Batman: Dark Knight Dynasty Book

Though Bruce Wayne is the one, true Batman, it's a tempting thought to see the Mantle of the Bat as one that stretches throughout time, adopted by many brave souls. Given the Dark Knight's knack for blending in with the times over six decades, placing him in vastly differing historical settings is appealing, and, as Batman Beyond has proved, successful. Perfect fodder for the Elseworlds format, Dark Knight Dynasty-writer Mike W. Barr (Son of the Demon) has crafted an enjoyable saga of Bat-adventures through the ages stretching from the Crusades to the present day to the distant future of 2500. The linking strand is the Wayne family's generational battle with the evil Immortal Vandal Savage and, despite his rent-a-villain status in the DC pantheon, he makes for a charismatic, enigmatic adversary. Of the three, Dark Past fares the best, bolstered by Scott Hampton's gorgeous painted art which complements the suitably grim façade of the Medieval Dark Knight, Joshua of Wainright. Elsewhere, Dark Present, with the Bruce Wayne Batman is a by-the-numbers affair while the concluding Dark Future sees Brenna Wayne adopting her family legacy as Batwoman, along with an intelligent ape as Robin. Fused as a whole, it is Barr's streamlined style mixed with his malleable view of the Bat-mythos that makes this an enjoyable entry in the Elseworlds series. --Danny GraydonRead More