Arkham City: The Order of the World #1
DC COMICS
Written by: Dan WateRS
Art by: Dani
Colors by: Dave Stewart
Arkham City: The Order of the World, the brand-new DC miniseries which kicks off this month, is undoubtedly a very interesting and unusual experience that simply leaves you thirsty for more. A promising story with a fascinating cast of characters, the opening issue is guided by a terrifying psychological atmosphere which is simply enhanced beautifully with Dani’s groundbreaking art colored perfectly by Dave Stewart.
The story is set after the Joker’s horrific A-Day attack, as Arkham has been gravely wounded by a toxin unleashed into the institution by the Clown Prince of Crime. Killing almost everyone inside including patients and staff, very few escaped—some of them very dangerous patients that need to be locked right back in. The story’s protagonist is Arkham’s long lasting doctor Jocasta Joy, who has an intriguing personality (and some very questionable morals) and presents an extremely fascinating relationship with her patients throughout the book. The approach The Order of the World takes for this story is specifically unique and beautifully so. Instead of seeing this tale from Batman’s arguably over-exposed perspective, we instead read a story told from the less-convenient, yet so engaging lenses of a character readers aren’t used to. The Dark Knight, by the way, is nowhere to be seen in the opening issue — something that certainly benefits the story.
As Jocasta and the Arkham staff do what it takes to lock some dangerous Arkhamites back in and protect Gotham from terror, we find ourselves deeply emerged into this world and characters. Among the escapees that show up in this alluring tale of madness put perfectly together by writer Dan Waters are Ratcatcher, Mad Hatter, Professor Pyg, and last but not least, the intriguing (and quite honestly terrifying) Ten-Eyed Man, who narrates a good chunk of the story and, without giving too much away, has some very fascinating ties and relationship with Dr. Joy. Each of these characters are presented successfully in gruesome and dark fashion, which fits this tale perfectly.
Next up, the end panel teases: “Next: The Bloody Order of Azrael,” teasing the arrival of the Avenging Angel into this conjecture as we can only imagine the infinite directions this incredible story could take.
Score: 9.5
SUMMARY
Overall, Arkham City: The Order of the World #1 is certainly something worth keeping an eye on. Nearly everything works out for me, and all the plot points introduced here are sure to leave you absurdly thirsty for more. Jocasta Joy and Ten-Eyed Man are extremely engaging narrators and bring some fresh, captivating dynamics into the story, but the standout is absolutely, without a doubt Dani’s earth-shattering art that simply moves the book.