Review by Karl Verhoven

Future State looked at possible futures for the DC universe, and John Ridley picked up on Jace Fox, an obscure character introduced during the 1970s as the troublesome son of Bruce Wayne’s business manager Lucius Fox. Superhero activities run in the family, as Jace’s brother Luke has been seen as Batwing, while Ridley establishes early that family dynamics are far from smooth, and that’s on Jace’s shoulders.

Second Son occurs in regular Batman continuity. Gotham’s Mayor Nakano is still determined to rid the city of the villains he believes Batman attracts by ridding the city of Batman, and the city is just recovering from the Joker War. There are enough costumed interludes, but at the start Ridley’s primary interest is in establishing Jace and a family a turmoil, which is very effectively achieved. The best drama ensures all viewpoints can be understood, even if people aren’t in agreement with them, and the Fox family rapidly become a compelling bunch of well defined personalities. Lucius Fox is one of the world’s richest men despite being African American, and the family standby is “worked twice as hard and twice as long to get half as much”. The way Ridley then sneaks in the actual threat is a surprise, as it’s been underestimated.

To contrast the Fox family, Ridley also looks in on the police via two newcomers under new police chief Renee Montoya, who’s willing to go along with Nakano’s agenda, which is explored. Also of relevance is what Jace was doing in Vietnam before flying back to Gotham. All in all, it’s a fine stew.

Tony Akins is the artist who begins events, but the remainder is stylishly pencilled by Travel Foreman taking an approach of cartoon realism when it comes to people going about their daily business. The action scenes, though, are more traditionally laid out with greater shading, and are equally notable. What’s happening is always clearly told.

By the end Ridley has delved deep into the Fox family disagreements, and how they came about. A fine aspect is how blame is shared around, one unfortunate act compounded by best intentions. An incredibly convenient intervention toward the end is a lapse, but otherwise this is a comprehensive and readable setting up of what’s to come in I Am Batman.