Dark Knight III: The Master Race #5
DC Comics
Written by: Frank Miller & Brian Azzarello
Art by: Andy Kubert & Klaus Janson
Color by: Brad Anderson
The siege on Gotham by it citizens is in full swing but instead of saving his city The Dark Knight is setting up his pieces to win the war against the Master Race not just the battle. Carrie Kelly searches the oceans with the aid of Aquaman for the body of The Man of Steel, while Batman and The Flash make the final preparations to spring their trap on Quar and the Kandorians. Its a tense lead up to what is an epic payoff as all of Batman’s pawns move perfectly into place and you once again see why preparation and planning are Batman’s ultimate super power.
Miller and Azzarello are doing what many of us thought impossible, they are creating another great Dark Knight tale. And while at many times Dark Knight III feels more like Superman’s story, every time I read Batman’s narration I can’t help but be transported back to when I first read Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns. The Master Race #5 is full of jaw dropping moments, and anxious anticipation. In issue 5 Miller and Azzarello bring the spectacle to Dark Knight III and even though it’s most important moments happen in the final pages everything leading up to those last panels is still refreshingly engaging and oh, so, Batman.
Andy Kubert and the art crew do a great job of invoking the original art of the first two Dark Knight books. I especially love Kubert, Janson, and Andersons Carrie Kelly as she is powerful, dynamic and maybe one of the most assured Robin’s to ever grace the page. I also like to imagine her purple and green costume is a tribute to Catwoman’s classic look. Kubert’s art is as striking and fun as Miller and Azzarello’s story telling.
Dark Knight III: The Master Race #5 is the beginning of the end as Batman starts to make his stand against The Master Race. The smile on Batman’s face in the final panel really sums up my feelings on this book and how I imagine the creators feel. Everyone is enjoying every moment of creating this tale and it shows through in every panel, but most of all on that last page of issue 5. Everything about that image just screams “We love these characters, and we love writing these stories,” and when creators love what they are creating we all win.
*Images courtesy of CBR