Batman #664 - Mobile Edition

Back Issues
Batman #664
By Leroy Douresseaux
June 17, 2007 - 14:41

DC Comics
Writer(s): Grant Morrison
Penciller(s): Andy Kubert
Inker(s): Jesse Delperdang
Cover Artist(s): Andy Kubert, Joe Kubert
32 pp., Color, $2.99

DeShawn, a flashy African-American pimp who dresses like the late golfer Payne Stewart, provides some of Gotham City Police Department’s finest with prostitutes. In Batman #664 (“Three Ghosts of Batman”), the Dark Knight is investigating the rumors of a “monster” being involved in the gruesome murder of one of DeShawn’s… employees. Before long, The Bat finds himself face to face with a burly, muscular fellow who dresses in a costume based on Batman’s and looks like a certain bad guy who once broke the Caped Crusader.

THE LOWDOWN: It’s hard to believe that last year I dissed Grant Morrison for his work on Batman, whereas now, each issue brings me joy. Why? Morrison had stated that he wanted to bring the fun back to Batman – a character that had grown increasingly darker since Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. Now, the character seems to be more in the mode of Doug Moench’s early 80’s run on the title, with a generous dash of post-Miller edge thrown in just to keep some bite in the title. Now, Batman is dark, but lively and electric like the Bruce Timm animated Batman.

Meanwhile, the art team of Andy Kubert & Jesse Delperdang continues to deliver stylish, moody art that captures superhero comics’ pulp origins and, with Guy Major’s colors, its pop sensibilities. The final four pages and the father/son cover joint are indicative of why this current run of Batman is a run of fun.

FOR READERS OF: Readers that want a good, consistent, highly entertaining Batman comic will enjoy this.

B+