It’s another issue of Off-World! Jason Aaron’s space epic left off on a rather disappointing note last issue, so I’m a little hesitant to dive back in.
Ah, what the heck. Let’s do it!
So, is it better?
Sure is! Issue 2 makes the incredible decision to skip over most of the training it felt like we were hunkering down for at the end of the last book. Instead, we’re treated to an honestly excellently paced action romp following Bruce’s escape plan and eventual attempt.
Aaron demonstrates a really solid grasp on his idea of Batman, but there’s a sense that Aaron’s idea of Batman is a bit… surface level. I understand that this is a Batman early in his career, and there’s a lot of that moody, melodramatic inner monologue that comes with that territory, but between last issue and stuff like… this…
It’s just very Bat-wank-y in an age where it feels very much that we’re already overloaded with Batwank. It’s a personal complaint, but it is one that I feel negatively impacts this book.
That’s not to say that Aaron isn’t good at it. There are moments where Batman is doing his whole “I’m the best. Everyone should fear me. I’m The Batman™️” shtick, and it rules.
Aaron has found a voice for his Batman, and he’s very, very good at sticking to it. There are also several moments where he builds up this big epic Batman moment just to pull the rug out and make him realize he’s out of his depth. He loses. Hard. It’s these moments that remind me of the stuff I love about Aaron’s Doctor Strange run. He’s very funny when he wants to be, and rarely in a way that feels disrespectful to the character. I just hope his Batman continues to develop along these lines and not stagnate in the super epic coolest guy alive stuff he’s been prone to so far.
Doug Mahnke, as always, is absolutely incredible. Jaime Mendoza and David Baron bring his pencils to life in such striking fashion that I can’t believe I haven’t seen space this good in a while. I’m absolutely in love with the aesthetic this art team has crafted. The world feels truly alien and advanced in a way that evokes Kirby in all the best ways. I don’t think I’ll ever have anything bad to say about this book’s art.
Recommended if…
- You like Jason Aaron’s work.
- Batman in space interests you!
- This is honestly one of the more original Batman pitches coming out of DC in a while, let’s see if it goes anywhere!
Overall
This was definitely an improvement over last issue, let’s keep that going!!
Score: 7/10
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DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purposes of this review
