In Tim Burton's Batman, the director brought Gotham City into his signature gothic aesthetic and the film became an instant classic. The original writer of the hit 1989 movie and its sequel, Sam Hamm, returns to Gotham in DC Comics' Batman '89. The debut issue of Batman '89 ended on a cliffhanger -- Batman was hanging on for dear life as the Coast Guards surrounded him. Taking artist Joe Quinones and colorist Leonardo Ito along for the ride, Hamm spins an intricate narrative that ushers in a new wave of characters into the timeless classic.

Batman '89 #2 opens with the Batman evading the armed Coast Guards by throwing a flash grenade to disorient his pursuers. But as he grapples away, the kid he helped earlier gets claimed as a casualty in the crossfire. This incident shakes Bruce to his core, leading him to hang up his cape and pursue philanthropy instead to help his city. Meanwhile, District Attorney Harvey Dent holds a meeting with prominent members of the council from the Black community to assure them of safety in the neighborhood and agrees to take the podium in the upcoming protest march. As the speech is underway, a group of looters scheme to attack the local stores when a caped wonder steps in to protect his community.

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Harvey Dent gives speech in Batman ’89 #2

Batman '89 isn't writer Sam Hamm's first foray into comic books, having collaborated with DC Comics on their Detective Comics series, which resulted in the critically acclaimed Batman: Blind Justice. In Batman '89 #2, Hamm strays from the usual gloomy tone of the Burtonverse movies and creates a heartfelt and intertwined narrative that keeps the story running. While the book acknowledges the social disparity and economic inequality in Gotham's marginalized communities, its commentary ultimately feels hollow. As the story progresses, Hamm focuses more on his deuteragonist Harvey Dent than on Batman, portraying Dent in a more sympathetic light, making the inevitable even more tragic.

Artist Joe Quinones captures the features of his subjects and renders them on panels with lifelike precision. Even within the constraints of comic book art, his artwork is instrumental in bringing back the nostalgic feel of Burton's Batman. The world of Batman '89 feels like a faithful recreation of the time and place the Burton movies reside. While much of this issue happens during the day, the architecture and overall atmosphere remain the same. Colorist Leonardo Ito uses darker tones to provide shading to the art, giving life and depth to the characters. While not shying away from using bright and vivid colors to portray the world, Ito uses a range of muted tones to pull off the late 80s fashion look.

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Bruce Wayne and the Batcave in Batman ’89 #2

Batman '89 #2 exchanges swashbuckling action for heartfelt storytelling. With three narratives running parallel and from the perspective of three different characters, the issue takes its time to build to its focal point. The story feels as much about Bruce Wayne, who is trying to make amends, as it is about Harvey Dent, who wants to do the right thing but becomes a victim of his circumstances. Batman '89 #2 ends with a tragic incident, a new hero, and the surprising return of a fan-favorite character that'll delight readers.

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