Monday, 12 May 2014

Sunday Spotlight - No Man's Land

Comics are so often about status quo. It's designed to help new readers easily get into the story – relationships and settings stay steady and can be explained quickly (well, that's the dream). Batman's based in Gotham and always will be, Superman works out of Metropolis, the X-Men will always be reviled and ostracised by humanity. But occasionally, there will be a storyline that completely shakes things up. Knightfall was one of these, and another is No Man's Land.

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In the late 90's Batman had to deal with a number of threats, averting by moments threats that would have destroyed Gotham City. And then there was an earthquake. A massive earthquake. It took place in the major series Cataclysm as Batman and his allies frantically tried to rescue victims and maintain order as the city devolved into anarchy. They failed. The government declared that Gotham City was no longer habitable and evacuated the inhabitants that they could. The city was left to the disenfranchised, the poor, the criminals. No aid was to be given. There would be no rescue. The gangs took over.

But there were some good people who stayed and tried to maintain some semblance of order. Many members of the police department, under Commissioner Gordon remained, protecting as many people as they could. Without the rule of law, they're little more than just another gang. Not only that, but Batman is gone. While many of Wayne Enterprises buildings were earthquake proof, ironically Wayne Manor (and by extension the Batcave) was not. Bruce Wayne battled with the US government to re-start aid to the city, but was continually denied. Despondent, he realises that if he is to help the citizens of his city, he needs to be there. After a long absence, Batman returns to Gotham City, but he must work to gain the trust of his allies, and to convince the criminals, secure in their new fiefdoms that they must fear him once more.

No Man's Land is a great relocation for Batman – he has always worked outside the law, but has been aware of where that law is. In No Man's Land, the law is gone. Batman must adjust to a entire society that only respects the rule of strength. It's a great way to throw light on Batman's tactics. Normally, he's fighting for a justice that can be achieved – here, he's fighting just to make people believe justice is possible.

Because of this, the stories of the Gotham City Police Department would play a large part in No Man's Land – one of the (many) writers was Greg Rucka, who would go on to write the amazing Gotham Central with Ed Brubaker, that focussed exclusively on the GCPD. These were stories about men and women who believed in justice and the law just as much as Batman did, and loved their city just as much. But when Batman disappeared, they believe he has abandoned them and the city and that betrayal is also a core plot element.

The story-telling in No Man's Land is absolutely outstanding. The first issue began with a priest trying to find a way into the city to distribute food. It swiftly shows the blockade that is in place stopping anyone entering or leaving. The priest eventually bribes a helicopter pilot to fly over the city and drop supplies in. The action then follows some of those supplies as they're fought over by the different gangs, until one of the major characters is encountered. It's a great example of 'show-don't-tell' that is present throughout the rest of the series.

No Man's Land isn't essential reading for Batman fans. Neither is Cataclysm. It's a series that develops the characters but there aren't any especially life-changing moments for them. It does develop the character of Cassandra Cain (the second Batgirl), who is amazing, and has lots of focus on Renee Montoya (who is also amazing). There's some great subplots with Catwoman which are probably some of the funniest scenes in the entire run. This isn't a funny series, however. Many of the stories are about the grim fight simply to survive, and the depths humanity can sink to when darker impulses are given free reign. The battles are all hard fought, with every bullet and punch counting but there is an inevitably to it all. Eventually, the food will run out. The ammo will run out. Medicine will run out. Hope will run out. Nothing Batman does can change any of that.

Of course, Gotham DID receive help in the end, from an unexpected quarter (but I won't say where, because it's a great twist). The series is one of the stronger Batman arcs through the 1990s, featuring all of the Bat-allies (even an appearance by Robin in Young Justice) and was clearly part of the inspiration for Batman: Arkham City. If you're after strong story-telling that really develops its characters, this is a series to look for.


Batman: No Man's Land vol. 1 – 9781401232283 – $45.00 – 544 pages

Batman: No Man's Land vol. 2 - 9781401233808 - 512 pages

Batman: No Man's Land vol. 3 - 9781401234560 - $65.00 - 480 pages

Batman: No Man's Land vol. 4 - 9781401235642 - $49.99 - 552 pages

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