Batman's Bane is close at hand.
Tom King's Batman run is, among many other things, a master class in how to use Bane as a proper villain. King is clearly a believer in the "less is more" approach. Two issues into "I Am Bane," readers still barely catch a glimpse of the villain as he executes his revenge on the Batman family. As in any good horror story, that's really the ideal way to handle a villain. Bane may be more physically imposing than ever under David Finch's hand, but he'll always be more scary as a lurking, unseen threat rather than a brute who charges directly into battle.
Issue #16 worked to break up the mounting suspense with a heavy dose of comedy, but issue #17 is all business. The drama steadily builds as Batman prepares for the big showdown with Bane, all while Bane's agents target those who Batman hasn't already taken out of harm's way. It's pretty neat having Bane's old crew - Bird, Trogg and Zombie - back in play after so many years. This also helps put a face to the threat Batman faces, as bane himself remains uncharacteristically shy. But again, that only serves to make his brief appearances that much more effective.
Granted, ist is strange that this issue essentially ignores the dramatic cliffhanger from the previous chapter and resets the counter to zero, as it were, but it has little trouble making up for any lost momentum early on.
The "less is more" approach is also on display in a terrific opening sequence set in the Fortress of Solitude. King turns the traditional Batman/Superman dynamic on its head by making Bruce the chatty one for a change. Superman literally speaks eight words across two pages, but King and Finch are nonetheless able to convey a great deal about Clark's reaction to Bruce's actions and the nature of their friendship. If the Superman franchise wasn't in such great hands right now, it'd be tempting to hope for King and Finch to take on a Superman comic.
Issue #16 didn't entirely play to Finch's storytelling strengths, what with the lengthy fast food restaurant scene. But that's not a problem in this chapter. Batman #17 makes full use of Finch's detailed, powerful style and Danny Miki's jagged black shadows. There are plenty of those striking splash images of Batman Finch does so well, but also a claustrophobic quality that enhances the creeping sense of dread. Finch's environments stand out as much as his figures, whether it's the looming buildings of Gotham or the grungy halls of Arkham Asylum. And as usual, Jordie Bellaire colors are there to heighten the mood and bring further intensity to the art.
The Verdict
"I Am Bane" is quickly shaping up to be one of the best stories to feature the titular villain. The "less is more" approach pays off handsomely when it comes to both Bane himself and Tom King's exploration of the Batman/Superman friendship. This issue is dramatic, suspenseful, and full of gorgeously detailed artwork. What more could a Bat-fan ask for?
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