Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale are no strangers to Batman's world, having previously worked together on The Long Halloween, which is considered one of the greatest Batman stories of all time. Loeb's writing and Sale's art are a match made in heaven, and they continue to deliver a compelling narrative and stunning visuals in Dark Victory. Inker Sale also deserves recognition for his contribution to the book's aesthetic, as his bold lines give depth and texture to the characters and settings.
Dark Victory takes place shortly after the events of The Long Halloween, and Batman is still chasing the Holiday Killer, a serial killer who only strikes on holidays. However, the stakes are higher this time around, as the Hangman, a new villain, enters the scene and starts killing police officers. Batman must balance his hunt for the Holiday Killer with his pursuit of the Hangman while also dealing with the rise of the Falcone crime family's new boss, Sofia Falcone.
The story is full of twists and turns, and Loeb keeps the reader guessing until the very end. Sale's art is as impressive as ever, and he captures the dark and moody atmosphere of Gotham City perfectly. The action scenes are dynamic and thrilling, and the quieter moments are just as impactful, thanks to the expressive characters' emotional depth.
At its core, Dark Victory is a story about family and legacy. Batman struggles with his role as a mentor to Robin, while Dick Grayson grapples with the idea of becoming his own hero. The Falcone family's legacy also plays a significant role in the story, as the new boss, Sofia Falcone, tries to live up to her father's reputation while also paving her path. The themes of loyalty, trust, and betrayal are also explored throughout the book, as characters shift alliances and agendas.
Batman: Dark Victory received critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising Loeb's writing and Sale's art. IGN called it a "tour de force," and Comic Book Resources hailed it as "a worthy successor to The Long Halloween." Dark Victory was also nominated for the Eisner Award for Best Limited Series in 2001.
One of the criticisms leveled against Dark Victory is that it doesn't quite live up to the high standards set by The Long Halloween. Some readers felt that the pacing was slower, and the resolution to the Holiday Killer mystery was somewhat underwhelming. However, these are minor quibbles, and the overall story and art are still of a high standard.
Jeph Loeb about the creation of Batman: Dark Victory:
The Falcone family is the core of the story, but they're very much on the sidelines. It's more about what they represent and how they influence the events of the story. The idea of exploring Batman's relationship with Robin was very appealing, and it allowed us to delve into some of the themes we touched on in The Long Halloween.
The novel remains relevant to modern comic book readers, as its themes of justice, revenge, and the darkness within us all continue to resonate today. The novel also stands out for its stunning art and expert storytelling, and it remains one of the greatest Batman stories ever told.
Batman: Dark Victory is a masterful work of storytelling and art that is not to be missed. Loeb and Sale have once again proven themselves to be a formidable creative team, delivering a gripping story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. With its engaging characters, stunning visuals, and timeless themes, Dark Victory is a must-read for fans of the Caped Crusader and comic book fans of all stripes. So, put on your Bat-suit, grab your Bat-signal, and dive into the dark and dangerous world of Gotham City.
Here are 13 lucky bits of trivia about the production of "Batman: Dark Victory"
- "Batman: Dark Victory" initially ran as a 14-issue comic book limited series published by DC Comics between 1999 and 2000.
- The series features several iconic Batman villains, including Two-Face, the Joker, the Riddler, and the Mad Hatter.
- "Dark Victory" also introduces a new villain named the Hangman, who is obsessed with enforcing justice on Gotham's criminals.
- The series was initially intended to be a sequel to "The Long Halloween," but Loeb and Sale decided to make it a standalone story.
- Loeb and Sale drew inspiration from film noir and classic detective fiction in creating the series, and they cited "The Maltese Falcon" and "Chinatown" as major influences.
- The series was originally titled "Batman: Last Halloween," but DC editorial requested a change to avoid confusion with the previous series.
- The series was released in three trade paperbacks: "Batman: Dark Victory" (collecting issues #0-6), "Batman: Dark Victory - The Deluxe Edition" (collecting issues #0-13), and "Batman: Dark Victory - The Saga of Two-Face" (collecting issues #1-5 and 8-13).
- The series was well-received by critics and readers, and it won the 2001 Eisner Award for Best Limited Series - Allan Moore also won an Eisner Award for The Killing Joke novel.
- In 2005, Loeb and Sale collaborated on a follow-up series called "Catwoman: When in Rome," which is set during the events of "Dark Victory" and explores the character of Catwoman.
- "Dark Victory" has been referenced in various other Batman media, including the animated series "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" and the video game "Batman: Arkham Knight."
- The cover of issue #1 of "Dark Victory" features an homage to the cover of "Detective Comics" #38, which introduced Robin to the Batman mythos.
- The series features several Easter eggs and references to other Batman stories, including the inclusion of Dick Grayson as Robin and the appearance of the Bat-Signal.
- According to Loeb, the ending of "Dark Victory" was intentionally left ambiguous to allow readers to interpret it in their own way and to leave the door open for future stories.
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