DC Comics reviews 10/26/21 – DC vs Vampires #1, Checkmate #5

Batman The Long Halloween Special #1

While so much of DC is heading to a future state, Batman: The Long Halloween Special is a welcome return to one of DC’s greatest Batman stories of the past.

Writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale reunite for a bonus chapter of their epic Batman maxi-series. This is a direct follow-up to TLH with Batman and Commissioner Gordon responding to The Calendar Man a year after. Julian Day is still upset with Holiday for stealing his holiday theme gimmick and is gunning for Gilda Dent.

Now with the return of Two-Face, everything in Gotham promises to get shaken up again.

Loeb works in newer characters to the story with Robin and Batgirl showing how easily they would have been incorporated in a Dark Victory sequel.

Sale’s unique art style is impressively time proof. While Long Halloween debuted in 1996, there’s not the typical telltale signs of degradation to his work. Sale’s work holds up incredibly well and he remains a masterful storyteller. Check the scenes with Two-Face showcasing both sides of his persona.

Brennan Wagner’s colors beautifully capture the tone and mood of the story with haunting reds and stark yellows.

Loeb and Sale haven’t lost their touch. The Long Halloween Special shows some of DC’s finest future stories could be by revisiting greatest hits of yesterday.

Rating: 10 out of 10