Just in time for the spooky season, Batman: Full Moon is being released. Can you think of a better Halloween Monster vs. Batman than a werewolf? Add in Stevan Subic’s incredibly moody art and comics pro Rodney Barnes, and it’s a match made in heaven. .
Batman: Full Moon #1 begins in a dusty factory in Gotham’s industrial district. We soon see that the man’s hands become much larger and hairier, indicating that something sinister is afoot. It was a werewolf transformation, and the lab-coated scientists around him thought his restraints would be tolerable. This is a Universal Monsters-level introduction to the big bad wolf.
Once again, Subic surprised me with this opening scene. This scene is shocking, from the choice of angle to somewhat hide the monster and focus on the horror on the scientist’s face, to his ability to create haunting eyes. This is not just a werewolf, this is a force of nature.
They’re extreme up.
Credit: DC Comics
The story then catches up with Batman on a mission, but soon finds out that he is also late for his date with Zatanna. Subic shows Batman surgically eliminating a bad guy, and Barnes details his somewhat rocky relationship with Zatanna as he speaks with her on the phone. Work seems to be a priority. It’s nice to see Zatanna in this story, as the supernatural angle of the monster is likely to be stolen.
As an oversized issue, the remaining issues set up the main characters, including the man inside the werewolf and why he’s in Gotham. There’s a lot here for Batman fans to love, from his detective work to his battles with werewolves and even his unexpected connection to Man-Bat. The fact that this issue ends in a church should tell you all you need to know about what kind of horror story this is.
My only complaint is Batman’s arrogance when facing the werewolf for the first time. As a man fighting all sorts of overwhelming monsters, he doesn’t take the threat seriously enough. Barnes hints that since Batman took Bane, he thinks he can take him too, but in reality, this scene proves just how inferior Batman is, but instead of Batman rushing in. It seems unlikely that at least some precautions will not be taken.
Batman: Full Moon immediately reveals itself to be a totally creepy and dark supernatural series. From Subic’s moody, foreboding art to Barnes’ smart choices in linking Zatanna and Man-Bat, there’s a level of complexity to this film that sets it apart from Batman vs. story. This is a dark and moody homage to horror and Batman.
Batman: Full Moon #1 is a dark and moody tribute
Batman: Full Moon #1
Batman: Full Moon immediately reveals itself to be a totally creepy and dark supernatural series. From Subic’s moody, foreboding art to Burns’ smart choices in linking Zatanna and Man-Bat, there’s a level of complexity to this film that sets it apart from Batman vs. Batman. story.
Utilizes several elements such as Zatanna and Man-Bat to flesh out this conflict
Subic’s art is unparalleled and unsettling
Batman looks like a real arrogant dummy when he rushes into battle with werewolves
