The Iconic Batman: Art of the New 52 #5

 

In this the fifth installment of my ongoing series taking a look at the iconic Batman we get a full page spread penciled by Patrick Gleason with inks by Mick Fray and colors by John Kalisz.  It comes from “Batman and Robin” issue number 4 of the “New 52”.  This dynamic image shows Batman and Robin narrowly escaping the carnage of an exploding car as it is used to cover the escape of Morgan.

You can almost feel the heat of the ignited gasoline as the page is filled with searing reds and orange as the explosion blossoms behind Batman.  The reader may be attempted to avert their eyes as the deep black of Batman’s costume gives depth of color to this near catastrophe for the dynamic duo.  Colorist Kalisz makes good work of the contrast of the black of Batman’s costume as opposed to the bright background colors.

I like the way Gleason has chosen to draw Batman wrapped in his cape for protection from the blast with his fist pulled across his face.  He looks almost evil as Batman’s eyes are slanted in anger and the ragged nature of his cape adds to this threatening display.  

I wonder if Gleason was ever a fan of the sci-fi series Babylon 5.  The above image is remarkably similar to the spacecraft used by the ancient race of the “Shadows”.

 

As you can see from the image above the Shadow’s spacecraft is quite similar to Batman in his costume.  They both possess spindly tendrils that give the craft and Batman a spider like quality that is both wicked and malevolent.  Even though Batman is in retreat in this image there is no doubt he represents a creature capable of unforgiving malice such as the Shadows were in Babylon 5.

If we do see Batman characterized as such I don’t think it is a coincidence that the above rendition is so evocative as to remind us of the classic Rorschach tests.

 

Pictured above is one of the ten classic Rorschach inkblot images.  The Rorschach test is known as a “projective” test as those undergoing this test are supposed to “project” their feelings about the image, what it means to them, and what impressions are left.  These emotions are then related to an Analyst for their interpretation as an insight into the personality of the patient.  

Not surprisingly the ink blot above is most commonly referred to as a bat.  The Analyst may construe that his or her patient is fearful or feels threatened in some way.  Bat symbolism is often associated with thoughts of death and rebirth and the trauma both represent.  Historically, our collective unconscious sees bats as harbingers of death associated with ghoulish creatures such as Vampires and creatures of the night where early man was left at his most vulnerable while the Bat flew with impunity.

So how does Gleason’s image make you feel?  Are you frightened, threatened or otherwise intimidated?  Does Batman fill you with dread or does the above image represent a healthy dose of respect, audacity and valor?

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The Iconic Batman: Art of the New 52 #4

In this ongoing series of examining the art of the Iconic Batman we return to the work of Greg Capullo as it appeared in Batman number 4 of the "New 52" written by Scott Snyder.  To provide a little context, Batman goes beneath the streets of Gotham City in search of more clues to the Court of the Owls.  As Bruce Wayne, Batman's great, great grandfather, Alan Wayne had built most of the great towers to Gotham City.  Alan Wayne's lifeless body was found in the sewers that Batman now searches for answers.

The above panel reminds me of another man that was always searching for answers by the light of a lamp and he was the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes.  Diogenes often walked the streets of Athens in broad daylight with a lamp.  When asked what he was doing Diogenes would reply, "looking for an honest man".  The implication of which was there was never one to be found.  Batman seems to share the same obsession as Diogenes.  Batman's relentless pursuit of truth and justice mirrors that of Diogenes search for honesty in men. 

Both men share a cynical nature.  Diogenes was in fact a leading proponent of Cynicism and is widely regarded as one of its founders.  The philosophy of Cynicism dictates that men should pursue a life of virtue in harmony with Nature.  Batman's quest for justice fits nicely into this conception.  Ironically, the Cynics of ancient Greece rejected "wealth, power and fame" while as Bruce Wayne, Batman embraces these tenets as a vehicle to enable his search for justice.  I'd like to think Diogenes would excuse Batman's extravagant lifestyle as long as honesty, truth and justice were the end result.

There are some salient attributes we can derive from Capullo's illustration.  Batman is shown walking through a large sewage tunnel made of granite stones.  His light stick providing the only brightness far below the surface of the city.  With his cape hanging limply about his shoulders, Batman takes on the look of a monk on his way to cloisters.  The life of a monk is a solitary and often lonely pursuit.  Something Batman is quite accustomed to.

The water at Batman's feet flows past him symbolic of Batman constantly working against the stream and the difficult nature of his work.  The large shadow of Batman's cowl looms behind him.  It seems to signify Batman's larger than life stature and the impact he has on the forces of evil despite his solitary approach.  It also interesting to see Batman move at such a measured pace.  Most often we see the Caped Crusader at a full run, cape whipping about him as he thunders towards the scene of a crime brandishing his own version of shock and awe.  In this quiet purposeful approach by Batman we get to share in his intellectual reticence as he works his way through the crime scene.  A pleasant break from the overwrought clamor he is often involved in. 

Capullo's art and Snyder's writing afford us a look at Batman at his most isolated and reserved.   He is remote and reclusive and we get a glimpse of the lonely nature of his endeavor.  An endeavor that often demands a moment of quietude to divine the nature of evil and the pursuit of justice, truth and honesty.

I think Diogenes would approve.