Well, this cover is very spooky, atmospheric and evocative -- but it doesn't fit this series at all. Fits the follow-up, Batman and the Mad Monk, far better. Anyways, we're coming into the endgame of this great title."Batman and the Monster Men, Part Five"
By: Matt Wagner
Colours: Dave Stewart
Letters: Rob Leigh
Synopsis: We begin in the office of police Commissioner Edward Grogan, who has called in Captain James Gordon on suspicion of working with the vigilante Batman. Gordon denies everything, but Grogan makes his displeasure known. Unknown to Grogan, in his pocket Gordon carries a beeper which he uses to contact the Batman. He uses it after the meeting.
Batman has been investigating the lab of Hugo Strange, which has been destroyed in a fire the scientist has used to cover his trail. He meets Gordon on the rooftops of police headquarters, where the signal is strongest, and reveals to Gordon the existence of the Monster Men. This revelation stuns Gordon, who begins to question the sanity of the caped crusader.
In the pack of a freight truck, Hugo Strange and his assistant Sanjay complete the genetic manipulations of the last Monster Man. This one used the DNA of Batman as a base for the manipulations, and therefore is much less deformed than the previous subjects. It is revealed the original subject for this manipulation was Rajan, Sanjay's brother, who apparently suffered from some kind of debilitating illness, prompting Sanjay to bring him to Strange and work with the scientist.
Meanwhile, Julie discovers her father Norman Madison in the midst of an emotional breakdown. The drunk Norman reveals to her that he owes money to the mob and that they threatened Julie's life if he couldn't pay up. Hysterical, he orders her to go into hiding, while he insists on delivering the money he owes to mobster Sal Maroni personally, necessitating that Maroni's men take him to Carmine Falcone's country estate where Maroni is staying.
Julie goes to Bruce to tell him about her father. He has Alfred drug her and place her in the guest bedroom so that he can be free to follow Hugo Strange. Strange is going to storm Falcone's estate with his Monster Men and kill Maroni, so that the last evidence linking him to criminal activity will be destroyed.
Batman has deduced this plan, and for the purpose of storming the estate has built himself an armoured, high-powered, tank-like vehicle. Alfred jokes that he should've added winged tail-fins to make it a "bat-mobile" and is disturbed when Batman begins to consider it.
Norman is brought to Maroni, who is angry at his presumptious nature and pretentious attitude. As the two discuss their grievances, shots are heard outside, and Maroni assumes Madison has led the cops there, and pulls a gun on him.
My Thoughts: This issue is fairly weak, as it's only real pupose is to link the last installment with next month's explosive climax. There are no real incidents here to make this story stand-out, except for the introduction of the prototype of what will become the Batmobile. Wagner's design for it is perfect, looking like a mix of the Tumbler from Batman Begins, the vehicle from the Tim Burton Batman films, and the 40s comic book design, but in a more basic, tank-like form.
The Art: Wagner's art is still strong in this issue, but again the only thing really worth commenting on is the prototype Batmobile design. Other than that the work remains strongly character-based, including a fantastic double-take from Gordon when Batman explains the nature of Hugo Strange's Monster Men to him. Another note is that it's very, very weird to see Hugo Strange in a baseball cap.
The Story: Again, it's connect-the-dots month this issue, probably the worst case of that feeling in this particular series. Oddly enough, Norman Madison's transformation from principled businessman to paranoid hysteria seems rather sudden, brought on by a single, rather standard, threat from the mob and one good drinking session. I'm not sure if this is poor writing on Wagner's part, or just supposed to imply that Madison was really never that together in the first place.
Notes and Trivia: Batman gains his first prototype Batmobile.
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