DC Comics 10/2/25 – Batman 2, Absolute Evil 1
Batman 2
With Vandal Savage the commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department, things are getting a lot hairier for Batman and Robin. Writer Matt Fraction provides some fun story from the past as Bruce Wayne attempts to teach Tim Drake how to drive a stick shift in preparation for driving the Batmobile.
Fraction incorporates more of the Bat Family as Damian Wayne acts like a typical bratty little brother while Alfred watches on. It’s a great moment and one that shows Fraction should be encouraged to at least have more of these flashbacks featuring other members of the Bat Family.
Batman 2 largely focuses on a more intimate, small scope story of Robin taking down some armed robbery criminals and getting shot and caught by two GCPD officers. Commissioner Savage has the officers on edge with the introduction of a special task force that could take their jobs. Batman 2 shows how that tension can lead to dangerous actions from the would-be peacekeepers.
It doesn’t hurt that Fraction immediately finds an ideal tone for Tim’s voice that works in the larger context of the Bat Family. Too often, Tim has been the forgotten Robin now that Damian is Batman’s most constant partner.
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Jorge Jimenez’s art remains stellar. It’s not a small feat to make Batman and Robin dealing with police officers and street thugs as visually engaging as them battling Joker, Bane or KGBeast. The tech gadget showcase has been a clever idea and Batman 2 shows more of the wonderful toys as they’re used in action.
Tomeu Morey’s bold, bright colors and Clayton Cowles’ dynamic lettering complete a pristine visual presentation.
Fraction shows that Batman doesn’t have to be this hard-hitting, crazy title filled with over-the-top brawls where Batman is basically fighting super powered criminals at every turn. Sometimes, just dealing with two police officers can be a threat.
Batman 2 reads like a stronger Batman story simply by showing how potentially treacherous life can be for Batman and Robin whenever they step on the Gotham streets no matter who they’re battling.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Enjoyed Batman 2? Check out Matt Fraction’s work on Hawkeye with the My Life as a Weapon trade now available on Amazon.
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