BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN: THE LAST HALLOWEEN #4 takes a unique route this month, focusing on a smaller part of this world than the mystery at large.
Following Batman getting shot by Mario Falcone at the end of the last issue, The Dark Knight races home to pass out, with Alfred and Robin keeping watch over him as he recovers. Robin takes matters (and keys) into his own hands in a scene that gave me BATMAN FOREVER vibes and takes a big risk that does kick Batman into consciousness, but I fear will have some major repercussions.
Writer Jeph Loeb focused on The Boy Wonder for most of this issue, and how Batman’s injury affects him. We get a good reminder of just how young this kid is, how fresh his family’s death is in his mind, and how the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Loeb dialed in to focus on that, more so than the big mystery he’s been telling the previous three issues. And I found that completely OK. We get a good tease on that last page of what’s to come, and there’s sure to be a lot of smiling.
Cliff Chiang is the new artist on the series this issue and does a good job. This experiment of rotating artists is not distracting in the least, and I think it’s totally working. Chiang does his own style, 100%. But it’s fitting it into this world with shadows, designs, and colors. Robin’s suit really pops, but not distractedly so. Catwoman’s purple suit, whiskers, and tail is a fun trip to the “older” version as always, but still works. I’m a fan of Chiang’s work anyway, so I expected to dig it here.
In an issue where there wasn’t an attack on a member of the Rogues Gallery, and the rebirth of another, I found this issue to be interesting and engaging. More focus was on Robin, but Batman was involved throughout.
Another solid issue from a fantastic writer who hasn’t lost any steam. – Ryan Lower
