Full disclosure: I have only a passing knowledge of Batman and Robin’s 2017 activities or identities. Having said this, I am reviewing the first issue of a comic book published by Dynamite Comics and DC, entitled The Shadow/Batman.
This issue’s Cover A (there are several variants) is by David Finch and is appropriately bright (to attract comic shelf shoppers) and dark and mysterious.
Inside this first issue, we begin on New Year’s Eve, where a public celebration is interrupted by Lazlo Valentin (aka The Pyg).
Pyg is a formidable foe but is able to get under the skin of both Batman and Shadow. The Shadow’s presence in this issue is limited, by the way.
Meanwhile, Robin (Damian) is not a happy 13-year-old; he has issues within issues. Batman can only do so much.
And so, the plot circles and develops between Pyg, his connections, Batman Vs Robin conflict and some strange links to crimes of the past.
If you are, like me, trying to jump into this comic book without having any prior knowledge of the characters, you may find the story puzzling. There is little to no editorial assistance for the first time reader.
Having said that about this, Shadow and Batman issue 1 is a moody, entertaining crime story, well paced (writer: Steve Orlando) and well illustrated (Giovanni Timpano, colors Flavio Dispenza). Check it out. $3.99 well spent.
Newsdesk