Review by Frank Plowright

Batwing’s opening volume The Lost Kingdom was poor, featuring illogical events, plot holes and an artist not bothering with backgrounds, and only moving the viewpoint out when atrocity featured.

Part of the problem is solved with Marcus To as new artist, although that’s after two chapters by Dustin Nguyen resolving the background plot concerning disbanded African superhero team the Kingdom. Something they did before disappearing is revealed, a clever cause of fracture based on political expediency, yet simultaneously horrific and drawing together Judd Winick’s plot threads well. However, Winick then blows his redemption with a moment of extraordinary coincidence, contrived to push emotional buttons for Batwing. Furthermore, these chapters would have been better packaged along with the previous book as they bring closure and complete the story begun there.

The closure leaves Batwing in Gotham, and Gotham’s protectors play a part throughout the early chapters. To’s introduction features Batwing responding to the threat of Talon, wasting space with the organisation he represents, and prompting the consideration of what’s the point of having a Congolese hero if he’s operating in Gotham? He’s only back home for half a chapter before one spent in China alongside Nightwing. Then it’s a return to Africa, but this time with the Justice League for company. It’s as if Winick is doing everything to sabotage Batwing’s unique selling point to turn him into a surrogate Batman, and there are surely enough of them.

Marcus To isn’t yet the fully developed artist, with some definite wrinkles needing ironed out. On the other hand he’s very promising, and importantly, draws what’s necessary to tell the story effectively. Unlike Ben Oliver’s earlier work he’s also able to show violence without breaching boundaries of taste.

It leaves the final chapter the best as Winick supplies the transition sequence of former child soldier David Zavimbe becoming an ally of Batman as Batwing. He’s seen as an angry teenager and then as the only police officer not willing to profit from corruption before deciding a costume and a mask will let him operate more successfully behind the scenes. It’s emotionally credible as well as being understandable in a country riddled with corruption. If only Winick would spend more time there. Perhaps in Enemy of the State.