Batman: The Adventures Continue #12 - DC Comics

BATMAN: THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE No. 12, September 2020

Containing a storyline which is so savagely violent that it would never have seen the light of day as an actual episode of the superhero animated television series in the early Eighties, Alan Burnett and Paul Dini’s narrative for this particular instalment to their “Red Son Rising” storyline arguably traverses a delicate path between paying its respects to the beloved world of “Batman: The Animated Series” and Jim Starlin’s somewhat controversial "A Death in the Family" four-issue mini-series. For whilst the “digital first” publication doesn’t go to lengths of actually having the Joker cold-bloodedly kill a hapless Jason Todd with a crowbar, as per the “DC Comics” book so memorably pencilled by legendary artist Jim Aparo, it doesn’t stop far short.

Indeed, if not for Harley Quinn’s apparent squeamishness at the suddenly all-too serious Clown Prince of Crime’s murderous intentions, and the timely arrival of the Caped Crusader, there seems to be no doubt that the ‘out of control’ Boy Wonder would have been remorselessly beaten to death with absolutely no hope of escape or clemency; “Did you think we were just going to give him a love tap and let him go?! He won’t stop until he’s killed every one of us! You’ve seen what he’s done! He begged for this!”

Similarly as successful is the writing partnership’s enthralling ability to genuinely place Batman between a rock and a hard place, both physically and morally. A highly-emotional Dark Knight is understandably horrified at what the Joker has done to his former crime-fighting companion, and seemingly has his vow to never take a life pushed to its very limits. However, despite everything his white-faced arch-nemesis has done the cowled vigilante still remains true to his oath, and desperately attempts to rescue the villain from a flaming overturned car, even when his dying team-mate is screaming at him to let the homicidal maniac meet a grim demise.

Tying all these plot threads up together into a thoroughly entertaining roller-coaster of a read are Ty Templeton’s fast-paced panels and Monica Kubina’s colours. Insanely calm and calculating one moment, then brandishing his improvised hand-weapon with deadly glee seconds later, the Joker’s facial expressions are particularly well-drawn, especially once his bloodlust takes over and any suggestion of humour has been entirely erased from his countenance.

Writers: Alan Burnett & Paul Dini, Penciler: Ty Templeton, and Colorist: Monica Kubina