Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Three #1 - DC Comics

BATMAN: THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE SEASON THREE No. 1, March 2023

Featuring a solid, straightforward storyline which enthrallingly follows the Muscle’s eventual escape from Blackgate Penitentiary and potential opportunity for some semblance of redemption, Alan Burnett and Paul Dini’s “return once more to the world of Batman: The Animated Series” is surely something of a success. Indeed, with all its well-penned twists and turns, it was probably hard for many in this comic’s audience not to hear composer Danny Elfman’s highly iconic theme music playing in their head throughout the action-packed adventure.

Quite possibly foremost of these triumphs is the writing team’s ability to underline the high level of organised crime which exists within Gotham City, courtesy of a brief visit to Esther Valestra’s kitchen and the Crime Lady’s familiarity with the likes of Oswald Cobblepot, Roman Sionis and Rupert Thorne. Chillingly understated as the elegantly-dressed hostess dines alongside her nefarious guests on a course of homemade Pasta A La Valestra and Calamari Fritti, this scene illustrates just how cold-hearted the killers around the dining table are as they nonchalantly discuss how best to murderously ‘tie and skewer’ Mama’s former top underworld assassin.

Of course, the meat of this twenty-page periodical’s plot lies in the Muscle’s double-dealing with the prison’s priest, and the subsequent shenanigans which occur in a deserted factory when the hired gun suddenly realises he’s been played for a fool by the clergyman the entire time. So obvious a twist probably didn’t come as much of a surprise to many a perusing bibliophile, however, the way the actual action then plays out is rather exhilarating, especially when the sturdy-looking Lock-Up actually manages to temporarily incapacitate Batman himself; “Looks like I’ve wrapped up a great big bonus on this job. Signorina Valestra will gladly pay extra for your carcass.”

Helping to make this particular publication appear as if it had literally just stepped from out of the small screen cartoon programme are Jordan Gibson’s pencils and Monica Kubina’s colours. Together, the creative team genuinely do a first-rate job of replicating both the look and feel of “Fox Kids” hit show from the early Nineties, with their ability to have the Dark Knight’s punches pack a truly impressive wallop being just one of several visual treats.

The regular cover of "BATMAN: THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE SEASON THREE" #1 by Kevin Nowlan