Batman: Gotham Nights #22 review

As we all know, Santa can be everywhere at once, meaning all the world’s children get their presents on Christmas morning. Batman could do with the same ability when a toy coveted by all Gotham’s children turns deadly. Meet Benny, ‘The Hot Toy This Christmas’.

The obvious thing to do is warn the citizens, get those Benny Dolls out from under the Christmas tree before December 25. A simple TV appeal should do it.

Well, that’s the theory…

I do love a good festive comic story and this is a very good one, courtesy of writer Mark Russell and artist Scott Koblish. Russell gives us his trademark – but far from tired – satire, showing us how consumerism works in Gotham City. He spotlights one of my favourite old-time villains, uses action to advance the story and goes right back to the core of the Golden Age Bat-Man…

Yes, it’s Bruce Wayne in a smoking jacket, nicely drawn by Koblish and coloured by Nick Filardi, Koblish is equally good at producing eye-catching layouts, and somehow manages to find a balance between grit and cute. Filardi gives the usually dour Gotham a welcome dash of seasonal colour, while letterer Troy Peteri’s choices add to the drama. The creative team is a tribute to editors Liz Erickson and Katie Kubert’s collective eye for talent.

It’s December 1 so Christmas stories are more than acceptable. Buy this one now, it’s another 99c steal from DC Digital First.