Scared Straight
Writer: Scott Peterson
Artist: Kelley Jones, Michelle Madsen, and Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 24, 2018
I really liked the first issue of Kings of Fear. It may have been mainly because of my disgust with the regular book's run, but it felt like a fresh take of a classic story. However, my enthusiasm waned a bit with the second issue, but I am looking to get back on the trolley this week. So, did Scott Peterson and Kelley Jones punch my ticket with this issue? Let's find out...
The issue opens with a couple of full pages of Batman throwing and dragging Scarecrow across the Gotham skyline until he throws him through a window. After asking Batman if he is going loco, Scarecrow blackmails Batman into having a "take your villain to work" night and away we go.
If you love Kelley Jones art as much as me, you are sure to get a bit more out of this issue (and series) than someone only here for the story. This issue especially is a bunch of full pages of Batman looking awesome with his long ears, but not much else.
After a bit, Scarecrow starts losing interest in the boring stuff that Batman does on a normal night, but Batman roughs him up a little bit and it's back to business. However, Scarecrow is not impressed with Batman protecting normal citizens and taking down nobodies so he demands they move along.
After a confusing appearance by Gordon and Batman setting things up with Alfred, Batman stops to help a little girl in the street, but like this whole issue, Bats wonders if this is all a hallucination caused by Scarecrow. By this point, I really don't care and have lost any interest I had in this issue and series entirely. The issue ends with Scarecrow showing his hand which basically leads right back to last issue's cliffhanger.
I like the art in this issue a lot, but I have already said that I am a Kelley Jones fan. The story? There really isn't one here and in a series that is already paper thin in the plot department, it's sad that this issue can be skipped entirely!
Bits and Pieces:
Besides the Kelley Jones art, there is nothing to see here. There is hardly a story and what little we get is not paced well and can be confusing. I had high hopes for this series, but they have been smashed to bits here.
4.0/10
I totally disagree. I can’t see how there is no story here. This entire idea - Scarecrow psychoanalyzing Bruce is a new idea& wasn’t really done yet. So that alone makes it an interesting story, since it adds something new to the dynamic between Batman and Scarecrow. This time it’s not only about Batman facing his fears& trying to overcome them, he is forced to do what Scarecrow demands. Batman isn’t fully in control here& that’s what he hates. Just like Batman we the readers don’t really know what is real& what isn’t. It was also nice to see a nicer Batman, who isn’t solely obsessed with his own past& with his villains, but actually one, who tries to protect people.
ReplyDeleteApart from that, the entire issue is funny at the same time.
I disagree...i find this whole thing boring and convoluted and the pacing of 3 issues is so off. The start with the mad arkham doctor seemed interesting but left behind and the idea of scarecrow analyzing bruce is cool...not the execution though. Even scarecrow was bored. The batman who cares? First issue set him up as a very brutal batman who doesnt care enough, at least about his villains.
Delete