Monday, December 6, 2010

Back-Issue Alphabet: B is for Batman: Turning Points #5

Back-Issue Alphabet; B is for Batman: Turning Points #5 (2000) (Greg Rucka, Paul Pope)


At a glance, the cover isn’t very remarkable. It’s Batman and Commissioner Gorden standing on a rooftop and looking out into the city. However, upon closer inspection we see that they’re smiling as they gaze out into the night. That’s our first clue that this issue is a bit different from a lot of Batman stories. Just what are they smirking at? I bet some extremely rich guy on the adjacent rooftop slipped on a banana peel and landed on a pie. That always cracks me up.


From the description in the back of the book, we learn that Turning Points was a month long event where the relationship between Batman and Commissioner Gorden was explored at various intersections in each other’s careers. It as written with a five issue story arc in mind, but each issue could be read as a stand alone title.

In this issue, a man has arrived in Gotham City trying to track down Batman and Commissioner Gorden. But unlike most people trying to track down Batman, he isn’t carrying a duffel bag full of grenades or gas weapons with a unified gimmick; he’s brought his wife and young daughter. What’s his deal? Meanwhile, the Gotham City Police Department has just scored a major bust on a Russian drug ring, and our waiting for the inevitable retaliation. That leads to a scene with some great sound effect work:


Say it out loud, SPKTOW SPNICK. It feels real good.

It’s a fun read. There’s nothing ridiculous (on the stupid or awesome end of the spectrum) about it that I can exploit. It’s ultimately a story about hope, and the positive long term effects of a life spent in the protection and service of others. I haven’t read much of Greg Rucka’s work, but I’m definitely interested in checking out more.

1 comment:

  1. I have Greg Rucka's novelization of DC's No Man's Land. It's very well written. Not quite the same as the 12 month story arc over multiple titles and one-shots, but good none the less.

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