The Long Halloween” is a highly-regarded and timeless Batman tale that follows his year-long pursuit of the enigmatic Holiday Killer. This narrative introduces the dynamic trio of Batman, Commissioner Gordon, and Harvey Dent, setting the stage for Dent’s transformation into villainy. Moreover, it skillfully illustrates how Gotham City transitioned from a city dominated by organized crime to one overrun with supervillains. Known for its compelling mystery and engaging narrative, this story is a must-read for any Batman fan. Despite the passing of artist Tim Sale in 2022, writer Jeph Loeb has revisited this classic story with another sequel titled “Batman: The Long Halloween — The Last Halloween.” Regrettably, while I cherish this tale, it leans more towards pleasing fans rather than offering substantial content.
The Last Halloween is Disjointed and Disappointing
As a movie critic, I’ve had the opportunity to review seven instalments of “The Last Halloween” so far. By the time the remaining three issues are out, this review might undergo some changes. However, based on what I’ve seen in the first two-thirds, I feel confident discussing the challenges that have been present since the series debuted.
In essence, the main narrative appears to be a captivating central mystery, but it’s drawn out excessively and burdened by numerous subplots that seem disjointed. Let’s delve into the primary storyline first. To be honest, I must admit it left me somewhat puzzled, which could very well be intentional, given the intricate narrative of the original “Long Halloween.”
But don’t let my confusion deter you, as there are certainly aspects of this series that are intriguing and promising. Stay tuned for further updates once the final chapters unfold!
The central enigma revolves around Batman and Robin confronting an alleged duplicate of the initial Holiday Killer, who haunted Gotham’s criminal underworld for a year, but unlike before, this Holiday is targeting one of Batman’s arch-nemeses, seemingly with the aim of sending them to Arkham Asylum. The true identity of Holiday continues to elude us, but numerous red herrings keep the audience guessing, with potential suspects including Mario Falcone, Gilda Dent, and Two Face. However, similar to “The Long Halloween”, it appears that there might be more than one killer at play, as Calendar Man was unmasked as a copycat who shot Poison Ivy in issue #7. Despite its engaging premise, the plot feels overly complex and drawn out, with certain scenes lacking coherence. For instance, the twist where the FBI agents opposing Batman were actually Mario’s men raises questions. How could they have gone unnoticed? It was suggested that Commissioner Gordon was distracted by his missing son, but this doesn’t address the fact that these individuals would have needed extensive paperwork and clearances to operate within Gotham, which they evidently did not possess. This lack of explanation strains credibility, even in the unique context of Gotham City.
Regarding Jim Gordon, let’s discuss the subplots. The resolution to his son’s kidnapping seemed underwhelming, and his marital issues felt contrived within the storyline, giving an impression that the plot wanted Jim Gordon but wasn’t sure how to utilize him effectively. Additionally, Catwoman is hiding in Arkham Asylum due to fear of someone outside she won’t discuss, yet Batman hasn’t investigated this at all for six months. Her association with the Falcone family and her fixation on acquiring something from them, possibly the painting she frequently mentions, were crucial parts of “The Long Halloween,” but here they seem like unnecessary additions. It feels as though these elements are merely present because Catwoman had a connection to the Falcones in the original story, even though her repeated escapes from Arkham contradict her desire for seclusion. The overall feel is that it’s striving to recreate the charm of the classic but falling short.
DC is Obsessed with Nostalgia
In essence, “The Last Halloween” has a captivating mystery at its core, yet it often falters by overconnecting every aspect of “The Last Halloween” and “Dark Victory,” which seems unnecessary. The narrative frequently dwells on Jim Gordon’s marriage, yet its connection to the main plot is tenuous, stretching the bounds of generosity to suggest it mirrors the complex loyalty of the Dents. However, given that Jim played a significant role in “The Long Halloween,” his presence here is understandable, even though it takes attention away from other crucial elements.
There are hints Batman chooses to ignore because they would reveal too much too soon, echoing the methodical detective work of “The Long Halloween.” Batman’s portrayal in this story, however, lacks the thematic and plot significance that he had in the original series, where he was constantly on the edge, struggling for clues. The Joker appeared around midpoint in “The Long Halloween,” serving as a chaotic agent, much like his role here, but with less impact on the story’s overall themes and progression compared to the original tale.
A Reflection on “The Last Halloween”
In a nod to the beloved “The Long Halloween,” “The Last Halloween” strives to evoke familiarity among its fanbase. However, in its eagerness to recapture that essence, it seems to lose sight of crafting an engaging and entertaining narrative. To be clear, I’m not suggesting that “The Last Halloween” is a poor tale; on the contrary, there are numerous aspects I’ve found quite enjoyable thus far. Yet, despite moments of brilliance standing alone, it falls short of its full potential due to its relentless pursuit of emulating what has come before.
This issue isn’t exclusive to “The Last Halloween,” as demonstrated by storylines like “Hush 2” and the rebranding of “Justice League Unlimited.” It appears that DC is exerting significant effort to leverage nostalgia as a means of retaining fans. This trend, however, is not unique to this particular storyline.
In the comic “The Last Halloween,” there are numerous memorable scenes such as Barbara Gordon and Robin going trick-or-treating, Harvey and Gilda’s interactions, and Robin visiting his mother’s grave. Watching Batman solve the Holiday Killer case again is thrilling, but it primarily appeals to existing fan favorites rather than expanding the storyline as significantly as a sequel of such a renowned comic series might warrant. The nostalgia surrounding DC comics seems to be stifling their creative potential, but if they embrace this and let the stories evolve naturally, I am confident that “The Last Halloween” and many other tales would be exceptional, leaving no room for complaints. I sincerely hope that the final issues of “The Last Halloween” will realize its immense potential.
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2025-06-11 05:11