Writer Scott Snyder and artist Jock bring a renewed darkness to Gotham City in BATMAN: THE BLACK MIRROR. The hardcover collects the first several stories by Snyder featuring The Dark Knight, including the "Skeleton Cases" story that began as a backup feature starring GCPD Commissioner James Gordon. Throughout the course of the book, Dick Grayson struggles to establish roots in Gotham City, while, at the same time, dealing with a number of new entrants in the Gotham underworld. Snyder also introduces a new Gotham citizen, Gotham Global Modern Bank Founder, Sonia Branch, which Dick struggles to view clearly due to a connection to his past. One of the more impressive feats by Snyder is, not only does he fully introduce these characters in complete stories; he is able to set them up as return players in the Batbooks, adding even more depth to the mythos. And with the ever growing list of Bat-titles, the more the creators have to draw from, the less likely established adversaries are to be overexposed. Though, don't worry, The Joker does make his presence felt. In a more secondary role, The Joker actually augments the threat of one of the new villains, establishing him as a viable foe early on. The roots of these villains are also not firmly set in Gotham, so Bat creators will be able to organically use them in Batbooks set outside the city, such as BATWING, based in Africa, or the globetrotting BATMAN, INC. Grayson also has a few more go to options now that he has returned to his Nightwing role. Of course, all this evil still permeating Gotham City years later sure makes it seem like Batman is a total failure.
Rarely before has Gotham been so effectively depicted as a dark troubled city needing the protection of so many. As well as, the sacrifice paid by those trying to do so. Snyder demonstrates a familiarity with Batman lore and effectively utilizes it to establish his vision of Gotham, his characterizations of longtime players and his introductions of new ones. For the most part, he is able to incorporate it without confusing new readers, such as a reference to a part of town that has seen a drastic decline due to the earthquake that rocked the Batbooks a few years ago. The Gordon family history is the one area where more detail would have been more beneficial to readers.
Jock's murky art "mirrors" Snyder's script near perfectly. The mere addition of powers lines throughout the Gotham cityscape seems like a small effect, but does much to establish the downtrodden look of Gotham. Jock's storytelling, however, isn't always as effective as it could be. Examples that stand out are Tiger Shark's base of operations is depicted as a yacht in one panel, yet a large submarine in others and, also, a third knife is inaccurately depicted in the book's climax. In the same scene, however, Jock provides readers with one of the more memorably creepy images in comics.
Francesco Francavilla's art, in the Gordon backup, is a perfect contrast to Jock's style with his clean lines and muted colors. It masterfully illustrates the subtle thriller that makes up the "Skeleton Cases" story. The bonus material also shows Francesco's "audition" comic strip, as well as his designs for the returning James Gordon, Jr.
A terrific exploration of Dick Grayson, his allies and the city they try to protect, THE BLACK MIRROR is a great addition to any collection, especially as Snyder continues to explore the Batman mythos in the New DC 52 title, BATMAN.
BATMAN: THE BLACK MIRROR Hardcover collection and the BATMAN ongoing series can be purchased at Philadelphia area comic book stores. To find a shop near you go to www.comicshoplocator.com.
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