With Bruce Wayne an amnesiac as a result of events that transpired at the conclusion of the “Endgame” storyline, “Batman Annual” #4 explores the life of a man who has forgotten his colorful past. Writer James Tynion IV, artist Roge Antonio, and colorist Dave McCaig tell an exciting and thought-provoking story that explores the man beneath the cowl.
Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by Roge AntonioBatman is gone…but Bruce Wayne is alive? What does that mean for Gotham City? And who is Bruce Wayne without Batman? This special annual delves deeper into the mystery building, and whether or not Bruce can ever really escape from the shadow of the Dark Knight.
James Tynion IV brings Bruce Wayne to life in “Batman Annual” #4 and argues, through an exciting and well-written tale, that the heroic qualities within Bruce are innate despite losing his memories. With surprise guest villains and a handful of his usual supporters, Bruce is faced with the horrors of his past and the possibility of remembering events that could scar him once again. Tynion has an aptitude for writing natural dialogue that contains both subtlety and a panache for keeping us interested despite the lack of action. Although Bruce and his loved ones face danger from familiar faces, Tynion writes intimate encounters that explore deep psychological themes within the setting of the iconic Wayne Manor.
The focus on the human beneath the Batman uniform has been dealt with wonderfully in the “Batman” title by writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo. In “Batman Annual” #4, Tynion continues to humanize Bruce while also demonstrating that he is innately a hero with gifts unlike any other human. Tynion writes wonderful moments for Bruce that highlight his many heroic traits, such as bravery, intelligence, and compassion. There’s even a slight humorous side expressed at the end. Tynion is adept at giving each character their own moments and crisp, clutter-free dialogue that contain a natural quality. All the characters, including the villains, are fleshed out and emphasize the intricacy of Bruce and his world.
Artist Roge Antonio is a fitting choice for this story. His style is reminiscent at times of Rafael Albuquerque. Like Albuquerque, Antonio is able to lend a tinge of darkness and the supernatural to a realistic world. What makes the simplicity of Antonio’s art so impressive is how he’s able to set a haunting mood within the lone setting of the entire annual. We never leave Wayne Manor, yet so much seems to be lurking in the shadows.
After reverting to Wayne Manor from Arkham Manor, there are bound to be skeletons in this mansion’s closet. Subtlety, like a dark and stormy opening, promises a portentous ride through the aging manor. Antonio can then give us a splash page with infamous villains and transform the absurd and maniacal into something very real and frightening. Antonio’s art is suspenseful from the very first page and he and Tynion build that suspense until the end. Shadows and darkness permeate Antonio’s art and keeps us on the edge of our comic-reading seat.
That tinge of reality and suspense wouldn’t be present if not for the magnificent coloring finesse of Dave McCaig. His palette is muted and there is a complete lack of bright colors. “Batman Annual” #4 is a story taking place in the dead of the night and McCaig works within the shadows to give the annual an abundance of muted colors such as brown, blue, and orange. Even colors that are expected to be brighter, such as green and blue, are surrounded by a halo of the unnaturally real and filthy. With the realistic colors, McCaig contributes to the feeling which the other creators of this annual have successfully achieved: this is part of a journey of a man who has lost his identity and must struggle with repressing that which he does not want to remember.
“Batman Annual” #4 is a story of a man who’s extraordinary life has been replaced with one of anonymity and happiness. Yet it seems as if he will never escape the past and may well be pushed back into his “real” world. We all know Bruce is going to one day don the cape and cowl once again. But until that happens, Tynion, Antonio, McCaig, and letterer Steve Wands have given us just one part of Bruce’s journey through his new life that is intriguing, suspenseful, and thoroughly compelling.
Final Verdict: 8.5 – With James Gordon in the Batsuit for the foreseeable future, it’s satisfying to see Bruce Wayne grab the limelight.
