Batman: War on Crime

Batman: War on Crime - 1999 The second of the excellent Alex Ross/Paul Dini books. With a character as well-trod as Batman, it's probably tempting to say that there's no more to be said about the character, no new angles to view him from--all that's left to do is subtle variations on what's been done before. But in War on Crime, Ross and Dini present Batman--and just as importantly, Bruce Wayne--in a manner I at least have never seen before. We see Bruce decide to try and take on crime in more than just the traditional batarang-to-the-head way. For the first time in a long time to this Batman reader, it's Bruce Wayne that seems like the real person, not Batman. While the story is ultimately uplifting, it does end with a exquisitely beautiful melancholy moment, a moving evocation of Batman's lonely quest. This is a wonderful companion to Peace on Earth, and, I feel, even outdoes it. One of the finest Batman stories ever written. 68 beautiful, breathtaking pages by Ross.