Batman: The Long Halloween- The Last Halloween #6 Review- A Bittersweet Symphony
From DC Comics
Written by Jeph Loeb
Art by Tim Sale & Enrico Marini
Batman: The Long Halloween written by Jeph Loeb with art by Tim Sale is arguably the most iconic Batman tale in the history of the character, a tale so timeless and synonymous with the caped crusader, that it is easy to forget the title released in 1996, meaning it’s been around long enough to account for barely a third of the character’s long lifespan in comics. However, the numbers don’t paint the full picture of the influence of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s definitive creation which has worked its way into the public consciousness through continued sales of the collected edition, the numerous references and tie-ins via live action adaptations such as Matt Reeve’s 2021 film, The Batman, and The Penguin HBO series from Lauren LeFranc, and direct animated adaptations from DC Universe Animated.
What’s more, these legendary creators have not left the iconic title to sit idly by and collect dust and infamy, having added two additional sequels to the story, with Batman: Dark Victory acting as a direct sequel and the last (and most underrated) addition being Catwoman: When In Rome from 2004 which acts as a parallel short story. However, with twenty intervening years since the last installment to what most fans would argue is the perfect “Batman” story, Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale conspired to collaborate on one last chapter, The Last Halloween, before Tim Sale’s untimely death in 2022.
A lot has been said about the posthumous use of artists work in recent years, but I think that the earnest, honorary way in which Jeph Loeb and DC Comics were able to continue with Batman: The Long Halloween- The Last Halloween, is a genuine model for how to respect the legacy of individuals in comics who have influenced so much of our collective lives. In this case, in every issue released of The Last Halloween thus far, we have seen Tim Sale’s art adorning each cover, with guest artists attempting to emulate or at least pay homage to Sale’s iconic, unique work in the interior pages. Additionally, each issue has featured interviews with the artists explaining their approach to the issue, and the influence of Tim Sale to them personally or to the comic book medium at large, which has been a truly enriching, informative, and touching experience as a casual reader.
Most importantly, as someone who grew up reading Batman comics because of The Long Halloween, this new series feels like an all too rare chance to step back into the “real” story of the Dark Knight. There is something so surpassingly grounded, perhaps delightfully nostalgic, in the tone and structure of Jeph Loeb’s story that makes each chapter of The Long Halloween saga feel like the penultimate and definitive canon for Gotham City’s greatest vigilante Detective, in a modern world that is now mired in so many alternative universes and distinctive back stories to pick and choose from for Bruce Wayne and his Bat Family. Calling it a “good old fashioned detective story” makes me sound like I’m a million years old and out of touch, but I hope that the interested reader will share some of that sentiment and seek out this title as a return to the “classic” elements of what makes Batman such a prolific character.
Unlike a lot of my reviews, which I largely write with a sense of thoughtful enjoyment, I have to admit to a palpable feeling of desperation in writing this review, because I find the lack of commentary on this climactic, definitive series to be disturbing to say the least. Perhaps, many of you are waiting for the title to conclude and read in collected form, which is a perfectly reasonable way to engage in comic book readership, especially for a series with an announced and definite conclusion- but for all of you weekly readers who may have passed this title by, I urge you to seek out this series and tell a friend about this quintessential Batman chapter with a twisting, shocking, and wholly rewarding mystery decades in the making.
But let us talk about the story so far and issue #6 of Batman: The Long Halloween- The Last Halloween, which means,
WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!
In issue #6, we pick back up from the chaotic events of the last issue, made even more harrowing by the art of comic book legend, Bill Sienkiewicz, with the Joker taking it upon himself to fill the role of Batman in the dark knight’s absence, leading to the death of two FBI agents escorting Mario Falcone into custody on Valentine’s Day. As Commissioner Gordon and Batman investigate the scene, with Batman only semi-recovered from his gunshot wound from Christmas Day by the copycat Holiday Killer, they are approached by a new FBI Agent, Amanda Waller. Waller chastises Batman and Gordon for their inattentive investigation, revealing that the two deceased FBI Agents were NOT actually agents affiliated with the organization, and were more likely agents of the Falcone family. She further criticizes Gordon’s trust in Batman and the personal nature of this investigation that all began with the still unexplained kidnapping of Gordon’s son on Halloween. Meanwhile, we find Gilda Dent, our primary killer from The Long Halloween, making her way to Two Face’s sewer lair with newfound compatriot, Solomon Grundy. Her attempts at appealing to Harvey to come back home prove futile however, and she resorts to choking Two Face until Solomon has to intervene. As for what Two Face has planned with Grundy, we aren’t yet sure, but they are seemingly working to stop the copycat Holiday Killer out of their own warped sense of morality.
