Batman Arkham: Hugo Strange by Bill FingerMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Batman Arkham: Hugo Strange collects Detective Comics #36, 471, 472, Batman #356, Batman Annual #10, Gotham Knights #8-11, and Detective Comics #942, all appearances of Professor Hugo Strange!
One of my earliest comics was a Brave and the Bold issue featuring Hugo Strange. Since then, the idea of a criminal psychiatrist with the knowledge of Batman's true identity has fascinated me. This volume serves up some of Hugo Strange's best machinations.
The idea of a villain that knows Batman's identity and uses it to get inside is head is a great one. Thankfully, Hugo Strange is one of the least-used recurring Bat-villain so his bit hasn't been overused like a lot of Batman's villains. Apart from the last story, there isn't a dud in the bunch.
The earliest appearance of Hugo Strange presents him as a maniacal mad scientist. It isn't until Steve Englehart brought him back in the 1970s that he really gets inside Batman's head. Marshall Rogers and Terry Austin serve up some great art in the tale of Hugo Strange trying to auction off Batman's true identity.
In Strange's next appearances, he hits Batman where he lives, specifically at the Batcave and Bruce Wayne's wallet! Robin trying to strangle Batman in the shower is a haunting image, as is two Batmen fighting in the Batcave just before it explodes. Strange trying to usurp Batman's identity is some bizarre stuff.
The next story, a four parter from the year 2o00, wasn't my cup of tea at first but it wound up being enjoyable as well. Batman apparently dies with Nightwing and Robin left to battle Hugo Strange in another psychological thriller. The final tale, one from the last few years, felt like filler, the conclusion of a storyline featuring Hugo Strange. Was it meant to whet my appetite for the rest of the story?
Batman Arkham: Hugo Strange is a great collection of tales featuring one of Batman's most formidable but seldom-used foes. Four out of five stars.
View all my reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment