May 14, 2004

Bruce Wayne: Fugitive

Bruce Wayne: Fugitive isn't really as satisfying as its predecessor storyline, collected in Bruce Wayne: Murderer? (reviewed here). Although Fugitive does share some of Murderer's strengths, like a strong ensemble focus, and the solution to the mystery is largely a good one (the qualification being due solely to the fact that one of the people responsible was ruled out in Murderer, and no good reason is given for his sudden resurrection as a candidate), the emotional through-line is a lot less clear. Unlike Bruce's crackup in the previous volume, which was perfectly foreshadowed, his turnaround strikes like lightning and with less obvious cause. I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's completely arbitrary, but the motivation remains opaque. The storyline itself essentially ends up in vol. 2; vol. 3 is wrapup, in some ways necessary wrapup, but I think marketing it as part of this TPB set is deceptive.

There are some very pleasing moments: Superman's brief cameo is outstanding, and Sasha gets to kiss and dismiss Bruce in a way he more than amply deserved. But I say get this one used (the set runs $45 new!), and mostly if you were left demanding at the end of Murderer, "What happens next?!?!?" That ought to be most readers, actually.

Posted by Sarah T. at May 14, 2004 07:07 AM | TrackBack
Comments
Post a comment









Remember personal info?