Batman: Gotham After Midnight #5 – Review

By Steve Niles (writer), Kelley Jones (art and cover), Michelle Madsen (colors), Pat Brosseau (letters)

Things take a sinister turn in Gotham and the inevitable clash between Batman and Midnight looms ever closer. Man-Bat and a Midnight imposter crash Bruce’s party and the body count rises. After an issue or two where the quality suffered with Clayface, Niles returns to form with a real page-turner that refuses to let up. It looks like we’re about to see a huge turn in the story with the reintroduction of a familiar face who I’ve wanted to see for a long time.

Niles and Batman are back and the long-winded responses are gone, replaced with the dark brooding dialogue we all know and love. This issue does an excellent job of starting the transition to move things away from Midnight. Long term, it’s probably his arc, but the introduction of The Joker guarantees a bit of focus on him and his plan to play Midnight and Batman off each other. In addition to Niles’ focus on Batman’s rogues, he also does a good job illustrating the Batman “without the mask.” In this issue, Bruce Wayne ditches the drunken playboy act and risks his identity to save Henderson. We’ve seen this before, where Wayne often disappears and comes back in cape and cowl, but in this story, we are reminded that there is no Bruce Wayne, it’s all Batman with and without the mask.

Kelley Jones has an excellent visual fake-out in the final panels of the issue. Since we saw the fake Midnight at the party earlier, we’re expecting to see him at the end. “Mr Blagueur” has the same creepy shadowed face and eyes, we’ve been shown panel by panel of Midnight. To my surprise (and relief) it’s our friend the clown prince of crime. The final frame of his face is my favorite in the book. The horror tone to his face really suits the character. He’s drawn and written as disturbingly as his actions, haunting the readers.

Steve Niles, has answered my wishes, and the Joker appears to be the focus of the next few issues. Expectations are high for me, and I think he can pull it off. I’ve been interested in his take on the character since he was seen in Arkham, and now I’ll get my wish. Best of all, some of the focus will be taken from the villain I’m assuming everyone isn’t interested in. Niles’ Batman is definitely worth checking, and it’s not too far in. (Grade: B+)

– Ben Berger