Pulp [#604]

So, if you’ve been reading this column since the beginning – unlikely, I know, but hear me out – you might remember me talking about Scott Snyder’s New 52 Batman run way back in the first issue of Pulp and gushing over it as only a DC fanboy can. The series was one of the first comics I’d picked up since getting into comics, and I have to admit, it was a damn good first comic. I remember thinking at the time “Jeez, Snyder is awesome. I don’t think he could beat this arc.” The Court of Owls was an excellent starting point – it had mystery, plenty of action and added some seriously cool characters to the Batman mythos. Hell, there was even a spinoff series featuring a Talon! While it might not have lasted all that long, it was still really cool to see it develop the Court of Owls storyline some more. I’d heard good things about Snyder before picking up his work – and I quickly became a fan after reading the excellent American Vampire series – so seeing him do such a great job with one of my favourite characters was really rewarding.
I kinda forgot about his work on Batman after that point – I still read the monthlies, but the Zero Year arc dragged on and on without much relief and DC’s constant need for crossovers meant that I got a bit bored.
I was in Melbourne a few weeks ago and stumbled across a copy of The Black Mirror, a Detective Comics trade I’d heard a lot about – particularly considering it was the arc that ensured Snyder’s position as the Batman scribe of the moment – but never actually bothered to read until now. Boy, how I wish I had.
The Black Mirror centres on the return of James Gordon, Jr. – son of Commissioner Jim Gordon and brother to Barbara, aka Batgirl. James was always considered a strange and rather unnerving person – despite his high intelligence, James always showed a distinct lack of emotion, and was connected – though nothing was ever proven – to the disappearance of neighbourhood pets and even linked to the disappearance of one of Barbara’s friends. James claims that he is a changed man, but a string of murders coincides with his return to Gotham and Dick Grayson – functioning as Gotham’s Batman – and Commissioner Gordon make a point of investigating them to definitely prove whether or not James really has changed.
I gotta say, The Black Mirror is more of a thriller than a superhero story. There are a few elements to the story that hint at the direction Snyder took for his New 52 run, and there is a really intense level of tension throughout the story. The combined artistic efforts of Jock (The Losers) and Francesco Francavilla (Swamp Thing) are just exquisite – they make a point of showing off just how dark, gloomy and spooky Gotham by night can be. The atmosphere is just intense, and combined with Snyder’s excellent writing makes for a truly unnerving story. This story cemented James Gordon, Jr. as one of the scariest villains in the DC universe – his intellect, combined with his total sociopathy makes for some seriously scary situations.
This is one of the darkest Batman stories I’ve read, and isn’t one for the light-hearted, but damn is it a good read. Check it out if you can!
By Alastair McGibbon