While they’re tones are completely different, I couldn’t help but compare/contrast Christian Ward’s Batman: City of Madness to Rafael Grampá’s Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham. They’re both Batman comics from creators better known for their art than their writing and they both pull elements of established Batman lore to tell new stories. Where Grampá’s story never felt like it was ready or willing to introduce a new twist or layer to the Batman franchise, the first book in Ward’s story three-book tale sets itself apart with an entirely new world full of fantastical monstrosities below Gotham ready to wreck havoc on the city.

Ward packs a ton of story into this first entry without ever making the book seem bloated. Batman, Alfred, Two-Face, the Court of Owls, and a new young boy all receive ample development over the course of the issue, with Alfred’s scenes being the emotional anchor to the book. The core plot of the book revolves around the Court of Owls’ knowledge of what’s waiting beneath Gotham and a sinister plan they’re about to enact. Ward does an amazing job setting the stakes and building tension within the Court themselves. We don’t necessarily know who is in power, but we know it can’t be good.

My favorite moments of the book were the scenes involving Two-Face. Ward adds new wrinkles of complexity to the character, casting a diabolic, yet sympathetic shadow over the villain’s inner conflict with his own demons. Ward implies that Two-Face’s situation is somehow tied to the larger story but we’ll have to wait and see what comes of it.

Hands down, this is one of the most beautiful books of 2023. Every page was a visual feast, with Ward’s art adding to the twisted and uneven tone of the book in the best ways possible. I could gush over so many different aspects, but Ward’s depiction of Harvey Dent/Two-Face is so unique and draws attention to the duality the character represents. The Batman from Below looks freaking AWESOME. I loved the blue/green color palette used for most of the book and the different shades of reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows used for details or to strike a moment of importance. He’s one of the best in the business, but I’d be remiss not to also acknowledge to herculean work of Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou on lettering. He makes Ward’s exposition read like poetry on the page with some of it living outside letter boxes/bubbles and flowing free-form against the beautiful illustrations.

Batman: City of Madness Book One is a tour de force of imaginative storytelling from start to finish. Ward uses every aspect of the book to invent a new, nightmarish take on Gotham that immediately captivates the reader and immerses them in this twisted tale.

Rating: 10/10