The Dark Knight finds himself taking on Gotham's oldest secret society, the Court of Owls. Can even the aid of a ghostly trapeze artist help him against zombies and immortals?
"Court Fight: Part 2"
Writers: Alan Burnett & Paul Dini
Artist: Ty Templeton
Colorist: Monica Kubina
Part of the premise of doing a return of the continuity first established by 1992's Batman: The Animated Series is allowing the show's creators to adapt their versions of more recent stories. This time, it is the Court of Owls, which took the Bat-books by storm a decade ago. However, Alan Burnett and Paul Dini are greatly (and wisely) truncating it while also (and perhaps less wisely) using it as an excuse to have more guest stars enter the story. The previous chapter saw a cameo by Zatanna, and this one continues Batman's team-up with the spirit of Boston Brand, a.k.a. Deadman. At least both are closer to Batman's wheelhouse than Superman was at the start of the last volume.
A mysterious clawed assassin named Talon has murdered sitting mayor Hamilton Hill, and nearly killed General Vreeland (father of Bruce's debutante friend, Veronica). With the aid of Deadman, Batman has learned that Talon is one of the undead (a zombie) and that he is the enforcer of a secret society which ruled Gotham known as "The Court of Owls." They hadn't been active since the 1950's, but General Vreeland's father was murdered by a Talon, and his collection of Owl artifacts was a target of the assassin. Using a magical amulet supplied by Zatanna, Batman can communicate with Deadman even when he isn't possessing a living person. However, Boston briefly possesses Alfred to greet Nightwing.
Calling him "Dickie-Boy," which has to be a bit humiliating, he and Dick Grayson knew each other from their days performing at Haley's Circus (even if Grayson was still a boy when Boston was murdered). Robin is a bit put off by it, which takes a lot considering he's faced off against Clayface and giant mutant birds. After releasing Alfred under Batman's command, Batman finishes his analysis of an old Talon's glove. Unfortunately, the blood sample is too old to be of much use. Meanwhile, the current Talon returns to his base with a lone masked Owl.
The Talon has arrived with some equipment that his leader requested. The Owl seems to consider Batman a nuisance, but is more concerned with Deadman. Since their own power has roots in the supernatural, perhaps the Owl has more fear of facing a like minded threat. He decides that two on two odds are too fair, and decides to resurrect more zombies to assemble an entire team of Talons. Unfortunately, the Owl seems to insist on using old corpses already wearing Talon gear, and some are barely more than skeletons.
Meanwhile, Batman and Deadman have worked through the night on their research. Boston is bored, while Bruce needs to be reminded by Alfred that it is daybreak and Mayor Hill's funeral is today. As one of Gotham's richest citizens, the funeral is an event that Wayne cannot miss. It is a packed crowd, including Hill's wife and two sons. Boston insists on possessing Hill's sister-in-law to spread gossip, such as Hamilton Hill Jr. lobbying to take his father's mayoral post before the old man is even buried. He could be a suspect!
When Wayne spots three masked eavesdroppers, he insists that Deadman would be more useful investigating them. The trio appear able to sense Deadman and flee when his spirit chases them, a sign that they are zombies (as only the undead can sense him). They flee to a church and Deadman comes face to face with the masked Owl, who also senses him. The Owl is initially surprised that reports of a ghost chasing them were accurate. That is before a gang of Talons appear and try to destroy Deadman's soul permanently with their touch. Boston amusingly narrates, "How much deader can a Deadman get!?" That's brilliant.
Thankfully, Batman quickly arrives to rescue him, since Wayne was likely looking for any excuse to ditch that funeral. Since the Talons are zombies, Batman has no qualms about blowing them all to atoms with an exploding Batarang (which is essentially an impact grenade with wings). This also blows a massive hole in the church, and then we get the spectacle of Batman literally bombing a church during the mayor's funeral. At least it all for the greater good!
After the funeral, Hamilton Hill Jr. and his mother have some harsh words against each other at his office. Mrs. Hill notes that she was the real power behind the mayor, as her husband never made a move without her input. She also knows that Hill Jr. has been embezzling funds from the family's fortune into a private account. He claims he did it on his father's behalf, but Mrs. Hill notes that his name is the one on all the money transfers, and she'll rat him out to the press if he refuses to return the money. He's then promptly kidnapped by a Talon. And to think, the funeral was the highlight of his day!
Armed with a fresher zombie sample, Batman gets to work studying it in the Batcave. He and Boston share some brief dialogue about something other than the case. Batman notes to Boston that Zatanna claimed that Deadman's presence is optional, and he could go to the afterlife at any time. Boston replies that he only has one chance to try to enter Heaven, and he wants to do as much good as possible to ensure that since he won't get a second chance. However, there is no way to determine just how much good is enough to satisfy himself. It's something that Batman can certainly relate to. Fans of this continuity know that in Batman Beyond, Bruce Wayne only stops at middle age when he is physically unable to be Batman anymore (due to a bad heart) and by then has pushed everyone away from him.
