GRIMSHAW'S ATTIC MEDIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I suppose that after all the issues of The Dark Knight Strikes Again!, All-Star Batman and Robin, and the slapping the palms of your hands into your face and crying "Oh God Frank, what have you done?" that was Holy Terror, it's a nice surprise to report that Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1 doesn't suck.

 

That said, I get the feeling it's because co-writer Brian Azzarello is either reeling Miller in this time around or taking the reins himself. The issue feels more like a calm before the storm than a crazy "Miller Time"-festival. While not a lot happens outside of "Batman" getting captured and revelations about the fate of Bruce Wayne being made, there is a more careful sense of world building than there has been in other Miller comics of recent years and it's appreciated.

 

Art-wise, Andy Kubert is doing a Miller-like style, but one that actually looks like Miller back when his art wasn't set permanently to "Sin City without the redeeming qualities." It looks like the world of the Dark Knight Universe has changed in the years since The Dark Knight Strikes to reflect our own more, but it channels Batman's classic noir vibe a bit more than Miller does.

 

If I do have to compliant about anything it's the mini-comic. I really don't like how DC have stuck it onto a bit of cardboard inside of the comic, as it makes me feel like I'm going to lose the damn thing. Nor, outside of the premise which seems to be setting up the main conflict of the series, do I like the actual mini-comic. It's story is fine, if clearly where Miller was let loose, like DC were trying to keep him entertained for five minutes while they tidied up the main comic. But if you're hoping to see good Frank Miller art from the mini-comic, well, just keep on hoping.

 

Mini-comic asides, Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1 is fine. It's slow, and not a lot happens, but it's a better stab at a sequel to The Dark Knight Returns than The Dark Knight Strikes! was. Here's hoping they can keep it up.