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Comics - Ongoing - Batman - Issue #520

BATMAN #520
COVER TAGLINE: None
TITLE: Fades to Black
STORY ARC: None

RELEASE DATE: May, 1995
COVER DATE: July, 1995

WRITER: Doug Moench
ARTIST: Eduardo Barreto
INKER: John Beatty
COLORS: Gregory Wright
LETTERS: Todd Klein
EDITORS: Jordan B Gorfinkel; Dennis 'Denny' O'Neil
COVER: Kelley Jones

PRICE: $1.95 U.S./$2.75 Canada

CHARACTERS: Batman (Bruce Wayne); James Gordon; Commissioner Sarah Essen-Gordon; Harvey Bullock; Detective Renée Montoya; Barbara Gordon; Nurse Charlotte

PLOT:
Bruce Wayne stands in his darkly lit mansion, speaking to the old picture of his parents on the wall. He talks of how he saved Black Mask from being murdered and, that because of his parents' death, he must stop any murder, no matter who the intended victim. Wayne then secures his cowl and sets off to stop Black Mask from murdering.

Sergeant Bullock is having his head bandages removed by the stern Nurse Charlotte. After having his cigar broken in two and tossed at him, Bullock playfully jokes about how his flirting with the nurse has obviously failed. As he leaves the office, they casually set up a date at the movies for the following night.

Using a blackmail diary found at the False Face Society's last hideout, Batman is stalking former members. During the first interrogation, he is told that Black Mask has been "flushed out."

Sergeant Bullock and Detective Montoya are patrolling the streets as Bullock begins expressing his affection for his new date. He talks about their two weeks together in the hospital and how Nurse Charlotte once threw a bedpan at him.

Newly assigned commissioner Essen Gordon calls her husband, James, into her office. She begins claiming that his arrest of Tommy "Mangles" Manchester was out of line. They quickly begin arguing, but Sarah confesses that she wants James to reconsider his resignation, which he criticizes. She then talks about his age catching up to him and his heart problems until he finally announces his full departure from the force. James slams the door behind him, shattering the window pane.

The Dark Knight crashes in on two drug dealers. He quickly beats them down and begins interrogating. Once again, Batman is told that Black Mask is "gone with the wind."

The story cuts to a donut shop where Bullock is talking to the employee. He buys a bag of donuts and says that they're backup, should the date go like his rare others.

Batman leaps onto a car, grabs the owner by the neck and asks about Black Mask. Again, an unhelpful answer is received.

Bullock is seen taking Charlotte to the movies in his car of many scents. He holds her hand while making an admittedly strange analogy about respecting the past.

James Gordon makes a visit to his daughter, Barbara. She admits that she knew about Sarah's new role as commissioner and asks about her father's arrest of Tommy Mangles. After getting the details, she explains that James is impetuous when it comes to personal emotion. Barbara continues by saying that James's future will be shaped by the loves in his past, for Sarah, his job, and even Batman.

Batman makes an appearance at a tavern, using a pool que as a weapon to beat a man down. The interrogation is unsuccessful.

Bullock and Charlotte are exiting the theatre after their date. As they make their way to Bullock's car, a man approaches with a gun, demanding the car keys. The man shoots Charlotte before Bullock can react. Momentary frozen, Bullock becomes furious and beats the man down with his own handgun. Soon after, Charlotte dies in Bullock's arms.

Batman is shown brawling and interrogating a collage of suspects, only to receive the same, dead end answers. After a brief scene at the police station, where Batman has dumped nine suspects with incriminating evidence, he is seen atop a statue in thundering rain. Batman speaks out to his fallen parents, claiming that he has failed them but will never stop trying

REVIEW:
For a Batman tale, this issue feels a bit unusual to me. It focuses greatly on the side characters of Gotham City and the details of their personal lives such as relationships and careers. In one respect, it's enjoyable for the fact that it brings a sense of reality to the city of Gotham. On the other hand, some of us just want a good Batman story with detective skills and good, old fashion head busting. Nevertheless, the issue leaves room for possibly more character development than the norm.

The emotional rides include James Gordon, Sergeant Harvey Bullock and of course the Dark Knight himself. Gordon is struggling with his departure from the police force and the fact that his wife has taken his place; Bullock is finding romance in his nurse; Batman is struggling to find Black Mask and live up to his devotion.

The fact is, while Batman makes the most appearances, they're all very brief and make practically no progress. Possibly the most enjoyable aspect of his many interrogations would be reading the various comments and slang made by suspects in regards to Black Mask's absence.

Never have I read a story that highlights the affectionate side of Harvey Bullock until this issue. It's interesting to see him go from crude flirtations to seeking an excuse to hold hands; although, I'm not too proud of his comments on alternative rock band R.E.M... It's also saddening to see Charlotte murdered on their mere first date. This relationship probably could've been extended into something more significant.

With James Gordon literally out of commission after so many years on the force, one can only guess what his future holds. His wife plays out in an almost antagonistic manner causing you to insatiably side with James, and their increasingly bitter relationship doesn't look toward a beneficial resolve. The artwork appears practically seamless. The blue tinted illustrations works magnificently for the effect of a darkened memory as does yellow for a dimly lit tavern and white during a thunderstorm. Barreto's style gives off such a clean, stable presentation which I often identify with the Batman of the mid-late '90s. The last appearance of Batman bears a classical sense. I say classical and not classic because, while it expresses the passion of Batman's quest, it isn't anything we haven't seen before. The way everything ties together in the end, however, is poetic and deep, with images of Wayne's parents, Sarah Gordon in her office, James Gordon staring out the window, and Bullock cradling Charlotte's lifeless body. Closing with these final images, everything seems to serve a purpose.

- 6/28/06

REVIEWED BY:

 

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