In an interview with The Believer, Persepolis writer Marjane Satrapi lamented comics’ limitation to superhero stories, saying there was “more to life than Batman and the Joker.” The gist of her argument aside, she could have picked a better example. Batman and the Joker are two of American folklore’s great foils. Their visual and psychological differences aren’t just entertaining, they suggest diametrically opposed worldviews that a good writer can spin into gold. Enter Michael Green’s new run on Batman Confidential.

In Batman Confidential #7, a youthful Batman tracks a murderer who defies his expectations. Batman has crime in Gotham down to a science, but this mysterious killer defies every formula and explanation Bruce Wayne can offer.  

Batman’s an ultra-rationalist and the (future) Joker’s a pill-popper with zero enthusiasm for life. These characterizations are brilliantly conceived and executed. Michael Green  gives Bruce Wayne a meticulous, scientific approach to crime. This Batman is still naïve enough to think he can develop a criminological calculus that might reduce lawbreaking to an equation. Of course, Bruce Wayne intends to insert himself as the variable that will render the equation nil.

Be still, my heart! Is that a tragic flaw I see in the hero’s character? One can only hope. A return to tragedy not predicated on cheap emotional stunts—especially in comics—is much needed these days.

Writing of this style (and caliber) deserves Ale Garza, Jim Lee, or someone who puts quality before style. Bruce Wayne’s ultra-rationalism demands that proportion and the fundamentals of draftsmanship come first. Penciler Denys Cowan clearly has a lot of potential, but he needs a story his rough, Leinil Yu-ish style meshes with.

Worth the money? Undoubtedly. It’s amazing. Buy it.