COMIC REVIEW: Batman: Knight of Vengeance #2

I’m going to say this with all sincerity and not an ounce of snark or sarcasm. This comic is the reason why I read comics.


For the first time, in the Flash Point mini (minis) did I really read a story that felt like all bets were off and anything could go on this world. The whole point of Flashpoint is the butterfly effect of going back in time and see what would happen if… and of all the issues that has been published thus far, this one truly exemplifies what can be done with the perfect “What if” scenario. Even in the main Flashpoint series, nothing has made me go “OH SHIT!” and could not have been told in the modern DCU.

Brian Azzarello, of 100 Bullets fame, picks up where issue one left off. Harvey Dent's kids have been kidnapped by the Joker and Oracle may have found out where the Joker is. Jim Gordon goes to see this new Flashpoint Oracle who gives him a clue as to where the kids are. Jim, knowing who the Joker is, leaves Batman out of the loop and heads off to rescue the kids. Batman eventually finds out from Oracle and heads off to find the Joker, Jim Gordon, and Harvey's kids.

Nothing special or unique about this story so far. But Brian and artist Eduardo Risso have great chemistry and you can really tell that the two of them really like this story. Risso constructs a great story through the art. It is so good, that you don't even need the words and you know what is going on. The words at this point is just gravy. Every emotional and agony drawn face leaves a lasting imprint on the mind.

And like I spoke earlier, because this is in an alternate universe and pretty much anything should be game, truly EVERYTHING is, in this story. What the Joker does to the children down to the last two pages, was well worth the money spent on this comic. I cannot recommend this book enough. If you have three dollars to blow, go pick it up and read it. And if you don't, hell, just go to your local comic shop and read it there. If the owner tries to stop you or bitches, punch him in the face and finish the book. It. Is. Well. Worth. It.

OH, and just for added kicks, a small spoiler... Batman snaps a dude's neck. This Batman is all about ass kicking.

Verdict: LOVED IT!