Review: Batman and The Signal #1 (of 3)
Hot from the pages of Batman and the Dark Metal storyline comes the almost eagerly awaited Batman and The Signal. Facetiousness aside, this book has been a long time coming. Duke has been around for quite some time now and in fact this could be seen by many as his second bite of the apple if you count the seriously underrated  “We Are Robin” book in which he featured. Created by Scott Snyder, Duke has an unusual place within the Bat family; an almost robin but never a Robin, he exists at a time where there is a number of Robins still active.
The pace of the book is frenetic at the start, with Duke feeling doubt in his talent before going back in time to set up the scene. It seems that Duke is one of a new breed of meta-humans that have been popping up in Gotham. I have to admit, this is a twist that i have missed. Part of this is due to the fact that Duke doesn’t regularly pop in any action elements in the Bat books and the second is that I don’t particularly like the character. Still, with DC’s relentless cashing in on Batman, they have managed to publish a Bat book for every separate Bat flavour out there. Want the blockbuster story, check out Batman; want a team Bat book and Detective is for you. Want a daytime Gotham bat presence then The Signal is for you!
Scott Snyder and Tony Patrick have produced a story that was then written by Patrick. Who is responsible for what? That is a good question. I am assuming that Snyder is acting as a gatekeeper of sorts with Patrick filling in the blanks. The pacing of the book is solid, with the change of times period used effectively. Patrick takes a little time to flesh out the whole meta human element as well as allowing Duke to visit his former Robin group. The dialogue works well enough, with Duke coming across like a ersatz Peter Parker of sorts, worrying about his place in the Bat world. Also in play is that start of the public displaying some distrust in the idea of the Dark Knights, which was hinted recently at Doomsday Clock. Truth be told, with all that’s happened to the city,
Cully Hamner provides the artwork, stating big, before switching tacks before going all action again. Overall, the framework has elements of early John Romita JR work, which in itself isn’t bad when it comes to the action but the quality does take a hit in the quieter moments of the book. There is grittiness to the work that I don’t think suits the idea of daytime Bats.  With the change of operating hours, Duke’s new police person to turn the other way is also introduced. Seems like every hero needs a cop in their utility belt. It’s here where the wheels kind of fall off the Batmobile because no matter however you slice it, that is an awful Commissioner Gordon, leading me to think that Hamner has problems working with existing character models. Colors are provided by Laura Martin who has to work with both the expectations and the oddness of seeing a Gotham in the sun.
Reading this book, it may well be a Bat too far. It is also worth to note, that DC may feel the same, as on this occasion The Signal is a mini series. This is a move that has paid dividends in the past, thinking of the how the Tim Drake Robin was promoted. So a mixed bag to be sure, which may well frustrate as much as it pleases.
Writing – 3.5 Stars
Art – 3.5 Stars
Colors – 3.5 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Tony Patrick & Scott Snyder
Art by; Cully Hamner
Colors by; Laura Martin
Published by; DC Comics
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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