01 May 2010

Streets of Gotham #11


Essentials:
Published April 21, 2010
Written by Paul Dini
Pencils by Dustin Nguyen
Ink by Derek Fridolfs
Colors by John Kalisz
Letters by Steve Wands
Story Title: "Final Cut"

Verdict: 5 bats out of 5



Finally wrapping up a case that has followed them for eleven issues, Robin and Abuse take down Victor Zsasz and his despicable operation.


Damian Wayne's time as Robin has been...tempestuous, to say the least. His initial role was to reverse the usual Batman/Robin dynamic: a grim, violent Robin to Dick Grayson's friendlier Batman. Sometimes, he fills that role well, serving as a contrast for Grayson's failings and strengths as the new Dark Knight. Sometimes, Damian's petulant personality just comes across as annoying. His character works best, as this issue (and Streets of Gotham as a whole) demonstrates, when he has a chance to work on his own, taking initiative rather than just reluctantly following Batman's orders. It allows him to spend his energy actually fighting crime, instead of fighting with his partner.

This particular story-arc has also emphasized Damian's humanity, a part of hi
s personality that he tries hard to suppress. This is Damian at his best, fighting not because he's supposed to but because he truly wants to avenge the children that Victor Zsasz has killed. Streets of Gotham has also introduced a moral foil for Damian in the form of a young orphan named Colin, one of the most fascinating characters to come out of the series.

Colin, who can turn into a muscle-bound vigilante named Abuse, had the
potential to be just another overzealous Batman-wannabe, a character type that is all too common in comics of the last few decades. Instead, despite his brutish appearance, Colin has a conscience that rivals Batman's and far exceeds Damian's. Colin has enough faith in his code against killing that he even convinces Damian--who was raised by assassins--not to kill Zsasz. In theory, he's not a particularly creative character--his characterization has shades of older Robins mixed with Captain Marvel--but in execution, Colin is a brilliant addition to the defenders of Gotham City.

Most members of Batman's extensive Rogues Gallery rely on gimmicks and themes, from classics like the Joker and the Penguin to villains of questionable quality like Batman and Robin's Flamingo. Victor Zsasz is a rare case among Batman villains in that he has no real theme, and no real goal, other than death. The closest thing he has to a motif is the incredibly creepy tally he keeps of his victims, slicing hatch marks into his own skin, which seems more at home in a horror movie than a mainstream comic book. He's a remnant of the Nineties' obsession with dark and violent storylines, and while he was too disturbing for more than a cameo in Batman Begins, he is perfect for Streets of Gotham. From the beginning, Streets has been about a slightly darker Gotham City, from its story content to its art style.

On the left is the cover to the first issue of
Streets of Gotham. On the right is the cover to the first issue to Batman and Robin. These two comics came out not only in the same year, but in the same month. If one of these books is going to feature Victor Zsasz, it's certainly going to be Streets of Gotham. A villain like the Riddler--who seems to appear in every other Batman title at the moment--would be out of place. Streets of Gotham has a very defined mood and style, and it stays consistent.



Artwork
During his year as Robin, Damian has appeared in quite a few titles and has been drawn by quite a few artists. Dustin Nguyen is one of the few who can draw the newest Robin well. His depiction of Colin shows off the boy's impressive musculature while keeping him from being truly grotesque, and the action scenes keep within the rules of actual anatomy.

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cool, will have to check this one out. I've never actually read the Zsasz storyline, though I'm aware of it through other fans.

Thank god for anatomical realism. I love comics, but sheeesh.

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