This is an odd five issue mini-series from 2001. Each part is a separate story with the only link between them being the developing relationship between Batman and Jim Gordon. The series had three writers – Greg Rucka, Ed Brubaker and Chuck Dixon – and seven artists (not including cover artists) that worked on it.
The series looks at five points in the relationship between Gordon and Batman and explores the doubts, fears and the growing reliance of each for the other over an approximate ten year period. The first story is set in the early days of the Batman and shows the reluctance of the Batman to rush into a hostage situation as he is not confident in his own abilities and he doesn’t want to antagonise Gordon. The second story is set around the time that the first Robin appeared and focuses on Gordon’s doubts as to whether this is a good idea. The third story is set in the aftermath of the crippling of Barbara Gordon and the killing of Jason Todd and concentrates on the doubts Batman feels about how he might be creating the monsters that plague Gotham. The fourth story is set during the Knightfall storyline, when Bruce Wayne has been replaced as the Batman due to his injuries at the hands of Bane, and explores Gordon’s loss at the man behind the mask and whether he can, or should, work with the new Batman. As I stopped reading the various Bat-titles on a regular basis not long after the Knightfall story, I am not sure if the final story is set around any significant storyline in the comics. In it there is a new chief of police and Gordon has lost his second wife and the two old friends have to confront a spectre from the first story as a perpetrator from the first story returns to Gotham to confront the pair.
Before starting to read this book I was unsure as to whether I would enjoy it or not given the multiple creators involved – a case of too many cooks? But to my delight I found that I really enjoyed it. The focus on Gordon and Batman’s relationship worked well for me and it helped that I recognised from the stories where they fitted into the continuity for the most part. The first story was particularly interesting as I don’t think I have read any other Batman story that shows him being anything other than confident in his own abilities from the outset. The importance of the relationship between the two men shone through throughout the book with each taking turns at supporting the other. A fine addition to my collection of Batman books.
First published on RevolutionSF on Sunday Feb 27, 2011
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