Darkness in Gotham City

This second volume of the saga "Batman Knightfall" includes episodes BATMAN # 498-500, DETECTIVE COMICS # 664-666, # 7-8 SHOWCASE'93, BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT # 16-18 and JUSTICE LEAGUE TASK FORCE # 5-6. The set was originally published in 1993.

After a very good first volume, the quality of the episodes is confirmed. Even better, it got better!
It takes therefore aware that the concept of "Knightfall" offers a backdrop that allows to renew the myth of "Batman", to enlighten a completely new way. The replacement, in the costume of the judge, by a more troubled and tortured hero (Jean-Paul Valley alias "Azrael") is the opportunity to experience a closer version of the "vigilant" as the superhero respecting the traditional moral code towards and against-all. This new version of "Batman" is closer and more that of a "Punisher", much more violent and expeditious.
Suddenly, the situation changed completely and clashes between the hero and his traditional enemies gallery are thereby completely renewed, with a new dose of suspense and surprises. The final battle between "Batman / Azrael" and "Bane", during an episode # 500 Dante (57 pages!) And keeps its promises by making the blood flow and leaving arise fury, while the accompanying drive its surrogate hero to the dark side!
"Knightfall" is a reinterpretation of the figure of "Batman" at an angle more adult, darker and more violent than was hitherto the traditional version in the mainstream series.

The shaping of the episodes is quite honorable. I must say it is done, essentially, by a trio of excellent old-school writers Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench and Alan Grant. Under their leadership, the boards have a dynamic cutting and leading. Ridiculous thoughts bubbles are reduced to a minimum, leaving the field to a series of soliloquies much denser and creative, which allow more varied and conceptual layout.
My preference is to episodes "BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT" (screenplay by Alan Grant and drawings by Bret Blevins), which intervenes in "Scarecrow," one of the best enemy of Batman. Three black and sultry episodes, superbly staged.
But I did not really enjoyed the episodes "JUSTICE LEAGUE TASK FORCE" (Writer Dennis O'Neil and drawings by Sal Velluto) with their silly superhero, in the purest spirit of the series B of "DC- pays ". But it is the lot of crossover that incorporate a new series for the market more effectively ...

This second volume of the series "Batman Knightfall" is therefore a very good surprise. Excellent material "old-school" and "mainstream", which makes the most of its editorial concept, thanks to an excellent trio of screenwriters. The graphics is very average however, which damages the reputation of the saga.
Urban Comics has opted to provide readers with a collection of very beautiful albums in cardboard mat premium paper. This is fine in respect of the original material but it gives volume to the considerable thickness that may encumber small libraries!
Two editorial pages are the scene at the beginning of the album, and each episode is preceded by its original cover. Very good editing work (except for the "corners" of the album, which will dull quickly ...).