Stuck In The Middle With You

Another issue where King focuses on relationships instead of Batman beating the beejeezus out of some gimmick obsessed bad guy. This time, the relationships in focus are both Batman's relationship with Catwoman and his work relationship with Wonder Woman.

With the I'll believe it when I see it marriage of Batman and Catwoman somewhere in the near future, recent issues of Batman have been looking at their relationship from different angles. The framing for The War of Jokes and Riddles was Batman explaining something he did during that conflict to Catwoman, so she knows what he considers to be a dark secret.  Catwoman facing Talia Al' Ghul showed how much she loved him. The Superfriends date issues with Lois and Clark showed how Catwoman sees Batman, and what their everyday relationship is like.

Now, with issue #39, we see what temptation looks like.

The story centres around a question: What if you had to go out of town for work with a female co-worker for a day, but that day turned into decades? If you only had each other for that long, both of you enduring terrible stress and looking for any sort of escape,would you still remain faithful to the one you left behind?

This story reminds me of a similar one from years ago, something similar but with Superman and Wonder Woman. I think it was in Action Comics? Regardless, this story is done far better, complemented with absolutely gorgeous art by Joelle Jones.

Another fine issue in an increasingly wonderful run.

When Comics Are Great: Batman Annual #2

 I've been late to Tom King's run on Batman. From what I've read--and it hasn't been the entire run--I find his strengths are in in character and dialogue, in which he shines. And Batman Annual #2 is simply him shining very, very bright.

One of the things I've liked plot wise on his run is the engagement of Batman and Catwoman. DC Comics hedged for decades about having heroes in relationships, unless they were clearly second stringers. Those heroes--like the Flash and Green Arrow, for example--were allowed to have girlfriends, have sex and lead somewhat normal lives. Superman and Batman, however, had to forever remain aloof and above such petty concerns. Or if they did have a relationship, they ended in tragedy and made them even more resolute to never let themselves be that weak again. Much gritting of teeth and staring at sunsets.

With comic readers--at least those who actually go and buy the damn things-- aging out and the new readers determinedly not swarming in, DC seems to be letting their once celibate heroes reflect the lives of those selfsame readers. So now Superman is married to Lois and has a son. And Batman and Catwoman are going steady. Which brings us to this Annual.

With this comic, King focuses entirely on the relationship between Catwoman and Batman, beginning with what could be called a 'first date'. It's gloriously written, highlighting the connection between the two over two separate periods of time. To explain how he does this would be to spoil the joy of reading it for yourself. After reading these characters for almost fifty years, I can honestly say that King and I are on the same page when it comes to these characters. He clearly loves them as much as I do--and believe me, I love them a lot.