Batman determines that the zombies are vulnerable to extreme cold, and can be frozen. Deadman makes a reference to Mister Freeze, which is blunt foreshadowing that the villain's "Freeze-Gun" will be of use. He also makes a random comment which inspires Batman as to where the Court of Owls are likely located. The site of Gotham's original City Hall is slated for demolition, but in the meantime would make a perfect hideout for a group of old rulers.
And sure enough, that is where the main Talon, the kidnapped Hill Jr., and the masked Owl find themselves. Despite only being one Owl (which is not much of a "court"), the main rogue is employing some grand scenery such as a giant owl statue. He quickly reveals himself to be a much younger looking Hamilton Hill himself! He has been killed and reborn with a similar process as the Talons, only revived with a serum which allows him to maintain his intellect and free will.
Hill explains that he'd stumbled onto the Court of Owls during one of Veronica Vreeland's parties, since her father's display of exhibits is within the mansion. Originally dismissing them as myth, Hill was convinced of their genuineness when he found the Court of Owls' journal. It confirmed that their family were among those in the original court, and felt that it justified being more than a "mere" civil servant vulnerable to an election every few years. Instead, Hamilton Hill had the right to truly "rule" Gotham City with an iron fist!
At first, Hill Jr. dismisses all of it as some theatrical stunt, as if his father is merely joining yet one more organization or lodge. He notes that his father lived only for politics and back room deals, and long neglected his sons. However, Hill Senior is not swayed, and insists that his son return the funds he'd stolen so the Court of Owls can fully return. Naturally, this is when Batman and Deadman arrive for their timely rescue!
The climax is limited to four pages (which all have at least six panels each to make up). As Boston possesses Hamilton Hill Jr, Batman makes quick work of the zombies with the Freeze-Gun. The main Talon crushes it, but doing so causes him to be frozen, too! Batman offers to help "cure" Hamilton Sr., and I wonder how that would work. The man is a resurrected cadaver; wouldn't a cure simply kill him? At any rate, the former mayor triggers an explosion to try to bury everyone alive, which is fairly standard for villains.
All ends as well as can be expected. Hamilton Hill Jr. is saved, but is mum about the Owl's identity and still aims to become the next mayor, despite being an embezzler. Batman notes how revealing his father's crimes would make Hill Jr. less likely to be elected. Boston notes how Batman sounds bitter, but at least Batman admits that his opinion of Deadman himself has improved. He still won't agree to have "Bat-Beers" with the ghost, though.
Once again, Alan Burnett and Paul Dini produce a riveting and capable script which feels very much like it could have been another animated episode of Batman -- at least from The New Gotham Adventures era from 1997. As someone who is weary of decompressed stories, I find it refreshing how most tales from Adventures Continue are done in only 2-3 issues, with a connecting subplot at best. I was never fond of the original Court of Owls, if only because it was overlong and they leaned on being invincible. This incarnation may lean too far in the other direction, but it fits in better within the established continuity. The team-up with Deadman was enjoyable and fit the theme, even if I feel that animation writers like the character way more than anyone else does.
As I noted in my last review, the comic book version of Hamilton Hill, created by Gerry Conway and Don Newton in 1981's Detective Comics #503, was hopelessly corrupt and even in league with the mobster Rupert Thorne. The animated series version was little more than an occasionally opportunistic politician who was, at worst, not the biggest fan of Batman. It does seem a bit drastic to see Hill shift from being a mostly harmless mayor to being so power mad that he'd kill and resurrect himself as a masked cult leader. There certainly were less extreme ways to show his corruption. Maybe all the times being menaced by the Joker, Lock-Up, and Clock King took their toll on Hill's sanity.
Ty Templeton is a class all himself in terms of pencilers. He has a classic style which offers strong linework with a foot in the realm of animated storyboards. I still consider it a shame that he rarely finds himself drawing many "big" books because they rely on more "realistic" art and instead he usually draws comics based around cartoons or other niche areas like Batman '66. He keeps busy, I just see no reason why he can't be on a main DC book, is all. His zombies look great, and the visual pace of his work is always terrific. He's been writing and/or drawing comics based on Batman: The Animated Series since they began, and is essentially returning to a familiar place.
The next issue promises a further shift into darker material with the return of the Jazzman. For those not in the know, he was the villain at the center of one of Batman: The Animated Series' darkest and best episodes, "I Am The Night," which debuted in prime time. The Jazzman was a mobster who liked using musical puns who gunned down Commissioner Gordon during a raid, and then broke out of prison to try to finish him at the hospital. The mortal wounding of Gordon nearly broke Batman, and he almost quit in despair. It is very tough to imagine a sequel accomplishing much more than reference, but the potential remains high. Regardless, this remains the only Batman book I bother with, and it is among his most accessible to both casual and hardcore fans alike!
(images by DC Comics)
