3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
"We need someone who is prepared for a mean tomorrow.", January 30, 2008
This review is from: Batman: Master of the Future (Comic)
In the terrifically atmospheric
Gotham by Gaslight: A Tale of the Batman, set in 1889, a Victorian-era Bruce Wayne became the Bat-Man to avenge the murders of his parents and ended up taking down Jack the Ripper. The sequel BATMAN: MASTER OF THE FUTURE takes place some time later. But, as the story begins, of late, sightings of the Bat-Man have been rare.
1892 in Gotham City, and the thought is on the upcoming millennium. To usher in this new century (and to draw in revenues) the mayor of Gotham schemes for a major expo to be held in his city. But there are reservations, particularly from Commissioner Gordon, who fears that this event will lure in even more of the criminal element. Then a madman - who scoffs at progress yet styles himself the Master of the Future - appears and threatens to burn down the city if he isn't given control of Gotham City. Will the Bat-Man, who's had qualms about continuing his crime-fighting crusade, come out of his semi-retirement?
BATMAN: MASTER OF THE FUTURE (1991), like GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT (1989), is an Elseworlds production, Elseworlds being DC's line of stories wherein characters are taken out of their normal mainstream continuity and placed in alternate settings and timelines. In fact, GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT has long been widely recognized as the inaugural Elseworlds offering (although now I hear THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS has been re-classified as an Elseworlds publication, which, having come out in 1986, I guess would make it retroactively the first release). GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT, thanks to Brian Augustyn's good writing and Mike Mignola's brooding, shadow-laden artwork, proved to be an arresting gothic mystery. BATMAN: MASTER OF THE FUTURE isn't as dark, partly because Mignola has given way to Eduardo Barreto, whose artwork isn't as stylish or as moody. But that's not a knock on Barreto, a superb if more standardized craftsman whose stuff I enjoyed way back in the New Teen Titans title. Also, much of the story takes place not in the shadows but rather during the light of day, so the tone isn't nearly as atmospheric or evocative.
Personally, I didn't find this one as appealing as GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT. We get to see more of Bruce Wayne here, which might've been a drawback. It's Batman I'd rather focus on. A big negative for me was the villain. Compared to Jack the Ripper, Alexandre LeRoi, the Master of the Future, definitely pales. Bat-Man, when he does appear, does it during the day, taking him out of his element of night and shadows. Brian Augustyn is back to pen the story, but the story plays out more as a generic period-piece adventure, with maybe a dash of Jules Verne.
Still, this version of Batman still captivates. Unlike his modern day counterpart, he doesn't have access to advanced crimefighting devices or techniques. Instead he gets by almost purely on wits and pluck and determination. And, in whatever era, criminals remain a superstitious and cowardly lot, so the sinister costume always gets a lot of mileage. Even if it doesn't live up to the 48-paged GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT, BATMAN: MASTER OF THE FUTURE, at 63 pages, gets a mild recommendation. It's enjoyable enough. Incidentally, if you haven't yet had a chance to read GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT, DC has released a trade paperback
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (Elseworlds) collecting both that title and BATMAN: MASTER OF THE FUTURE. It's not a bad get.
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2 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good work, August 14, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Batman: Master of the Future (Comic)
An exellent atmosphere and a very good adaptation of the batman to a diferent time. It has a similar quality than Batman Gas light. It could be a good reading for everyone who loves something a little diferent.
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