The Iconic Batman: Art of the New 52 Pt. 9

I spotted this image by Cameron Stewart in Detective comics #19 which was also the 900th issue of the comic if you follow it back chronologically.  The issue itself was an expansive collection of stories meant to tie in many of the Batman universe characters and serve as a compendium to smooth out the continuity wrinkles brought about in other Batman issues such as Batman Incorporated.

While I thought it a bold effort I don't think it was entirely successful and it acted more as a jumping off point for future stories rather than a homage to 900 issues of Batman in Detective Comics that I hoped it would be,

Saying that, what I would really like to discuss is the excellent piece of art contributed by Cameron Stewart as shown above.  As near as I can tell, it seems to be influenced by the "Art Deco" school of thought.  I say so because it employs the use of geometric shapes and invokes the modern age of machinery and the buildings made possible by it.

Batman is a creature of the night and is often set in a dark Gothic motif.  Stewart also sets Batman in the heart of the night, but instead of gloomy forbidding shadows, his frame is awash in a cold neon glow.  This is further accentuated  by the use of depth as our picture descends nearly to street level where it develops into a blur of greenish haze.  This haze serves just as foreboding as any pool of shadows because it disguises the endless whir of man's crimes against his own kind and the confusion wrought by the relentless maleficence that makes up the world of Gotham City.

Batman is depicted in minimalist fashion.  Absent is the sometimes overwrought musculature that often defines Batman artistically (See the cover to Detective Comics #19).  Stewart, instead, gives a partial glimpse of  the Batman, his square cut chin juts out defiantly over the depths and seems to add a quality of momentum as if Batman is moving from roof top to roof top.  The square cut of the shoulders and the frame of the cape adds to this dynamic canvas and serves as a nice counterpoint to the checkerboard of the cityscape with it's art deco inspiration.

Batman's cowl with it's sharpened nose and piercing ears are complimented by his armored kneecap and adds to Batman's fearsome nature which gives him a weapon like quality that cuts into the night.  The knife like edges to the cities buildings with their Escher like opposition to each other further supplements this dangerous spectacle.

This is a refreshing perspective offered by Stewart and is deserving of praise.  It evokes motion, danger, and a dizzying fathomless environment that only Batman  can decipher.  We can only hope to see more of this fascinating work.