Review by Frank Plowright

There’s so much additional material in this collection, it makes for an entirely different reading experience when it comes to the original, slimmer No Man’s Land paperbacks. Unfortunately, though, more doesn’t equate to better, but to lesser quality overall.

The earlier editions contained standalone stories by various creators set against the background of a devastated Gotham, and so does this volume. In 1999, though, Batman was the focus and while he’s still the primary character, multiple chapters spotlight others. If you’re a fan of Chuck Dixon and Staz Johnson’s run on Robin this is good, as this collection features a number of issues otherwise not available in book format.

Volume 3 opens with one of the better written additions, as Ian Edginton takes a look at how the disabled and mentally ill are being supplied. Unfortunately, then new artist Brian Minor isn’t up to the job. Janet Harvey and Sergio Cariello follow with a stylish look at Batgirl taking on some waterfront punks, before we see the return of Bane from Larry Hama and Mike Deodato.

Dixon’s strength is the no-frills action thriller, and this is better than his Nightwing in Volume 2, but three chapters in the sewers featuring ridiculous villain Gearhead and the only slightly more credible Ratcatcher is misjudged. Johnson, though, supplies quality storytelling (sample art left), and you’ll become caught up in the subplots. Dennis O’Neil’s Azrael is frustrating, by terms ponderous and engaging, improved on by Hama and Paul Gulacy’s reintroduction of Lynx in surprising circumstances and given a viable background.

The Joker’s presence is minimal, but Bronwyn Carlton and Mike Deodato use him well, and additionally supply some background on Harley Quinn, then relatively new to the DC universe. The freshness of 1999, though, has gone, and Tom Morgan’s art for the conclusion is more standard. Paul Ryan, though (sample art right), is surprisingly good on Stephen Barnes’ two part story of a policeman adjusting to the new life in Gotham. The human touch is well maintained, and the insight into the Penguin is original.

Bane has a bigger role in Volume 4, with which this content is combined as the second No Man’s Land Omnibus, but Dixon and Mat Broome here have him retrieve his armoury. It’s straightforward and effective, although lacking the subtleties of Superman’s second visit to the destroyed Gotham as supplied by Devin Grayson and Dale Eaglesham. Alisa Kwitney and Michael Zulli are responsible for the strangest story, in which a guy named Jason tours Gotham communicating with the city itself. Zulli’s version of Batman’s villains are innovative, and the unconventional mystical intrusion is welcome.

Two more of Dixon’s Robin chapters close the collection, Johnson again the better artist than Gordon Purcell, but they’re functional rather than great lost chapters restored, and that applies to most chapters missing from the 1999-2000 collections.