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Preface: This story deals with sensitive subjects, mainly concerning circus sideshow performers, and I'm not quite sure what the protocol is when it comes to discussing such people. Google didn't yield much in the way of help, so if I end up saying anything incorrect, inappropriate, or offensive, please let me know and I shall change the review accordingly.
Also, you may notice that this review has absolutely nothing to do with the American holiday of Thanksgiving, which is today. Regardless, I hope that you're having a good one whether you celebrate it or not, no matter your circumstances! See y'all when the tryptophan coma wears off!
Matt Wagner's three-part Two-Face story, Batman: Faces (1992), is a Bat-classic by a master comics storyteller working at the height of his abilities, one that's been hailed by the likes of Joe R. Lansdale and blogs like Comics Should Be Good. The latter particularly hailed it as "a great Two-Face story," and Mark Waid went one step further, listing it in the top four "Essential Storylines" for Harvey Dent. That lofty standard alone would have caused me to harshly scrutinize Faces, but the fact is that this story has never sat well with me when it comes to its depiction of Two-Face.
One way or another, there's just something about what Harvey does in this story that just seems fundamentally wrong for the character. I've theorized that if this had used the Oswald Cobblepot instead of Harvey, it would be one of the greatest goddamn Penguin stories ever published, which is a shame all the more because the Penguin needs more great stories! Croc would have also worked perfectly, especially considering that circus sideshows play a very large part, and it would have played with similar ideas as the B:TAS episode Sideshow.
But on second thought, perhaps I'm unfairly judging a great story--and it is a pretty damn great story--just because it doesn't fit my (admittedly-exacting) view of Harvey. For one thing, it's rooted to the popular idea that Harvey's insanity is directly tied to his vanity, which is one of my least favorite classic tropes about Two-Face. Regardless of my misgivings, the vanity aspect is a legitimate one depending on which canon you follow.
Taken within that context, is Faces a great Two-Face story even if it doesn't have my preferred version of the character? Or do the problems with Wagner's Two-Face go deeper than my superficial nit-picks? Are the flaws with this Two-Face merely skin deep, or does it go down to the bone?
( How perfectly perfect... )
The trade paperback of Faces is commonly available, having just been reissued with a new logo to tie it in with Wagner's recent minis, Batman and the Monster Men and Batman and the Mad Monk. If you prefer digital comics, then all three issues are currently available for $1.99 each, so about $6.00 all told! Not a bad deal!
Also, you may notice that this review has absolutely nothing to do with the American holiday of Thanksgiving, which is today. Regardless, I hope that you're having a good one whether you celebrate it or not, no matter your circumstances! See y'all when the tryptophan coma wears off!
Matt Wagner's three-part Two-Face story, Batman: Faces (1992), is a Bat-classic by a master comics storyteller working at the height of his abilities, one that's been hailed by the likes of Joe R. Lansdale and blogs like Comics Should Be Good. The latter particularly hailed it as "a great Two-Face story," and Mark Waid went one step further, listing it in the top four "Essential Storylines" for Harvey Dent. That lofty standard alone would have caused me to harshly scrutinize Faces, but the fact is that this story has never sat well with me when it comes to its depiction of Two-Face.
One way or another, there's just something about what Harvey does in this story that just seems fundamentally wrong for the character. I've theorized that if this had used the Oswald Cobblepot instead of Harvey, it would be one of the greatest goddamn Penguin stories ever published, which is a shame all the more because the Penguin needs more great stories! Croc would have also worked perfectly, especially considering that circus sideshows play a very large part, and it would have played with similar ideas as the B:TAS episode Sideshow.
But on second thought, perhaps I'm unfairly judging a great story--and it is a pretty damn great story--just because it doesn't fit my (admittedly-exacting) view of Harvey. For one thing, it's rooted to the popular idea that Harvey's insanity is directly tied to his vanity, which is one of my least favorite classic tropes about Two-Face. Regardless of my misgivings, the vanity aspect is a legitimate one depending on which canon you follow.
Taken within that context, is Faces a great Two-Face story even if it doesn't have my preferred version of the character? Or do the problems with Wagner's Two-Face go deeper than my superficial nit-picks? Are the flaws with this Two-Face merely skin deep, or does it go down to the bone?
( How perfectly perfect... )
The trade paperback of Faces is commonly available, having just been reissued with a new logo to tie it in with Wagner's recent minis, Batman and the Monster Men and Batman and the Mad Monk. If you prefer digital comics, then all three issues are currently available for $1.99 each, so about $6.00 all told! Not a bad deal!