The introduction of Waller is of particular note in this issue, as it hints at a broader future for the Batman’s story in a way that other chapters of The Long Halloween have deliberately avoided. As opposed to this story being entirely self-contained, now it feels as if The Last Halloween and all that has come before is just the beginning for Batman, making the tortuous lengths to which he and his allies must go in order to solve the case even more like a somber act of faith.
Loeb’s specificity of character has always been a highlight in his Batman works, creating revealing dramatic scenes for characters that are often relegated to archetypes. Particularly, his careful attention to the slow descent into madness of Harvey Dent and Two Face is second to none, and reminds the reader of how tragic and regrettable the story of “Gotham’s White Knight” truly is. Moreover, Loeb’s treatment of James Gordon is also noteworthy, depicting the sobering realities of a man wholly committed to his campaign against crime and psychopathic terror sprees while attempting to maintain the semblance of a family life. Then, of course, there is Loeb’s nuanced, classically influenced depiction of Batman that paints the character as a Sherlock Holmes-esque detective figure with a honed process and detailed understanding of the villains he has created, but also manages to remind the reader, especially in The Last Halloween of Batman’s humanity, with his persistent emotional attachments to Gordon, Alfred, Robin, and Catwoman.
Loeb’s capable sense of patient character development is made even more evident in this issue when we see Batman confront Catwoman at Carmine Falcone’ penthouse, where Catwoman questions Batman about his emotional commitment to Robin and he asks her about her mysterious trip to Rome. This exchange first of all highlights the classic, tenuous cat and mouse (cat and bat) game between Bruce and Selina, where they can never truly trust each other or divulge secrets true enough that may make themselves vulnerable. Additionally, this scene further drives home concepts espoused through The Long Halloween and Catwoman: When In Rome, that personal attachments and the insatiable desire to know the truth are the unassuming root of even the most heinous crimes. Even now in The Last Halloween, Loeb is still exploring the idea of what Selina will do with the knowledge that she is the abandoned daughter of the crime lord that helped turn Gotham into the chaotic mess it is today. Mirrored somewhat in Batman’s continued, perhaps unconscious quest for redemption from the friend he couldn’t save.
Back in the bat cave, we see Batman alluding as much to Robin, as they query the “motive, opportunity, and means” of this copycat killer, and deduce that the only holiday that didn’t have any murder attempts was New Years Eve when both Gilda Dent and Mario Falcone were both in prison. Additionally, the dynamic duo realize that they were both told, “You’re on the wrong side,” from two different sources without further explanation. Next we cut to St Patrick’s Day where Mr Freezes’ gang attempts to rob a bank under the influence of Two Face and his gang. However, as Batman and Robin intervene, Mr Freeze is suddenly struck by the signature .22 bullet of the copycat Holiday Killer, and whispers the confounding words, “Batman, you’re on the wrong side,” once more. Before Batman can press Mr.Freeze on this turn of phrase, he realizes he must first give chase to Robin, who has gone after the shadowy figure of the attempted killer. However as Batman rounds the corner, he discovers Robin’s collapsed body, bleeding in an alley puddle next to the discarded gun, eerily reminiscent of Bruce’s tragic origins. In our epilogue page, we catch back up with Catwoman who has enlisted the help of Poison Ivy to capture Mario Falcone in order to force his assistance in bringing Louisa Falcone back to Gotham City, as a tie-in or continuation to the finale of Catwoman: When In Rome.
It is clear from every single issue of The Last Halloween that Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale planned an intense, meaningful, vision for the final chapter of their beloved story which somehow manages to still surprise and delight fans new and old. If you consider yourself a fan of Batman comics, then you are doing yourself a disservice by not reading this testament to the character’s earnest investigative talents and his complicated ensemble cast of friends, foes, and the perplexingly in-between.
Please support your local comic book stores and discover for yourself the pivotal events of Batman: The Long Halloween- The Last Halloween #6, on shelves now!
-Nicholas Aaron Hodge
*Looking for more Batman stories by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale? I recommend the often overlooked, Batman: Haunted Knight which is a collection of Halloween one-shots from the duo with even more iconic art and narrative development.
