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Need to Know / The Balance
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Front-Up
Written by Dan Slott
Pencils by Ty Templeton
Inked by Terry Beatty
Colored by Zylonol
Lettered by Phil Felix
Asst. Editor Harvey Richards
Editor Joan Hilty
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Main Story
Written by Ty Templeton
Penciled by Rick Burchett
Inked by Terry Beatty
Colored by Lee Loughridge
Lettered by Phil Felix
Cover by Bruce Timm
Asst. Editor Harvey Richards
Editor Joan Hilty
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Issue #04 - Need to Know / The Balance
Cover Date - September 2003. Released July 16th.
Batman confronts an old foe — Ra’s Al Ghul — in a very old place: Easter Island! Plus, in the back-up story, see the World’s Greatest Detective squeeze info out of a bad guy in a scary but scientific way! |
Review
For an indeterminate amount of
time, Ra’s Al Ghul’s League of Assassins has been
targeting Batman’s greatest foes. Though he has
succeeded in keeping them safe, Ra’s motivation remains
elusive. Finally, a key clue leads Batman to the Easter
Islands, and Ra’s secret hideout, where he discovers a
surprising plan meant to… help him?!
There is a deceptive simplicity to the mystery
established in Batman Adventures #1-3. It’s not
terribly complicated. Ra’s is trying to kill Batman’s
foes. Batman needs to figure out how to stop him. But
the why of such a mystery is deeply compelling.
How does Ra’s stand to benefit from doing this? Batman
tracks Ra’s down to find out for himself, and the answer
provided is striking in its own bizarre brand of logic.
Ultimately, Ra’s does not see Bruce Wayne as an enemy,
but an ideal heir, a stubborn son who has not yet caved
in to his father’s demands… but someday will. So his
plan, to free Batman of “distractions” and hopefully
expedite this process, makes great sense. It’s
in-character with Ra’s arrogance and “big picture”
perspective. More powerful, however, is Batman’s
reaction to this plan. His sheer, unbridled anger at the
fact that people had been employed to kill on his own
behalf rings true. He reacts with a rage that resonates
with the character’s values and principles. When Batman
nearly snaps because people almost died for his sake,
the reader gets a powerful moment that makes complete
and total sense.
Much of this issue is dedicated to discussion between
the two parties (Bruce and Ra’s), but their dialogue
does not take up the whole issue, nor are they the only
important characters at play here. Special mention
should be made of Templeton’s use of the Batfamily. He
keeps them visible, but in the background, never
allowing them to override the presence of Batman
himself. Tim Drake’s cameo in this story is both welcome
and unobtrusive. Talia has a small but powerful role in
this story, particularly when some action-packed
developments place her in danger. Templeton introduces
complications to the dialogue between Ra’s and Batman,
introducing a welcome element of action along with some
surprisingly violent and shocking scenes of suspense.
The ending is particularly powerful, teasing the reader
with a possible change in the status quo, as Talia
questions her faith in, and love for, Batman. In the
end, this storyarc is concluded logically and
satisfyingly while still leaving some room for future
stories to explore. Not bad at all. Burchett also
provides his best art yet, with a wonderful action
sequence taking place entirely in shadow.
The backup, “The Balance” is notable for being the first
backup to tie heavily into the main story. Dan Slott
goes into great detail explaining the lead that led
Batman to Ra’s, taking time in the process to
demonstrate the lines he will and won’t cross. He
deserves special commendation for making Batman scary
while preserving the character’s essential goodness and
heroism. Slott also takes a moment to illustrate the
inner workings of the League of Assassins, a challenge
he rises to admirably, establishing a believable
environment for such zealots to grow up in. All in all,
a solid effort, and a great introductory arc for the new
series. Fun, believable, and packed with character
dynamics, the Ra’s arc was just setting the tone for
what would come later… |
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