Letters to Batman #12

Terrific job here. Honestly I've never been a fan of Zsasz at all. Perhaps now I realize it's because I never really liked the way he was written... until now! Charlie has no problem capturing the insanity of this killer, and it impresses the hell out of me!

Batman had some really great moments here that shows his continual struggle of his duel roles. And hey! Leslie! Always love to see my favorite Doctor!

Five stars, my friend! Great job!

I am digging the new year of the bat. Great story as usual Charlie. And the stuff when he was in the sewers was very realistic.

I have to say how impressed I was especially impressed with two things this issue.

1) You made Zsasz a really bad guy. Bad guys are suppose to be completely deplorable so we can root for the hero to kick their ass! You delivered on all counts there!

2) I cringed when I found out that the Question was going to have a major role in this storyline for fear of overkill of the character. But, through out the story you showed why he was there. Through him we were given incredible insight to Bruce's character as well as Batman's. You pulled off something that can built on for quiet some time here. You made both Batman and Bruce Wayne matter as individuals without taking away whats cool about either of them! Awesome job!

Tupper-
Great cover and it compliments last issues cover very well! But I do have a question, how did Zsasz get that slick pair of Adidas tennis shoes?

I think it's pretty obvious how he got the shoes. He totally sliced some dude open and stole them....or he stole them from some bum. Either way.

Thanks for the compliments Roman, Charlie. And a big hand to Charlie on such a well-crafted two parter. Bravo dude.

Back story?

Read The Question Quarterly #3!!

I liked this issue, as much as the last one, but I have to say I think it has some of the same missteps you've taken before.

Too much Question. To the point where I groan every time the character has dialogue (which is far too whimsical and flippant for my taste--- this is more the Creeper than a hard-boiled noir detective). I especially dislike the relationship he has with Bruce. I'm not a fan of the Type A @$$hole that Batman has become in recent years, but I am tired of the constant psychoanalyzing of the Batman and what made him--- and how does Vic Sage get a free pass to bust Bruce's chops about it? Bruce Wayne is getting (and standing for) life and relationship advice from Vic Sage?!?

I'm tired of the constipated emo-Batman! Like Grant Morrison, I want to see the Dennis O'Neil hairy-chested love god Batman, who is not emotionally retarded, would call a junior partner "chum" and then scare the bejeesus out of a would-be criminal... Less awkward agonizing, more scary-confident! He's a powerful, grown man, brilliant, influential and desirable. Sure, something bad happened to him as a child (but, it happens all the time in real life--- people move on)--- let Bruce Wayne take charge! Let him take Vicki Vale on the roller-coaster ride of her life!

But, as I said, I liked the issue. Nobody does psychopaths, blood and trauma quite like Charlie--- and the action was good. And the mystery with Ms. Head builds (I know you didn't make it up, but I have to say that is the stupidest name in comicdom--- well, other than Joker's Daughter!--- I'd just as soon prefer the untranslated version).

Very much enjoyed this issue. Zsasz was great, one of my favourite bat-villains as well.

I have to say I kinda disagree a little with Idle and Art, I like me my hardcore, says hardly anything, stays in the shadows and kicks lots of ass Batman. Although I also like the detective stories you can tell with Batman. So keep writing him how you're writing him! It works!

I want to see more of what Bruce Wayne's doing as well, I always say the perfect Batman story has some part for Bruce to play as well.

I just saw "American Psycho" for the first time a few nights ago (if you've never seen it, go get it, Christian Bale makes a great yuppie serial killer!), and in this issue while Batman was detailing when Zsasz was finally outed and he wiped out a whole boardroom of people, I kept picturing Bale doing it...and since he also plays Batman onscreen, it was a little weird.

Anyways, the story...absolutely perfect! Yes, a little Question-heavy, but I enjoy the way Charlie does him so much, I can't complain. As for Bats being too moody...sometimes I like that, and sometimes I wish he'd lighten up. In this story, moody works -- with Vic going off the way he was, Bats had to counterbalance it -- but I do hope him and Vicki get to have a relationship in the future.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to feed a stray cat into the ATM... ;D

Cheers Park, always a pleasure to hear from you... WHEN YOU SHOW YOURSELF!

... WAIT? WHAT?!