By Jon Palmer
The Court of Owls finished spectacularly in issue #11 with “Bats” for the time being quietening the “Owls” but leaving lingering thoughts of whether Lincoln March is connected to Bruce Wayne and the inevitable demise of Alfred’s father in the side story. Inevitable because without it, Alfred may never have returned to Gotham and Bruce might have been without his most trusted confidante.
Moving into issue #12 we see a change in pace something less about Batman but a story that in one way reflects what Bruce Wayne is protecting and in another uses those same people to question how Bruce Wayne can understand the lives of those he helps through his developments and foundations.
Quite cleverly it is done through the quick introduction of Harper Row and through her reflective narrative that mimics those of Batman. From the “off” this issue drags you down into the depths of Gotham’s underground and in particular its sewers, two plot devices that are so synonymous with Batman for me that when it starts here you can only expect good things to come.
Harpers reluctance to go to the Wayne gala is captured well through the dialogue by making us all remember those situations when we’ve felt uncomfortable going somewhere for fear of being “out of place”.
Through Harper we meet her brother, Cullen Row, who is trying to get his sister to go and enjoy her night at a Wayne Gala. Her reluctance to go is captured well through the dialogue by making us all remember those situations when we’ve felt uncomfortable going somewhere for fear of being “out of place”. It’s both this and when she discovers her brother’s wound that other feeling of needing to protect a loved one.
At the moment we’ve had quite a few links back to Bruce Wayne/Batman, being underground, doing the dirty jobs and now the disguise (Harper putting on formal wear to mask where she’s come from). Even more so, that need to protect that is as much Bruce Wayne as it is Batman, Bruce Wayne protects Gotham through using his money for the better and Batman, well Batman just flies through Gotham getting to those places and situations he can’t be seen as Bruce Wayne.
The story takes its first twist after the party when Harper returns home to find her brother beaten and all their belongings gone.
The story takes its first twist after the party when Harper returns home to find her brother beaten and all their belongings gone. So, Harper wants to fix things and we learn a little more about how she learnt her skills, and how their father was at times absent. Again, I could only think about those links to Bruce/Batman, learning the skills you need to get by and protect those you love. Granted, Bruce Wayne went and learnt skills on a much larger scale but it’s all about actions and consequences. Harper’s learnt how to fix cabling, lights to make a home and keep it for her and her brother, Bruce learnt and mastered how to fight as well as becoming a very good detective because of what happened to his parents and to give people a better and safer Gotham to live in.
The next turn in the story is when Harper tries to stand up for her brother and gets in over her head, and luckily, and lets face it I think we all wish this could’ve happened if you were bullied at school, Batman turns up and the tides turn in their favour.
This is one of the reasons I really enjoyed this issue, yes I love the story arcs and the action sequences that just pummel you through from one issue to the next but this issue gives you the “nitty-gritty” (the essentials) of Batman’s world. It’s telling us that while all this massive stuff is going on with Owl’s or the Red Hood (with Robin) that it’s not to afraid to include some reality checks of people living in bad neighbourhoods, being poor and getting by or being given hell at school. The good of this all this you might be wondering is that for me it’s screaming out, “this is why we love superheroes” and why we believe in them so much.
Harper becomes slightly obsessed, a fait all of us can understand I’m sure, with her hero Batman.
Harper becomes slightly obsessed, a fait all of us can understand I’m sure, with her hero and through her knowledge of power grids turns this into wanting to help Batman as a way of paying him back. She does this and able to track him, which leads her down into the sewers amongst all the action.
With a little shift back to Batman #3 Harper does indeed help Batman, who is quick to let her know this is the last time. Indications are thought that Harper Row won’t necessarily listen.
So, at the end of this issue what I took from it is that it’s getting across everything we like about Batman, and Bruce Wayne, but playing it out through Harper. It’s noticeable that Batman isn’t in every panel or page but this works equally well, be it thinking he’s off saving someone while the gala goes on or that he’s down in the cave checking up on things.
The last bit of defiance from Harper at the end of the issue is nice and reminds us that Batman doesn’t take no for an answer either.
The last bit of defiance from Harper at the end of the issue is nice and reminds us that Batman doesn’t take no for an answer either. This issue isn’t just bridging a gap between the last arc and the next one it’s reaffirming why Bruce Wayne is Batman and let’s face it there has to be a reason for it.
I think a lot of praise is needed for both the writers and artists of this issue, I can’t say first hand but I imagine it’s a challenging task to write the issue that comes off the back of a spectacular story arc and through the dialogue, narration and the brilliant art it makes for an enjoyable read that lets you take scope of what came before and relax just a little bit before the next big thing.
Overall I found Ghost in the Machine a very nice story that shows what’s at the heart of Gotham and the people who live there and how we all need a little inspiration, help and someone to look up to when things aren’t going well.
For more comic views and reviews follow Jon on twitter at @palmerjono
Posted on August 30th, 2012
Category: IN THE BLACK HALL, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman, Batman Vol. 2 #12 Review, Comic Reviews, DC Comics, Harper Row, In The Black Hall, Joker, Jon Palmer, Scott Snyder