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First off, a big welcome to the handful of new followers who've joined up to this small but (hopefully) scrappy fanblog. As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, criticism, requests, or even want to post something Harvey-related of your own, let me know! The more Two-Face love, the better!
Secondly, I've been toying with the idea of how to look at the many Two-Face cameo appearances over the years.
The character is so iconic just in his appearance that he's made about as many cameo appearances as featured roles! Some of these cameos are just one panel, some are in group shots or collages with other villains, and some are even one to three pages long. Some certainly deserve more attention than others, such as the following scan.
As with most cameo appearances, a little context is needed: in "24/7"--the Devin Grayson/Roger Robinson story from Batman: Gotham Knights #32--we see a day in the life of Bruce Wayne, going through his entire routines on every level (businessman, detective, father figure, intimidating creature of pants-pooping terror), with glimpses into other characters and how Batman's shaped their lives. It's a great, essential bit of Batman.
But of course, my very favorite part also happens to be perhaps my very favorite Two-Face cameo:
I love moments like this, which say and show so little, but open up a whole world of possibilities, insight, and history in the characters. We've seen no indication of this ongoing game before this issue, nor do we hear any mention of it since, so it's entire up to us--the readers--to imagine the scenario here.
How long have they been playing chess? Who came up with the idea, and why? What will the winner get, if anything other than the satisfaction? Are they just playing the game, or is it just a vehicle for some larger stakes going on? We don't know, and really, we don't need to know... unless, of course, a talented writer actually was able to employ it for a good story. But how often does that happen? Much better to leave it as it is, to romp around in the playgrounds of our imaginations.
What I particularly like is Harvey's manner in these few panels (and this is just my take, as your own mileage may vary of this open-ended scene). He frowns, checking his watch, perhaps with impatience to hear his opponent's next move. Knowing Batman, he probably arrived right on the dot of what Harvey was expecting.
When Batman shows up and the move is announced, the immediate reaction we get is the scarred side in its perpetual snarling grimace. But when Harvey responds, all we see is the good side, which is depicted as uncommonly calm, pleasant, and intrigued. He's genuinely enjoying this match, for however long it's been going. But is he enjoying it as a way to pass the time? To challenge his hated enemy on the mental level? Or because he's just happy for the company?
Even that, I can't begin to guess. All I'm left to do is ponder, just like Harvey, for a tomorrow which only he and Batman will actually know.
If you want to read the full story, it can be found in Batman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told, Vol. 1, packed with several other essential Batman comics, including the wonderful "To Kill a Legend," plus "Night of the Stalker," which I'd consider the definitive Batman comic, period.
Note: this collection is not to be confused with the the older volume, The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told, which is also awesome and well worth checking out.
Secondly, I've been toying with the idea of how to look at the many Two-Face cameo appearances over the years.
The character is so iconic just in his appearance that he's made about as many cameo appearances as featured roles! Some of these cameos are just one panel, some are in group shots or collages with other villains, and some are even one to three pages long. Some certainly deserve more attention than others, such as the following scan.
As with most cameo appearances, a little context is needed: in "24/7"--the Devin Grayson/Roger Robinson story from Batman: Gotham Knights #32--we see a day in the life of Bruce Wayne, going through his entire routines on every level (businessman, detective, father figure, intimidating creature of pants-pooping terror), with glimpses into other characters and how Batman's shaped their lives. It's a great, essential bit of Batman.
But of course, my very favorite part also happens to be perhaps my very favorite Two-Face cameo:
I love moments like this, which say and show so little, but open up a whole world of possibilities, insight, and history in the characters. We've seen no indication of this ongoing game before this issue, nor do we hear any mention of it since, so it's entire up to us--the readers--to imagine the scenario here.
How long have they been playing chess? Who came up with the idea, and why? What will the winner get, if anything other than the satisfaction? Are they just playing the game, or is it just a vehicle for some larger stakes going on? We don't know, and really, we don't need to know... unless, of course, a talented writer actually was able to employ it for a good story. But how often does that happen? Much better to leave it as it is, to romp around in the playgrounds of our imaginations.
What I particularly like is Harvey's manner in these few panels (and this is just my take, as your own mileage may vary of this open-ended scene). He frowns, checking his watch, perhaps with impatience to hear his opponent's next move. Knowing Batman, he probably arrived right on the dot of what Harvey was expecting.
When Batman shows up and the move is announced, the immediate reaction we get is the scarred side in its perpetual snarling grimace. But when Harvey responds, all we see is the good side, which is depicted as uncommonly calm, pleasant, and intrigued. He's genuinely enjoying this match, for however long it's been going. But is he enjoying it as a way to pass the time? To challenge his hated enemy on the mental level? Or because he's just happy for the company?
Even that, I can't begin to guess. All I'm left to do is ponder, just like Harvey, for a tomorrow which only he and Batman will actually know.
If you want to read the full story, it can be found in Batman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told, Vol. 1, packed with several other essential Batman comics, including the wonderful "To Kill a Legend," plus "Night of the Stalker," which I'd consider the definitive Batman comic, period.
Note: this collection is not to be confused with the the older volume, The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told, which is also awesome and well worth checking out.
