WRITER: Alan Grant PENCILER(s): Tim Sale INKER(s): Tim Sale COLORS: Adrienne Roy LETTERS: Todd Klein EDITOR(s): Dennis O'Neil COVER: Brian Stelfreeze
PRICE: $1.50 U.S./$2.00 Canada
CHARACTERS:
Batman (Bruce Wayne); Robin (Tim Drake); Alfred Pennyworth; Commissioner James Gordon; Sarah Essen; Lt. Stan Kitch; Mayor Krol; Lucius Fox;
Chancer; Cat-Man (Thomas Blake); Killer Moth (Drury Walker); Calendar Man (Julian Day)
INTERIOR ART:
PLOT:
In case you were wondering, no, this story doesn't involve Glen Danzig's '80s punk band. Things kick off with Bruce Wayne, Commissioner Gordon, and Mayor Krol being held hostage in a rusty crate. The crate is punched with holes and has been lowered into the Gotham harbor, quickly filling with water. Despite Krol's bitter hopelessness, Wayne and Gordon act fast in escaping from their watery grave, and in a MacGyver like scene, Wayne asks everyone to empty their pockets. Scraping away at the loose rust reveals screwheads, and he begins working away with Gordon's smoker's knife. The use of Krol's hair gel even makes for much needed oil.
Meanwhile, atop GCPD headquarters, Robin, Nimrod, and Sergeant Essen are seen planning out a rescue. Essen is informed that she must deliver the $10 million ransom, and Robin agrees to trust the fugitive, Nimrod, and allow him to prove his innocence by helping their mission.
Essen meets with Killer Moth, Catman, Chancer and Calendar Man and begins reasoning. Meanwhile, Robin evades Catman's vicious cougar with the aid of Ace, his watchdog. He then makes his way to the submerged crate and presumably helps free the hostages.
Not long after Moth snatches the $10 million briefcase from Essen, Nimrod is on the prowl. He makes a jump on the villains but is quickly spotted by Moth's infrared vision and held at gunpoint. A Batarang makes the save, and with some potentially reckless help from Nimrod, Batman finishes off the villainous collaboration one by one.
As police and ambulances arrive, Nimrod begins revealing his past to Batman, claiming that he and his girlfriend participated in a Dallas robbery after a company's refusal to pay him. Consequently, his girlfriend was murdered by Chancer, who was robbing the same safe. A sympathetic Batman handcuffs Nimrod and proclaims that his luck may've changed, putting an end to "Misfits."
REVIEW:
In the initial means of escape, Bruce Wayne attempts a powerful front kick from inside the flooding crate. This causes Gordon to comment "Didn't know Karate was one of your talents, Mr. Wayne..." Wayne uneasily explains that he had to take a course on it and that he thought it was "silly." It's evident that this, along with Wayne's usage of the pocket knife, contributes to the many small pieces that, over time, help Commissioner Gordon realize Batman's true identity. This particular life-or-death case gives Wayne no choice but to utilize his best escape skills, making for an interesting scenario. The only irritating aspect is that the final escape, apparently aided by Robin, is not shown. A half-page illustration of the crate bursting open would've been great, and I'm guessing that Grant and/or Sale thought it was either unnecessary or couldn't figure how the crate would be opened.
I also enjoy Ace's small participation in the story. Bruce Wayne's watchdog rarely makes an appearance in the modern day adventures; at least I can hardly recall an instance. On this occasion, however, he even has a quick scuttle with Catman's black cougar, precluding the elementary Krypto the Superdog, though in a much darker and more violent manner of course.
Occasions arise where I feel that a writer plays too much on Batman's cold, aggressive side, but this particular issue includes a scene that I find both surprising and satisfying. The Dark Knight shows little sympathy as Calendar Man, wielding Killer Moth's gun, proclaims that he doesn't want to have to shoot Batman. Realizing the severity of the situation, he finally puts his guard down entirely, allowing Batman to shoot a "Thanks!" as he punches Calendar Man out cold.
Tim Sale has pencil duties with this one, and I admit that I'm not incredibly fond of his presentation in general. It lacks detail at times and uses a certain waviness that just doesn't accomplish much with facial expressions. At the same time, however, the numerous depictions of the Dark Knight look excellent in their own way. The ink job by Adrienne Roy suits the art well; I especially admire a headshot of Batman highlighted in the pink, purple, and blue of police and ambulance lights. But certain spots are mistakenly colored even in uncluttered panels, which can get annoying.
Killer Moth's final statement on his founding of the "misfits" is full of anguish and ends in a predictably pitiful manner. The group shows friction and an inability to work together throughout the story. Evidently, a group of low-grade villains teaming up will simply create one, big embarrassment rather than several small ones. But a lot of great, small moments here add up to a pretty well rounded story by Alan Grant.
- 6/26/06
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