DC's Batman: The Imposter #1
- WRITER
- Mattson Tomlin
- Artist
- Andrea Sorrentino
- Letterer
- Andrea Sorrentino
- Cover Artist
- Andrea Sorrentino
- Publisher
- DC Comics
- Price
- 5.99
- Release Date
- 2021-10-12
- Colorist
- Jordie Bellaire
As excitement for Matt Reeves' The Batman continues to grow, Mattson Tomlin -- who co-wrote the screenplay -- makes his comic writing debut in DC Black Label's Batman: The Imposter #1. Tomlin is joined by Gideon Falls and Primordial artist Andrea Sorrentino and prolific colorist Jordie Bellaire for the Dark Knight-focused series. The star-studded creative team presents a disturbing vision of Gotham City, grappling with criticisms of the caped crusader in a story that, at times, is heavy-handed but nevertheless entertaining.
Batman: The Imposter #1 begins with a badly injured Batman falling through Dr. Leslie Thompkins' ceiling. Though her background is in psychology, the good doctor feels compelled to help the wounded man on her floor, so she removes his costume to tend to his injuries. She is shocked to discover that Batman is none other than her former patient Bruce Wayne. When he wakes, she insists that he starts seeing her as a patient again and threatens to expose his secret identity if he refuses. While Batman starts going to therapy, video surfaces of someone else dressed as the hero murdering three people -- and a city-wide manhunt for the bat begins.
Tomlin's Batman feels remarkably human. He's still a superhero, but readers first meet this iteration of Bruce Wayne after he passes out from gunshot wounds. The hero needs saving before the story starts, which is a refreshingly vulnerable vision of the Dark Knight. That choice ties in well to the themes of identity represented by the other/murderous Batman. Tomlin highlights new sides of Gotham by exploring the many extravagantly wealthy corporations, whose business operations are affected by Batman's war on crime. Detective Wong's investigation seems primed to explore the sordid affairs of Gotham's business class, which Tomlin juxtaposes with the underground world of villains Batman explores, giving readers a holistic view of Gotham.
Many contemporary critiques of Batman suggest that he should be in therapy and that his immense privilege is his real superpower. Tomlin directly addresses these ideas by developing Wayne's relationship with Dr. Thompkins. This vulnerable side of Batman is intriguing, but some of the establishing dialogue feels a little too on the nose. Batman and Thompkins' interactions could explore new sides of the hero, but instead, they present a cliched, brooding, one-dimensional character. Instead of adding nuance to the brilliant crime fighter, the therapy sessions reduce him to a petulant brute held hostage by his anger. This approach leaves plenty of room for growth, but in the context of the first issue, it fails to combat the criticisms it seems to be addressing.
Sorrentino's brutal depictions of violence add to the comic's human quality. His inventive compositions show the immediate consequences of every punch, kick, and gunshot. Throughout this issue, Sorrentino uses small, overlapping panels to zoom in on important details and to create a series of layouts reminiscent of the bulletin boards full of clues and potential leads in both Detective Wong's office and the Batcave. When he draws the city, he conveys a degree of chaos and madness that feels inescapable. It is easier to understand Batman's behavior when seeing his frightening landscape come to life in Sorrentino's hands. Jordie Bellaire's colors add a murky, menacing tone to the art that perfectly captures the city's dingy atmosphere before drenching particularly action-packed sequences in a violent array of reds that put the audience on edge.
Tomlin, Sorrentino, and Bellaire all work together to deliver the beginning of a riveting mystery that tries to bring something new to the character and the city he protects. While it isn't a perfect comic, it is as entertaining as it is ambitious. Batman: The Imposter #1 kicks off the series with a bang and promises more thought-provoking, beautifully drawn excitement is to come.