When we talk about great Batman writers and artists, Matt Wagner doesn’t really get mentioned. But in the past sixteen years, Wagner has put together a nice little body of work, starting with “Faces” in Legends of the Dark Knight. Adding in a couple of Grendel/Batman crossovers, a movie tie in (writing only) featuring the Riddler, the Trinity miniseries and the Batman and the Monster Men mini, Wagner has been able to play with the character without any heavy ties to continuity.
Focusing on Catwoman for the first few pages, Wagner ties this into Batman: Year One in a number of ways, making this feel part of a larger continuum rather than an easily dismissable stand alone story. There’s a difference between being part of the continuum and being tied into continuity. With the Year One references, Wagner makes this part of the larger Batman mythos, without being tied into anything that’s going on in the current Batman, Detective or any other series. Wagner’s two miniseries exist in the same relative space as the Loeb/Sale books. Catwoman and corrupt cops out to get Gordon are taken from Year One even as Wagner adds Julie Madison, her father and vampirism into his story.
Wagner has a distinctive Batman, reminiscent more of David Mazzuchelli or Alan Davis than Neal Adams or Jim Aparo. His Batman stands tall and proud, confident of the work he’s doing. Wagner’s artwork is easily as confident has his characters, each bold line necessary for the whole image. No line or panel is wasted in this book. Instead of being flashy or garish, Wagner’s artwork remains solid and dependable.
This book should be the All-Star Batman book. While Frank Miller seems to be testing the limits of DC and the readers with his over-the-top portrayal of Batman and his world, Wagner concentrates on what’s made Batman a lasting character. Instead of trying to impose his own thoughts and feelings on the character, he’s working with what has already existed in the character, his dark, uncompromising heroism, and is crafting a timeless tale.
Batman and the Mad Monk #1
Written and Drawn by: Matt Wagner
Colored by: Dave Stewart
Lettered by: Rob Leigh
