SYNOPSIS: Leap year only comes once every four years, and for most, an extra day on the calendar is a mild novelty. But for Calendar Man, it’s a critical error in that which he holds most dear—and now, Batman and the GCPD respond to a deadly hostage situation, but can they work together to stop Calendar Man before it’s too late?
Batman is back in the title he headlines, but is the story worth your time?
Michael W. Conrad writes, with Miguel Mendonca and Christopher Mitten providing the art, on the main story, “What’s a Calendar?”
Taking place before “City of Bane”, Calendar Man has taken hostages, intending to execute those born on a Leap Day, stating the day itself is an error that shouldn’t exist. Trying to negotiate with him is rookie cop Brooks, who is doing his best, despite Bullock hovering over him. Of course, The Batman is quietly on the scene, too.
Things get further complicated when one of the hostages is a member of the Yakuza and they storm in to retrieve him, making a bad situation worse, with the GCPD and innocents caught in the middle.
Conrad does an excellent job creating tension by escalating the threat and adding a ticking clock element to the narration. With two running narratives, Brooks and Batman, the reader gets to experience different elements and complexities in the situation. They offer a nice contrast, Brooks is unsure of himself, doubting the minimal training he has received, whereas The Batman is confidence personified, operating like a surgeon on the situation. Conrad does an excellent job of making both voices distinct.
Aiding the distinction are the two different artists, breaking up the duties by which character is driving the narration. The visuals on Brooks’ side are very clear and grounded. Batman’s is more “scratchy”, not quite as defined, with an edginess, polar opposites to the story they are telling with each character. Both artists do good work here, but whomever is rendering the Brooks side is the one I prefer, though the Batman art does have its charms. I got a kick out of the barely-seen Batmobile as well! Should look familiar to early McFarlane Toys DC Universe collectors!
“What’s a Calendar?” is both simple and complex, tense, and fun, too. Bullock is a treat and Conrad nails Batman’s dialogue and methods, making it feel like you’re reading an Arkham game. This story could easily be a Predator mission or missing animated episode. The switching art styles may not be to everyone’s tastes, but I feel it was used effectively, helping to identify whose POV you were reading. When it comes to the Batman content in the title this month, this one is a winner! – Javier E. Trujillo
GRADE: B
