes, whilst warning this erstwhile cop about his attitude in the process.

Chapter Three, is a dual strand investigative part of the story. Where, whilst Bruce is in his civilian guise, he tries to ascertain if Jai is the White Rabbit or not – she not. Before, next, whilst in his Batman guise, he analyzes the spores’ left behind at the train incident – only to figure out that Poison Ivy is involved somehow.

And finally, in Chapter Four, we see Batman and Flash team up once again – except that Flash has to flee because his has been nipped by a bud – and Batman... not to find nish.

What is the most memorable sentence spoken in this issue?

OK, I am a bit old school - so I loved it when Batman threatened Forbes, by saying to him ‘If you mess with me, I’ll find you and you will never see me coming. If you compromise my work, I’ll knock you down so quickly you’ll think that you travelled backwards in time. If you hurt my people... if you so much as hand them a parking ticket... I’ll be the first shadow you forget to check’.

Boy, I am sure that Clint Eastwood would be proud. 

Was the story any good?

Yes – I did not mind this story overall. For a start, there was a more confident manner in which this story progressed in – as if certain boxes didn’t have to be ticked any more (writers know what I am talking about). Moreover, I was surprised by the Flash’s appearance – that was neat.

However, ‘neat’ in this case, means ‘hollow’.

Now what I mean by this, is that Flash was nothing more than a ‘token’ in this story, and his inclusion did not have any bearing upon the overall tale.

Shame.

Was the art any good?

YESSSSSSSS!!!!! You know what? I am going to have a problem each month, coming up with nice things to say about David Finch’s art.

Well, I suppose that in this issue, I can complement the way in which his rendition of the Flash, is even better than the rendition in his own book. Plus, I have to give a warm shout out to inker extraordinaire, Richard Friend, who gives David’s line work that added boldness and depth, thus making it that much more special.

Bravo guys. 

What is the best thing about this issue?

Apart from the bang up art and the nice cameo by the Flash, I have to say that I really enjoyed Batman scarring the crap out of Lieutenant Forbes. It was as though Batman was channelling his Frank Miller doppelganger, plus Clint Eastwood’s, Dirty Harry, also.

Now isn’t it nice to be nasty? Not like Simon Cowell though – that’s just rude.

What is the worst thing about this issue?

At the moment, White Rabbit and Jai come across as very pretty eye candy – and nothing else. Well, these two sexy women do feel a bit superficial all in all, and they seem to be utilised as desirable objects, which pout a lot whilst exposing their cleavage.

I hope that David and Paul have something in mind for these girls – the DCnU is getting a sexist reputation already.

Also, as I said before, the Flash - why?

If you could sum up this issue in a phrase or saying, what would that phrase or saying be?

In a strange way, this issue reminded me of a punch line said in the film ‘Trading Places’ – ‘Watch that S Car Go’.

Think about it.

If this issue were a movie, an object, or a piece of music, what would that be and why? 

OK, so this issue had an investigation, someone threatening a cop, a team-up with a low degree of merit, and felt kind of silly as a tale. Therefore, in my estimation, this issue is the theme tune from Lethal Weapon Four by War ‘Why Can't We Be Friends’.

What do you think would have made this issue better than it was?

For a start, I would have given Flash something more to do than get pricked and then run about a lot. Also, I would have made Batman stick Forbes’ head down the loo, flush, just long enough until the little f*cker screamed for his mammy.

Final thoughts...

Overall, this issue of the Dark Knight was a marginal improvement from last issues offerings. Now if David and Paul continue on this same track from here on in, I am sure that we should see a stand out issue by Christmas – 2014.

Ha!

Just kidding guys – love the improvement, keep on rocking.

Marks out of 10? 8