THE DARK KNIGHT #13

[ CHAINED BY A BARGAIN ] 

Can you guess what makes Batman afraid? It is something to do with a diamond or a jade? Scarecrow must know. He has a giant afro. Which constantly needs to be pampered and sprayed! Yeah. Sprayed. Like the re-upholstered creative team of Writer: Gregg Hurwitz; Artist: David Finch; and Publisher: DC Comics in November 2012.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

Boy-oh-boy! You've got to feel sorry for Batman in this issue entitled 'The Undead Past'! Well, if it wasn't bad enough that the Scarecrow has kidnapped him. Worst still, Mister bag-face himself pollutes Mister pointy-ears with a very strange fear gas that corrupts his very soul.

• Please note though, this isn't your normal run of the mill 'fear gas' I'm talking about here. Oh No!
• But rather something that brings forth the Dark Knights inner most demons, in the form of bastardized perceptions, self deprecating analysis, and a hallucination of the path less traveled.
• Holy Sh*t! What can Batman do about this? Huh? Run? Hide? Fight? Focus? Or....

CRASH!

To be continued next issue...

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

At the beginning of this story there was a really nice double-page spread depicting a young Jonathan Crane crouched down in a morbid dungeon, stating 'Please. Just make it s... s... ssstop'.

To me, both this statement and this scene perfectly conveyed the sentiment behind this issue very-very well. The Scarecrow doesn't want his past to haunt him anymore. And the Batman doesn't want to be near the Scarecrow anymore either.

Enough said.

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

There was a real sense of dread hanging in the air throughout this yarn, making it come across more 'dangerous' than your conventional Scarecrow story. Myself, I put it this facet down to how Gregg structured this piece in a rather ying / yang manner, mixing fractured scenes to be combined into a somewhat linear narrative.

Great. Just great.

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

My one small gripe with this issue was that segment where Batman got slashed by the Scarecrow, only for him to try to reach the light for safety.

Why? Why was Batman reaching for the light? It didn't make sense to me at the time, although it may become more apparent next issue.  

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: The stand out scene for me in this story was when the Scarecrow explained to Batman that it was he who was haunting his own mind, added by the Scarecrows new fear toxin. Wow! What a right zinger that was! All along I just presumed Mister bag-face was coaxing old Bruce's noggin. But no. It was Bruce's inner most thoughts instead. How original!

ART: By in large David Finch draws a mean looking bat tale. His stuff is gritty. Bold. And overall poster-worthy per panel. However, in this issue I did notice one or two pieces of art that appeared a bit rushed compared to the rest. Not greatly. I agree. But rather more 'samey' and 'murky' in tone.

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

BATMAN: Now if Batman was a breakfast cereal, what do you think he'd be? What! A Donut? How dare you! Go and sit in the corner and recite the play 'Romeo and Juliet' in Hebrew! I've always thought of him as something like muesli myself. Always good for you -- if not an acquired taste.

SCARECROW: And as for this git on the other hand -- well -- a bowl of nails. Say no more.

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

Who Need's Psychiatry? Why Don't You Go And Get Kidnapped By The Scarecrow Today! He'll Show You A Way To Beat Yourself Up, No Problem.

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

Due to the melancholy and haunting tone of this tale, I feel compelled to compare it to the Beatles song 'In My Life'. Here, check out this clip to see what I mean.

Nice, isn't it? Very maudlin and plucky.

FINAL thoughts...

Yee-Haw! I loved reading this issue of 'The Dark Knight'. Not only did it continue where it left off two issues ago, but it also presented us with a great new spin on how Batman thinks about himself, as well as how the Scarecrows 'toxins' can be expanded upon in the future.

It does make you wonder though, huh? Is Batman a masochist at heart? Does he do what he does out of fear of being 'normal'? And is that one of the main reasons why he keeps on pushing everyone he knows away from him?

Hmmm. Food for though. Plenty of thought.

MARKS out of 10? 9