The subtle tension of the debut issue? Gone. Batman #2 explodes into open conflict. This issue delivers a gut-punch that changes everything in Gotham for good. Writer Matt Fraction and artist Jorge Jimenez aren't messing around.
They immediately execute the war they hinted at by making Robin, Tim Drake, the first casualty. This bold escalation proves the team is on a vital, brutal mission.Instead of just another Batman story, this is one that confirms the big social commentary promised in Issue #1 is now a horrifying reality.
The Thin Blue Line In The Sand
Fraction is totally clear about where the GCPD stands, and the consequences are immediate. The story opens with Tim Drake being shot and detained after he tries to escape a robbery scene that he himself helped twart. This incident is the logical endgame for Commissioner Vandal Savage's militant approach. Savage has pushed the police to be so extreme they've lost sight of their main job: helping citizens.
When the police show up at the robbery, they instantly kill one of the robbers. This casual act of police brutality is a horrific example of the GCPD's broken moral compass. When Tim, shot and cuffed, escapes his restraints, he isn't running from the law. He's running from a hostile force. His whole interaction with the police proves the series' main point: the police are not allies. They're a threat.
Tim, Take The Wheel
Amidst all the chaos and violence, Fraction perfectly executes the quiet B-story of Bruce giving Tim driving lessons. This is a great, tender moment that highlights Bruce's complete trust and faith in his protégé, a trust he definitely doesn't have for the GCPD. This relationship is the emotional heart of the issue. Bruce is literally teaching Tim how to survive the city's dangers.
That lesson is tested immediately. After Tim escapes, Batman arrives to save him, but an officer shoots Batman in the head with a shotgun. This hit stuns the Dark Knight, leaving him completely out of the fight. It's here that the two storylines merge perfectly: Tim drives the Batmobile away fast to get the injured Batman to safety. Tim doesn't just pass his driving test, he saves his mentor's life. This proves their bond is the only safe spot left in this chaotic Gotham.
A Savage Interpretation of Events
The crazy fight scene ends with one officer being killed by their own partner’s bullet. That's some serious sad irony. It visually proves that Vandal Savage's aggressive, shoot-first policy is dangerous even to his own cops.
Savage immediately jumps on this, showing how he uses propaganda to control the narrative. He demands all reporters clear the crime scene. Then he spins his own version of events after finding a batarang. Savage’s big declaration that "BATMAN AND ROBIN ARE NOW CRIMINAL COMBATANTS AND ENEMIES OF THE GCPD" is the clear move of a power-hungry leader. He's twisting the facts and using the police as his personal army. The conflict isn't about justice, it's about tyranny.
The Visuals and Art
Jorge Jimenez's talent in this issue is huge. He's a master of light and color. Putting Batman back in the blue and grey is a smart visual move that screams his moral standing. Gotham is all dark shadows and corruption, so Batman's lighter suit acts as a visible beacon of hope. The blue lets him cut through the darkness instead of just blending in.
This look is totally amplified by Tim Drake's Robin. The bright, iconic reds and yellows are a searing contrast to the night. This dynamic duo is a vibrant force of truth standing against the black shadows of the police. Jimenez uses this color to drive the emotion. The chaotic fight scene is a mess of red (danger/blood), blue (Batman/hope), and the dark tactical gear of the cops. The visual story is clear: the only light left in Gotham is the light the heroes bring themselves.
Verdict
Batman #2 is where this series gets serious. The debut issue was the promise. This one is the brutal follow-through that confirms this is a must-read run.
The story pushing Tim Drake into the center of the fight makes this war personal for the Bat-Family. Bruce's driving lessons scene contrasting with Tim's real-life rescue is amazing emotional writing. It proves their bond is the only safe spot left in this chaotic Gotham. The death by 'friendly fire' is an intense visual showing how dangerous Vandal Savage's force is.
This comic absolutely refuses to hold back. This issue marks the point of no return. Batman and Robin are officially enemies of the state now. Every patrol from here on out will be a battle on two fronts. This is a story that everyone needs to read. It's an essential piece of social commentary that uses Gotham to look at today's real-world problems. It's a beautifully drawn, powerful tragedy that leaves you wanting the next issue right away.
Verdict: Essential Reading. Get it before it sells out!
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