Batman - Death Mask

[AuburnComics]

I admit that part of the reason I picked up issue one was because of its reverse paging and Japanese styling. However, I don't think it was just a gimmick. Yoshinori Natsume did this 4 part batman series in his style and as far as styling goes. It was great. I started out loving the series and ended liking it.

That being said, If you didn't pick up any of the series and you either pick up all 4 issues at once I think it would be a smoother, more enjoyable ride. Having expectations drop slightly from week to week makes a much bigger deal that having a storyline that peaks and then finishes well all in one sitting.

I liked the storyline for the most par thought towards the end it moved a little into the absurd. But, all in all it flows. You get what the mask is and what it's doing. You have a few times that you lose sight of where the story is going but you get pulled back before it goes to far. I think that the strongest two issues were 1 and 2 and unfortunately issue 4, the last issue, is the weakest. Part of me thinks that if the series had ended one page sooner it would have saved the last issue and put it as an equal beginning and ending. The last page though to me felt really campy and unoriginal.

But, out of 4 issues there's plenty to enjoy. It is definitely a different style for batman than what you see in other books right now and it takes you to a time that really seems to be a golden age for batman stories If I knew this 4 parter would be made into a trade I'd definitely say wait for it but on the other hand the longer you wait the harder it will be to get all the issues together. Your call but if your a Batman guy at all don't skip this one.

Update: Just as I finished posted this review I did another search and found that this series has already been collected. Another reason to check it out.