Review by Ian Keogh

In 2009 Batman was believed dead. He wasn’t of course, but it was some while before Bruce Wayne returned. Battle for the Cowl details the arguments about whether someone else ought to adopt the Batman identity in the short term, while this volume packages five standalone stories about Gotham during Batman’s absence.

We begin with Royal McGraw and Tom Mandrake looking at the problem Commissioner Gordon has in attempting to recapture the inmates after a breakout at Arkham Asylum. It’s usually only Batman who can handle that. McGraw gives primary threat Mister Freeze a fine line in twisted principles and Mandrake’s art surprises. His style usually best serves more ethereal projects, but he delivers the super-science action equally stylishly.

A good start is followed by Joe Harris retreading old ground by investigating the insecurities of Kirk Langstrom, Man-Bat. Can he prove himself by protecting Gotham in an hour of need? It’s only when one of Batman’s more obscure foes is introduced that there’s a brief lively interlude before Harris reverts to breast-beating. There’s no subtlety and Jim Calafiore’s art never transcends a basic level.

David Hine takes a gothic turn, having the facility’s warden tour the ruins of Arkham, recalling the inmates who occupied now empty cells. The more prominent residents are mentioned in passing before Hine introduces new characters No-Face, Mirror Man, and the Lady, all to some degree obsessed with how they look. Jeremy Haun creates the right atmosphere for a haunting tale about a very particular form of madness.

Still credited as Christopher in 2009, Chris Yost tours Gotham’s villains in the company of the collection’s best artist Pablo Raimondi. It’s a convincing portrayal of the chaos Gotham descends into without Batman, each villain free to pursue their own agenda, and none of them having any concern for ordinary citizens. It’s the first story here to feature Batman, at least someone claiming to be Batman, and despite the disappointment of no conclusion as it feeds into the main story, it’s the best combination of writing and art.

Multiple Batmen manifest in Fabian Nicieza’s closer showing Barbara Gordon as Oracle guiding Gotham’s other heroes amid the chaos, but the focus is broadly on Batgirl, Huntress and Oracle. There’s little focus as the action jumps from one character to the next, but eventually a smart way of defeating Hugo Strange. Artistically there’s a good start with Don Kramer, but much of the story is the work of Calafiore again, who’s not as creative in conceiving layouts.

Battle for the Cowl Companion has its moments, but not enough of them to raise the overall quality above average.