Batman: Full Moon

He is a superhero with considerable affinity for the horror genre. He fought Dracula and a Lovecraftian evil that came from the Arctic. He is also known to have very “Long Halloweens.” This time around, he faces a werewolf, but you know it is going to get rough, because this limited series was originally published by DC’s more mature Black Label imprint. Regardless, you cannot argue with the bat vs. wolf concept of Rodney Barnes’ Batman: Full Moon, illustrated by Stevan Subic, which releases today in a hardcover bind-up edition.

It is hard dating Bruce Wayne, but Zatanna is unusually understanding, having apparently already had the secret identity talk. That is fortunate for him, because he will need her occult expertise when he tangles with a werewolf. Initially, he assumes it is just another superhuman beast, like Grodd, but it is savage in a mindless way, but also contagious.

Fittingly, the werewolf was once Christian Talbot, an obvious, affectionate reference to Lon Chaney, Jr.’s Larry Talbot. As a soldier, he generated the ill-karma that attracted the werewolf who bit him, while serving on a mission in Romania. He came to Gotham hoping Wayne Pharmaceuticals could devise a cure. The infectious disease specialist certainly empathizes with Talbot’s plight. Formerly a super-villain, Dr. Kirk Langstrom, a.k.a. Man-Bat, has been fully reformed, but he remains a recovering vampire. Slightly disappointed by the lack of results, Talbot trashed the Wayne labs in his lycanthropic form.

Frankly, Talbot is a foe Batman cannot beat-up. Instead, he relies on the aid of Langstrom, Zatanna, and her surly ex, John Constantine. The Hellblazer clearly isn’t over her yet, but that is why comic geeks are crazy for her. Of course, Alfred Pennyworth and his mordant wit are also as dependable as ever.

Barnes serves up an unusually angsty and moody take on werewolves, but that obviously suits the Dark Knight. He also cleverly incorporates the other familiar DC characters, especially Langstrom, into this Elseworlds storyline. Parents should note the 13+ age guideline is apt, mostly for language, but also for some mature references (albeit one that would hopefully be lost on younger readers, but these days, you never know).

The result is Batman in a horror context, even more than the film adaptation of The Doom that Came to Gotham. Subic’s art vividly expresses the creepiness of the supernatural dread. He has his own distinct style, but the vibe shares a kinship with some of Bill Sienkiewicz’s work or Dave McKean’s Arkham Asylum.

Batman: Full Moon is a great example of the non-canonical adventurousness that is a strength for DC. It also demonstrates how adaptable the Caped Crusader is to other genres. Barnes even earns bonus points for his sympathetic portrayal of Catholicism, or at least Sister Weeks of the Potter’s Den Rescue Mission, who personifies service and sacrifice. Highly recommended for Batman and werewolf fans, Batman: Full Moon goes on-sale today at book and comic retailers.