Venom
A precursor to the 'Knightfall' saga, after Batman fails to save a girl from drowning, he resorts to using a steroid performance enhancing drug. The drug is venom, the same drug Bane would later use as an advantage when breaking Batman's back.
Being hooked on venom, Batman also finds himself as a test dummy for illegal military experiments, involving a general planning to make an army of drugged super soldiers. Ultimately, this is a story about Batman overcoming an addiction, and coming to terms with realising that tragedy comes with the job, as his future as Batman will no doubt be full of it.
I think it's fair to say this story isn't ageing well. Some parts of the story feel forced, and other parts depict Batman completely out of character, especially with the lack of trust he shows Alfred and gullibility when it come's to the bad guys intentions. An excuse could be said that this is a younger Batman who makes mistakes, but some things in this were silly. Not to mention Batman seems to confront fights head on in this with little thought of consequence. Surprisingly, Batman's battle with a shark in this isn't stupid at all, though I'm pretty sure he threw some onlookers off a boat to be eaten by sharks as a distraction to escape the sharks. Is that not murder? It's still an enjoyable read and worth having on the shelf, but I won't be rushing to read it again anytime soon.
Best moment: Batman emerging from his batcave with a full beard after locking himself away for a month to fight off the withdrawals of addiction.
RATING:
Batman Story - 5/10
Continuity - 10/10
Art - 5/10
Badassness - 5/10
OVERALL - 6/10
Being hooked on venom, Batman also finds himself as a test dummy for illegal military experiments, involving a general planning to make an army of drugged super soldiers. Ultimately, this is a story about Batman overcoming an addiction, and coming to terms with realising that tragedy comes with the job, as his future as Batman will no doubt be full of it.
I think it's fair to say this story isn't ageing well. Some parts of the story feel forced, and other parts depict Batman completely out of character, especially with the lack of trust he shows Alfred and gullibility when it come's to the bad guys intentions. An excuse could be said that this is a younger Batman who makes mistakes, but some things in this were silly. Not to mention Batman seems to confront fights head on in this with little thought of consequence. Surprisingly, Batman's battle with a shark in this isn't stupid at all, though I'm pretty sure he threw some onlookers off a boat to be eaten by sharks as a distraction to escape the sharks. Is that not murder? It's still an enjoyable read and worth having on the shelf, but I won't be rushing to read it again anytime soon.
Best moment: Batman emerging from his batcave with a full beard after locking himself away for a month to fight off the withdrawals of addiction.
RATING:
Batman Story - 5/10
Continuity - 10/10
Art - 5/10
Badassness - 5/10
OVERALL - 6/10