Batman: Urban Legends #17 [Part One] - DC Comics

BATMAN: URBAN LEGENDS No. 17, September 2022

Described by “DC Comics” as “a blockbuster issue”, Ryan Cady’s script for “Cold Shoulders” arguably appears to live up to the Burbank-based publisher’s boast by providing this anthology book with a fantastically fast-paced opening yarn featuring Batman and the Flash. However, whilst it is undoubtedly the “Scarlet Speedster” who injects this twenty-page tale with much of its mesmerising momentum. It is perhaps the plot’s focus on Captain Cold questioning just how evil he is willing to be when compared to the murderous machinations of his partner-in-crime, Mister Freeze, which is the highlight of the adventure.

Similarly as sensational is the story’s artwork by Gleb Melnikov, Scott Hanna and Luis Guerrero. The creative team’s depiction of events as respective penciller, inker and colorist genuinely adds to the ever-increasing sense of peril as Barry Allen feverishly attempts to run rings around Gotham in an effort to locate Victor Fries’ secret hideout. Indeed, a lot of the wide-eyed youth’s anguish and sense of desperation to both thwart the villains’ deadly plan, as well as live up to the Dark Knight’s high expectations, are projected through the character’s well-drawn facial expressions and body moments, rather than what Central City’s protector says.

Likewise, the impetus quickly established by Joey Esposito’s excellent “The Sea Beyond” doesn’t let up until Bruce Wayne’s deep sea mission to identify the mysterious source of some catastrophic seismic activity has been completed. Sure, the author’s decision to pen Mera as a debatably dislikeable foil to Aquaman’s good manners and courteousness may well remind many a Silver Age bibliophile of Stan Lee’s writing for the anti-hero, Namor the Sub-Mariner. But her overzealous, sarcastic rants that the Caped Crusader only ‘rules’ on land because her beloved King permits it can easily be forgiven once the three super-heroes enter the ocean; “You’re not listening, Batman! We know the cause. That’s why we’re here. With you. Show him, Arthur.” 

Serg Acuna and Alex Guimaraes also add an incredible amount of energy to this narrative’s telling, courtesy of some truly sumptuous underwater illustrations which genuinely help sell just how far down under the surface the action is taking place. The sheer physical power of the spiralling currents at play are incredibly well sketched, as is this chronicle’s final splash page, depicting the World’s Greatest Detective riding home on the back of a grim-looking Killer Whale.

The regular cover art of "BATMAN: URBAN LEGENDS" #17 by Jim Cheung & Jay David Ramos