Comic Review: Batman Secret Files #2

Batman Secret Files #2

DC Comics

Andy Kubert, Amancay Nahuelpan, Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, Mairghread Scott, Giuseppe Camuncolil, Steve Orlando, Eduardo Risso, Tim Seeley, Patrick Gleason

Anthology comics are a great way to test the waters for different writers and artists. Readers may thoroughly enjoy what they’re seeing from these new creators and hope that one day, they get to write/draw an ongoing series featuring one of their favorite characters. The last Batman Secret Files issue was pretty enjoyable. Short stories from well-known writers and artists, as well as new and exciting creators delving into the world of Batman for the first time. The second issue follows the exact same formula, but I don’t think it stuck the landing, as well as the first comic, did.
The easiest and best way for me to review this comic is to talk about each story individually, then grade the issue as a whole in the end.

Story 1: “If the Shoe Fits” by Andy Kubert, Amancay Nahuelpan and Trish Mulvihill

Kicking this comic off is a fun little tale about – essentially – Batman and his plot armor. Joker captures Batman and has him bounded in chains whilst hanging upside down. Throughout this story, Joker is trying to figure out ways to get Batman out of his suit, as he thinks it would be hilarious to kill Batman as Batman. Every little thing that can go wrong for Joker goes wrong, as Batman has a contingency for every piece of his suit.
I thought this was just a simple story to breeze through and enjoy. I like when Batman is portrayed as a guy who has backup plans for his backup plans and is always prepared. Plus, I love seeing writers come up with whacky new features Batman has integrated into his suit to avoid being compromised. Though, nothing will top the moment Batman’s ears ejected and acted as weapons in All-Star Batman.

Andy Kubert was doing the writing instead of the drawing this time and I thought he did well. It was mostly just Joker talking to himself, but it was fine. Nothing out of the ordinary happened and that’s both good and bad. The art from Amancay Nahuelpan was decent, too. I really enjoyed Joker’s expressions as he failed to remove pieces of the Batsuit. It’s clear he was annoyed, yet intrigued, which makes sense.

Story 2: “He Helps Us” by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, Carlos D’Anda and Luis Guerrero

This one went by quick and was kind of mediocre. It seems that PsychoPirate has started something like a cult. People go to him to forget whatever negative feelings they have about themselves or others. The story starts off with Pirate’s followers telling a new member why they sought out the PsychoPirate and how he helped them get over their problems. Eventually, Batman and the PsychoPirate get into a scuffle. Pirate tries to use his Medusa Mask to affect Batman’s emotions but to no avail.

The whole premise of this issue is that we as a society must overcome our failures and hardships naturally. Let those dark times motivate us to become better people on our own. I think the message here is great. It’s certainly nothing new, but I think it’s important to remind people that we can get through anything if we put our mind to it.

I enjoyed the way Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing portrayed Batman. I like the idea of Psycho Pirate being a cultist. I would read more from these two, given the chance. I also liked Carlos D’Anda’s art paired with the colors of Luis Guerrero. I think they both have a bright future in the comics industry.

Story 3: “Alone” by Mairghread Scott, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith and Tomeu Morey

Riddler stories are always kind of similar. Riddler starts a new “game”. Batman plays his game. Riddler kills people. Batman gets angrier. Riddler thinks he’s stumped Batman. Batman beats Riddler. Repeat.
I feel like I’ve read that story a thousand times. That’s basically the premise of “Alone”, but there are some fun twists. Throughout the story, Riddler is being analyzed by a doctor at Arkham Asylum. He’s recounting his last game of riddles, whilst the doctor points out that most of the locations riddles were placed in had something to do with Edward Nygma’s past, suggesting this was a personal “game”.

The other fun twist is that there’s a riddle that us – the readers – need to solve as we read the story. I like stuff like that where I have to pay even more attention than usual. The riddle is actually fairly complex, I felt like an actual detective trying to solve it. Good job, Mairghread Scott.

This was a simple, basic story on the surface level, but has more than meets the eye if you really look into it. Scott’s characterization of Riddler was really great. I liked how she delved more into his past and did her best to turn a story formula we’ve all read a thousand times into something with more depth and care. Also really like Giuseppe Camuncoli’s artwork. Every expression was believable and his art kept me immersed throughout.

Story 4: “Doctor of Psychiatric Medicine” by Steve Orlando, Eduardo Risso and Dave Stewart

Possibly the most bizarre story in this entire issue. It’s a literal deconstruction of Batman, as a (painfully obvious) scientist attempts to figure out who he is and how he does what he does. He conducts this experiment by placing 5 Batman wannabes into some deadly scenarios. Their objective is to escape, and to do so as Batman – and not in name only. The scientists want his subjects to become Batman, for he feels he’s the only one who should supply the world with Batman. It’s a weird story, but some may say it’s… Strange.

I really liked this story, but I think the biggest reason was because of the art. Eduardo Risso of 100 Bullets fame did a great job illustrating this odd tale. Dave Stewart’s colors really help sell Risso’s artwork, too. Some of the art is downright nasty and brutal but in a fantastic way. Steve Orlando’s plot is great, too. This is definitely the best and most memorable story in the entire issue, in my opinion.

Story 5: “Alethephobia” by Tim Seeley, Patrick Gleason and John Kalisz

The fifth and final story shares a bit about Bane before he became the man we all know today. The story begins many years into the past. A journalist is about to interview a teenage Bane before he’s thrown into solitary confinement for a decade. The journalist wishes to know more about Bane, specifically what his wishes and fears are. The rest of the story takes place in the present, where Bane is shaking down gang members in Tegucigalpa as he searches for the same journalist. Of course, Batman isn’t far behind.

This story feels encumbering. It seems like writer Tim Seeley had a lot to say, but forgot that he only had 8 pages to work with. It’s interesting, but the pacing is sloppy and I think this is something that would’ve worked better as a fill-in issue. This story is also, to my understanding, the final piece of DC work from artist Patrick Gleason. Well, for now at least, as he’s now exclusive to Marvel. His art is good and visually appealing. He’s grown a lot as an artist since his days on Green Lantern Corps and even Batman and Robin. I’d say as his last effort at DC for the time being – it was a good one.

Overall, Batman Secret Files #2 is a mixed bag of stories that you can honestly skip unless you really like Batman or you want to see the character from a perspective that isn’t Tom King, Scott Snyder, etc. Other than that, there’s really nothing all that important or necessary to read.

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