Batman: Urban Legends #18 [Part Two] - DC Comics

BATMAN: URBAN LEGENDS No. 18, October 2022

Helping to establish this anthology comic’s second half with a genuinely enthralling experience, Chris Burnham’s “The Fall Of The Scales” provides an intriguing insight into Alfred Pennyworth’s own deductive capabilities, whilst simultaneously conjuring up all manner of Lovecraftian Mythos-based mummery. Indeed, many bibliophiles, understandably mesmerised by the elderly servant’s deadly investigation into the robbery of a well-stocked bazaar, were doubtless half expecting the butler to actually make his way to the “decrepit town of Innsmouth, Massachusetts” before the ten-page plot played out.

Similarly as beguiling is the Connecticut-born creator’s pencilling for this aptly named ‘Pennyworth File’, with the American artist producing some fascinating panels absolutely packed full of gloriously-detailed trinkets, shady side-glances, and the obligatory fish-faced antagonist. Furthermore, there’s a lot of fun to be had with Burnham’s decision to include some significant humour into his tale, with the out-of-town Batman’s reaction to his friend’s repeated phone-calls for advice causing quite the guffaw whenever they appear; “I’m not certain how to ensure his safety. Master Bruce, are you there?! Blast it all.”

Focusing far more upon the Dark Knight and the costumed vigilante’s significant demons following the death of Jason Todd, Tini and Blake Howard’s “Night Terrors” provides a truly traumatic depiction of Tim Drake’s early days alongside the Caped Crusader. In fact, the story is cleverly written from the latest Robin’s perspective and resultantly hooks the audience in with the adolescent’s understandable fears for his mentor when Gotham City’s “King Maniac” momentarily gives way to Doctor John Dee’s terrifying, sleep-based psychosis.

Also adding an extra element of vulnerability to Batman’s usually impenetrable psyche are Max Raynor’s adrenalin-charged layouts, which one minute show the intimidating scale of an eerily quiet Arkham Asylum, and in the next adds some incredible pace to the proceedings via half a dozen small-sized panels depicting the Dynamic Duo rushing to help an unconscious nurse. This technique proves particularly powerful towards the yarn’s end, when the audience are given access to a 'frozen' Wayne reliving how horribly he believes Jason died at the hands of the Joker, and subsequently superimposes that distressing mental picture upon his new companion’s present predicament.

The regular cover art of "BATMAN: URBAN LEGENDS" #18 by Liam Sharp