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The great Jason Aaron writes his first Batman.
And the equally great Doug Mahnke draws it.
You immediately have to think it's great.
Or, if you belong to the fundamentally critical faction, you'll be disappointed straight away. Before the read.
I tend to be one of those who applaud more reservedly, the late round of applause, so to speak.
And therefore try to read as neutrally as possible. Sure, I'm bubbling over with anticipation and excitement, but I tell my subconscious to shut up, I have to read now.
And this as-neutral-as-possible reader liked what they served us with Batman Off-World #1.
Jason Aaron is not reinventing Batman. Quite the opposite. He invents a setting that is daring, but exciting, not totally new, but surprising and intriguing.
The Batman does the typical Batman things. He doesn't let himself be impressed by aliens that are as powerful as they are ugly, gets a few ribs broken in return, which he of course stoically puts up with as usual, throws a Batpunch at the biggest in the troupe and earns a little respect in return, not only from the big boss, but also from the only female (?) being present. Of course, he also gets some time out in the dungeon, which he then naturally uses to train how to beat up aliens.
Typical Batstuff then.
I like it. Why should Aaron reinvent the Dark Knight in his first Batman? Better let those deal with it who are more familiar with Bruce, like King or Zdarsky.
And I also like its sci-fi setting. Batman against the war-crazy Über-aliens. On a mission, the reason for which we don't quite understand yet, 'cause a bit of mystery has to remain to keep us curious.
But what I like the very very most of all is what Doug Mahnke makes of it. Awesome spaceships. Impressively ugly and remarkably lifelike aliens, all of which are individuals, no two are alike. Thrilling action.
And something that not many manage to do: put the fever and the suspense into pictures. With Doug Mahnke and his love for the details, at a certain point you always have the feeling that the paper comes to life.
Inker Jaime Mendoza und colorist David Baron also play a significant role in this, of course.
Looking forward to the next issue.
Batman Off-World #1 (Of 6) Cover A Doug Mahnke
€7,50
A routine night in Gotham City for a young Batman proves to be anything but routine when the crime-fighter is confronted with a sort of foe he's never faced before--one from beyond the stars! A universe of possible alien threats… read more
