By Harrison Stewart — People love Batman. Despite this fairly well-documented phenomenon, someone always takes a swipe at how many bat-titles are featured in monthly solicitations. As someone who reads most of those books, I find it hard to complain when the majority are great. Whether in his mainline titles or miniseries, the Caped Crusader is a very well curated character at the moment. But there’s the rub. While visually impressive, Batman: Fortress #1 doesn’t stand out from the crowd yet.

Written by Book of Eli scribe Gary Whitta, the story opens with a global blackout of extraterrestrial origin. After attempting to contact Superman, Batman hits the streets of Gotham to restore order. And that’s pretty much the whole issue. It’s a fun, reference-heavy sequence of internal monologues and rogues gallery cameos. But it also feels a bit too much like a videogame tutorial, where larger plot objectives are placed aside while you learn the fundamentals. You know more about the story if you’ve read the solicit than the actual issue.

The pacing problem is most likely due to the periodical format. As a single issue reader, you expect some kind of hook, twist or any unique trait to bring you back next month. Those anticipating the proverbial shoe to drop will have to keep waiting. Superman may be MIA, but DC fans have been living with that reality for over a year now. Why should this time be any different? Or particularly suspect? It’s entirely possible the slow burn approach here is meant to lull the reader into a false sense of security. And with seven issues remaining in the series, there’s plenty of time to heat things. But as of yet, there’s not a lot to sink your teeth into.

Fortunately, The Boys and Transmetropolitan artist Darick Robertson brings plenty of heat with some dynamite inks. He excels at sprinkling his pages with visual wit, playing character’s guffaws or grimaces to great effect. Robertson’s style is particularly well suited to the Dark Knight, favoring heavy shadows and line work that lend a perfect noir tone. Pages are tightly controlled and masterfully constructed, an excellent display by a maestro at the height of his craft. With Diego Rodriguez’s colors, the final product is a sight to behold. If you enjoy the more traditional look of Batman books before the Modern Comic Age, you’ll feel right at home.

Full respect where due, producing fresh ideas for a character continuously published since 1939 is no easy task. And while Whitta and Robertson arguably have the beginnings of an interesting story, we’re off to a plodding start. Batman: Fortress #1 is by no means a bad comic. It’s just difficult to recommend over a plethora of more engaging Bat-content.

Overall: Batman: Fortress #1 is a ponderous opening salvo with more style than substance. 6/10

REVIEW: Batman: Fortress #1

Batman: Fortress #1
Writer: Gary Whitta
Artist: Darick Robertson
Colorist: Diego Rodriguez
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Publisher: DC Comics
When an unknown alien ship enters Earth's atmosphere, disrupting global power and communications and plunging the planet into chaos, the world is left wondering...where is Superman when he is needed most? In the mysterious absence of the Last Son of Krypton, Batman must rally the rest of the Justice League to counter the alien threat...but first, he must quell a crime wave on the blacked-out streets of Gotham! Gary Whitta (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) and Darick Robertson (The Boys) have joined forces to tell a brutal and shocking adventure that will turn everything you think you know about Superman upside down!
Price: $3.99
Buy It Here: Digital

Read more great graphic novel and comics reviews!

Harrison manages a comic shop by day and writes comics by night. You can find more of his writing at @stewart_bros