Reviewer: Mathan Erhardt
Story Title: Chapter Two
Written by: Greg Rucka
Art by: Klaus Janson
Lettered by: Clem Robins
Colored by: Steve Buccellato
Editor: Matt Idelson
Publisher: DC Comics
The story moves along nicely in this issue. We find out what Ra’s is offering Batman in return for his easing up on the destruction of the Lazarus pits… I won’t give it away, but it is enough to tempt Bruce. However it does come at a price.
We get a glimpse into Nyssa’s past. We see how Ra’s mounted an attack on her for possession of her pit. We also see how she met Talia, Ra’s daughter. But the most shocking thing that we learn about Nyssa is what she knows. And someone has broken into the Batcave, again.
I love Ra’s. Rucka is doing a splendid job of writing Ra’s, and by extension Batman (personally I feel as though Batman is always at his best against Ra’s.) Rucka writes the best Ra’s this side of Denny. The scenes between Ra’s and Batman are very well written. He has also created a cipher in Nyssa. Plus the story is slowly drawing me in.
Klaus is doing some of the best work of his career here. You can tell it is a labor of love. The depiction of a deteriorating Ra’s is a haunting image, but an amazing one too. As is Bruce’s temptation and infatuation with Ra’s proposition. Beautiful art.
I really love this Batman tale. With each issue we learn more about the back-story, which is tantalizing.
