Broken Frontier

After his critically-acclaimed Deadshot miniseries, Christos N. Gage returns to the character in the final issue of this long-running Batman series.

When the defendant in a high-profile trial brings in Deadshot to assassinate the chief prosecution witness it’s up to the Batman to put a stop to the hired killer’s plans and ensure that justice is done.

This issue is as much a Deadshot story as it is a Batman one. A couple of years back Christos Gage was the writer of a very well-received Deadshot limited series that built on the continuity and characterization of the gun for hire established by John Ostrander in the much-missed (and soon to return!) Suicide Squad. Those who enjoyed that short run will certainly be very pleased to see Gage writing Floyd Lawton once more.

For those unfamiliar with Deadshot, Gage fills in the tragic past of this complex man and draws the obvious parallels between his life and that of Bruce Wayne’s. Both men are the children of wealthy parents and both suffered traumatic events when young that shaped their destinies. But while Bruce Wayne’s costumed persona is shaped by love for his parents, Floyd Lawton’s alter-ego is the result of his hatred of his.

There are lots of little continuity touches here for the long-time fans including Batman’s hatred of the Suicide Squad (that can be traced back to Suicide Squad #10). Lawton’s recently-discovered family is also touched on. Secret Six readers wanting a look at the background and origins of Deadshot will find this a rewarding read.

Phil Winslade’s art is gorgeous throughout this issue, with a striking front cover that grabs your attention immediately. His interiors are full of incredibly detailed panels with some of the most comprehensive backgrounds I’ve seen in a long time. The action sequences between Batman and Deadshot also flow well. Put quite simply, Winslade’s storytelling is a delight!

While there’s no great fanfare, this is the final issue of Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight as Batman Confidential takes over pretty much the same role but with the added cash incentive for DC of a new #1 issue. LOTDK has had its ups and downs over the years, and there have certainly been points where it’s felt like a repository for inventory material, but there have been some truly memorable story arcs in its near-twenty year existence. I’m sorry to see it go.

A top issue that underlines Christos Gage’s growing reputation as a writer to watch. If you’re not a Batman fan pick it up for Phil Winslade’s art alone!