DC Comics reviews 8/21/19 – Batman #77, Superman Year One #2

Year of the Villain Black Mask #1

Outside of Hawkman, we haven’t really seen many villains making use of Lex Luthor’s offer so far. That changes with this issue from writer Tom Taylor and artist Cully Hammer. Taylor efficiently uses his page count to recap Black Mask’s dark and backstory before seeing how Luthor’s gift improves his opportunities for mayhem.

This is the second YOTV one-shots and Taylor doesn’t just keep the focus on Black Mask. Renee Montoya and Batwoman co-star in this issue as Montoya is looking to stop his latest reign of terror. Taylor takes a pretty practical route in enhancing Black Mask. As a Batman villain, he doesn’t need a major upgrade with powers, but what he gets is a smart way to make him more formidable. With Black Mask getting a featured role in the upcoming Harley Quinn and Birds of Prey film it makes sense to raise his threat level a notch.

Hammer utilizes a rougher style than many of his contemporaries, but his dramatic storytelling provides a better sense of constant movement. That’s key in this kind of story. Colorist Dave Stewart goes with brighter colors, which always makes for an interesting contrast for Gotham-based characters.

It’s very early in The Gifts portion of the Year of the Villain arc, but if most books are of this quality they’ll be worth checking out to see how Luthor tips the scales in favor of his fellow bad guys.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Photo Credit: DC Comics