Batman: Legends Of The Dark Knight #105 - DC Comics

BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT No. 105, April 1998

Editor Archie Goodwin’s decision to depict a Dark Knight-less two-parter was arguably something of a risk way back in 1998 considering that the then third major monthly Batman title was only created following the popularity of Tim Burton's superhero film nine years earlier. But whilst this twenty-two page periodical’s plot writes the Caped Crusader off as being busy out of the country “on the trail of the [terrorists] El-Kar’isha”, that doesn’t stop C. J. Henderson’s script for “Duty” being permeated by the cowled crime-fighter’s (non) presence throughout.

In fact, the American author’s excellently-penned storyline is specifically based upon the perturbing premise that Captain James Gordon and Sergeant Harvey Bullock must face the murderously mad machinations of the Joker single-handedly, without any help whatsoever from Bruce Wayne’s alter-ego; “Damn. You’re the one who’s handled this lunatic before. You’re the one who knows him, understands him. I work to put together a squad of honest cops… And the Joker slaughters them.”

Such a disconcerting vulnerability to the Gotham City Police Department really helps build up the tension as the future commissioner desperately attempts to determine just what the Clown Prince of Crime’s main motivation actually is, and as a result, successfully adds even more weight to every one of Gordon’s subsequent decisions when confronted with a clue-riddled China Town bought toy. In addition, it is abundantly clear that the Officer is no longer prepared to lose any more men due to his poor tactics – something which is bound to have dangerous repercussions when his investigation finally reveals that “the Joker is headed east on Petersen” with “his most likely target” being the American Industries’ high-rise building.

Equally as enthralling as Henderson’s writing are Trevor Von Eeden’s highly dramatic layouts, which go a long way to exaggerating both the sheer madness of the Joker’s mind, as well as the logical methodology employed by James and his crime scene staff during their dedicated deductions. Of particular note has to be the Guyanese-American artist’s incredible pencilling of Bullock’s patrol car racing through the rain en-route to the aforementioned tower block. Crammed full of screeching tyres, police sirens and a hot Gordon shouting numerous orders down his vehicle’s radio, many readers could doubtless almost feel the downpour on their faces and the tumultuous noise ringing in their ears.

Writer: C.J. Henderson, Artist: Trevor Von Eeden, and Inker: Joe Rubinstein