By: Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale Publisher: DC Comics Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: DC Comics Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 392 Publication Date: October 01, 2002 Release Date: October 01, 2002
Avoids the Sequel Curse; Just As Good, Maybe Even Better, Than its Predeccesor I'll admit, at first, I was hesitant to pick up "Dark Victory." Its predeccesor, Loeb and Sale's classic "The Long Halloween" was such an awesome, page-turning whodunnit that utilized all of its characters so well, that I thought this would fall prey to the usual curse that befalls sequels and come up short of capturing what made the original so great. But I was wrong. This tale IS great, deserving of being placed on the same level of "The Long Halloween."
The tale picks up right where the original left off. Batman, along with his ally Commissioner Jim Gordan, is still devastated by the loss of one of the few people in his life he had come to trust: the former District Attorney Harvey Dent (whose origins as Two-Face were spectacularly retold in "Long Halloween"). Meanwhile, Gotham City's various Mafia families, particularly the Falcone Family around which the previous story centered, are regrouping following the death of so many of their members at the hands of the Holiday Killer, and their grip on the city continues. Standing in their way, however, is the rise of the "Freaks," the familiar members of Batman's rogue's gallery (The Joker, Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, The Penguin, The Scarecrow, etc.). Led by Two-Face, they intend to drive the Mobsters out of existence and sieze the city for themselves. The city is once again a battlefield against crime.
Enter the Hangman Killer. Echoing the Holiday Killer's method of attacking on holidays, the Hangman goes after former and current police members, hanging them by nooses while leaving crude renditions of the children's game "Hangman" pinned to their bodies (all of which are mysteriously written on materials closely associated with Harvey Dent). And thus begins another page-turning round of Whodunnit, as Batman must once again put his master detective skills to work, deducing the killer's identity in the midst of his battles against Mobsters and Freaks alike.
The tale is amazingly coherent, keeping you at the edge of your seat from the start to finish as you yourself try to deduce who the Hangman may be. And let me tell you: it's a shocker. I sure didn't see the revelation coming, and I doubt many others did. It was all a great payoff to all the build taking up most of the tale. And to top it all off, this story also contains a retelling of the origins of Robin, as Bruce Wayne takes in an orphaned Dick Grayson (whose parents' death is loosely tied into the main plot of the story) and finds in him an unexpected partner in his war on crime.
There's also the usual quality from the Loeb/Sale team that we saw in "The Long Halloween." Sale's art is just as good as ever. The gangster drama and action plays a great part in the story alongside the murder mystery, and, like the previous story, is accompanied by more references and nods to film noir and Mob movies, particularly "The Godfather" (there's even a scene in the book that is taken directly from the famous horse-head-in-the-bed scene!). Basically, all the magic of "Dark Victory's" predecessor is intact, still as fresh and as amazing as ever. It truly is a testament to the skills of both creators that they were able to make such a high-quality sequel.
In short, "Dark Victory" is a most excellent tale, a worthy follow-up to "The Long Halloween" in every way, and should be an essential part of every Batman fan's graphic novel collection. Enjoy the action, enjoy the drama, enjoy the mystery, because I promise, none of it dissapoints.
Dark Victory is a victory for any Batman fan!!! Dark Victory picks up after the events of The Long Halloween, and it has been a dark victory for Batman and Jim Gordon. With the capture of the serial killer known as "Holiday" and the death of some mob bosses they have a small victory, but with the loss of their friend and colleague, Harvey Dent to his new identity, "Two-Face", the rise of other members of the mob families, and a new D.A. that is making things difficult for our hero there isn't any time for celebration. There is also a new serial killer in town, only known as the "Hang-Man". As the body count grows the Batman and Jim Gordon try to solve this new puzzle while Bruce Wayne tries to woo Selina Kyle, still unaware that she is Catwoman. Just as things start to come together, a certain future Boy-Wonder comes into the mix. With a fantastic noir-detective story, details that will make any fan of BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT smile, and an ending that will make any Batman fan very happy and make you think about the first time you saw Batman and Robin fighting side by side, this book is a must for any Batman fan. Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale at their best!!! I loved the Long Halloween, but I think this book may actually beat it.
If you ever see a Batman or Superman book by Jeph Loeb, pick it up, he is one the best and most influential comic book writers around. Accompanying the fantastic writing with Sale's moody and noir artwork this is an amazing Batman story.
*It is highly recommended that you read The Long Halloween first*
A Great Follow-up "Dark Victory" is the follow up to Loeb and Sale's "The Long Halloween". The story picks up where "The Long Halloween" left off. Holiday has been arrested, and the crime families of Gotham attempt to use this time of calm to rebuild. However, a breakout of the inmates of Arkham Asylum fills the streaks with "freaks", as the mafia put it, throwing the world of Gotham crime into chaos. To make matters worse, a new killer is on the loose, Hangman. Every holiday, a police officer connected with the rise of Harvey Dent is murdered, and pinned to their bodies are cryptic messages encoded in games of hangman which are drawn on the old files of Harvey Dent. All fingers point to Two-face as the culprit, but some people have their doubts.
Dark Victory is a great book, and if you enjoyed "The Long Halloween", this is just as good as that book. You'll get to see Batman as a detective, which is when Batman really shines. Don't miss reading this book. I recommend it highly.
Depth and loss Depth of character drives this story. See Batman dealing with loss of his friend Harvey Dent. A young Dick Grayson dealing with the loss of his parents and seeking strength. Jeff Loeb's storytelling is as good as ever, and Tim Sale's Artwork is unique and engaging as ever. The Heavy dark shading and washed colors convey the grit and gloom of Gotham perfectly.
Surpasses the first story Batman: Long Halloween was one of the best Batman stories I've ever read. When I saw Dark Victory was the sequel, I bought it out of curiosity, but didn't expect much. Was I ever wrong! Dark Victory perfectly picks up where Long Halloween left off, giving us yet another mystery serial killer (this time named The Hangman, for obvious reasons) that strikes on holidays. As in the first story, all signs point to Harvey Dent as the killer, but is he really? The introduction of Robin is a nice touch, but he really doesn't show up until the story's almost over.
The final reveal of the Hangman's identity really caught me off guard. While I guessed who Holiday was early into Long Halloween, I was never certain about the Hangman (and in the end, my guess was wrong). The buildup throws so many red herrings at you it keeps you reeling.
I loved this story and would love to see the next chapter in this storyline. Hopefully someday Jeph Loeb will give us another maxi-series like this.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
