Each Friday, we'll be letting a different DC.com writer share what they'll be reading over the weekend and why you might want to check it out. Here's this week's suggestion for a perfect Weekend Escape!
With Absolute Batman flying off the shelves and its first arc recently concluded, now is a great time to celebrate the many explorative and alternative stories of the Dark Knight. I’m personally a huge fan of DC Black Label, the DC imprint that explores alternate universes and publishes standalone stories aimed at more mature readers. There are countless fantastic comic books to highlight from DC Black Label, but today, I’m going to tell you why last year’s Batman: City of Madness is visually and thematically a wild ride of a comic book that you should be reading this weekend.
The Premise:
There is a Gotham under Gotham—Gotham Below. For every single soul in Batman’s iconic city, there are twisted copies, like reflections in a broken mirror populating the city beneath. They are fueled by the darkest feelings of hatred and fear that spill down from above. The entrance to this twisted city of madness has been guarded by the Court of Owls for decades, but now the entrance has been breached, infecting the minds of some of Gotham’s most dangerous villains. Even worse, someone has escaped. The other Gotham’s own version of the Dark Knight has broken free and he seeks to find—or rather take—a Robin to train as his own twisted sidekick. Now Batman must reluctantly team up with the Court of Owls to stop Gotham from falling into madness and disarray. Are you ready to plunge into this cosmic horror Batman story?
Let's Talk Talent:
Batman: City of Madness is written, illustrated and colored by legendary triple threat comic creator Christian Ward, who delivers us a visually and thematically captivating story. Ward’s art style is ethereal and otherworldly with his use of textures and bold and bright colors. His striking color palette paints a world that looks so different from our own and that transports the reader to another universe the moment they lay eyes on the first page. The concept of twisted versions of Gothamites roaming free under the city creates dense lore and imagery with tons of potential that Ward only begins to explore in this thrilling three-chapter series. Ward has worked on numerous DC titles including the limited series Aquaman: Andromeda, and is currently writing Two-Face, the first ever solo book about the titular character.
Ward is joined by one of the most accomplished letterers in the industry, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Otsmane-Elhaou has lettered countless titles, including one of my favorites, Poison Ivy, and is also currently working on Two-Face alongside Ward. Otsmane-Elhaou’s stylized lettering in Batman: City of Madness is reminiscent of Batman: Arkham Asylum and expertly crafts the tone and enhances the voices of these characters.
A Few Reasons to Read:
- A spiritual successor to Arkham Asylum. Thematically and visually, Batman: City of Madness draws direct inspiration from Batman: Arkham Asylum. We see this through Ostmane-Elhaou’s lettering with the main antagonist of Batman: City of Madness having the same scratchy red lettering as the Joker in Batman: Arkham Asylum. Direct references can also be seen through the inclusion of Jeremiah Arkham’s dark origin story, Alfred's journal entries that parallel Jeremiah’s in Asylum, characters returning or making cameos, and dialogue referencing and alluding to the 1989 Batman classic.
- Twisted and bold new character designs of some of Gotham’s most iconic residents. On the issue #3 cover, we see a Cthulhu-esque Batman brought to life through Ward’s striking artwork, but it doesn’t stop there when it comes to Gotham Below’s twisted doppelgängers. Most notably, Two-Face gets a drastically different design and Robin gets a new, much darker redesign. And Gotham itself, which is arguably its own character, also gets its own contorted makeover.
- Alfred’s journal entries reveal his innermost thoughts and feelings. It’s fair to say nobody knows Bruce Wayne as well as Alfred Pennyworth does. He helped raise Bruce and has witnessed the darkest and scariest parts of both Bruce and Batman. Batman: City of Madness includes some narration from Alfred via intimate journey entries that reveal his most vulnerable feelings about his surrogate son. We see how Alfred is plagued with guilt and concern for Bruce’s well-being.
- It’s something different. I am a huge fan of DC Black Label because it allows artists and writers to bring already established DC characters to life in their own way—existing outside of established continuities. Ward’s depiction of Batman through the exploration and worldbuilding of a new and twisted version of Gotham creates something fresh while honoring the classic hero.
Why It's Worth Your Time:
Batman: City of Madness is a truly beautiful story. Ward’s artwork is ethereal and otherworldly. The unique character designs immediately grabbed my attention the first time I picked up this comic, and I savored every page as I continued to read on. We also see some heartfelt moments that wrap up this story and bring some closure to both the characters and the reader. This story explores what trauma, pain and the quest for vengeance can do to innocent people.
Ward expertly demonstrates how to play with and blend genres when it comes to the world of DC’s Super Heroes. A hero can exist in any setting—from wearing bright spandex and protecting a major city, to taking to the stars and defending the darkest corners of the universe. There is so much to explore within the genre of superhero stories and Ward does just that by showing us how a hero we all know can fit into and fight a Lovecraftian threat seamlessly. Additionally, exploring an already established and well-loved character in a new and unique setting is something for fans to be excited about. Who wouldn’t love a cosmic Cthulhu-inspired Batman story?
Batman: City of Madness by Christian Ward is available as a hardcover graphic novel in bookstores, comic shops, libraries and digital retailers. It can also be read in full on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.
Sami DeMonster writes about superheroes, horror and sci-fi for DC.com and reviews comics every week on social media. Follow her at @samidemonster on Instagram and Substack.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Sami DeMonster and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.
