Well, this was different than the other Batman comics I have read so far. But mainly due to the strange Villain. Many of the themes I have seen as common to the Batman comics are also within this volume. Batman still struggles with the question of whether or not his existence causes the existence of all these increasingly psychotic villains who often, in turn, also dress in elaborate costumes. He struggles with the idea of how to manage the fear he must instill in Gotham. And he struggles with the knowledge that anyone close to him is inevitably in danger’s way.

In this particular volume, Batman and the Mad Monk, there has been a string of murder victims whose blood has been completely drained from their bodies, along with having strange teeth marks on their necks...could it be what it sounds like? Meanwhile, Madison is becoming increasingly paranoid and terrified that Batman will connect him to his darker past and seek retribution. This leaves his daughter, also Bruce’s girlfriend, Julie to seek help for her spiraling father.

I loved the allusion in this one to Dick Grayson, and the foreshadowing of the Bat Signal. Also, you gotta love Batman’s ability to get out of any situation and that certainly comes into play with some very close calls in this volume!
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I found the second volume of Dark Moon Rising less successful than the first; despite Wagner's visual flourish, things felt muddled, and not in a good way-- the book often seemed like it was lurching from subplot to subplot. And though I like the idea of seeing Batman's first confrontation with the "supernatural," I don't think Wagner exploited it as much as he might have.

Batman "Year One" Stories: « Previous in sequence | Next in sequence »

The sequel to "Batman and the Monster Men", this one involves a human vampire whose list of victims is to include Julie Madison, Bruce Wayne's love. A good story that also sheds light on Batman's developing relationship with James Gordon, and Bruce's with Julie. And as always, Matt Wagner's art does not disappoint. ( )