Legends of the Dark Knight #209
	Story Title: ‘Darker Than Death’ (Part Three) Writer: Bruce Jones Art & Cover: Ariel Olivetti Letterer: Phil Balsman Assoc. Editor: Michael Wright Editor: Joey Cavalieri Special Thanks: Mauro Casicoli Published by: DC Comics BATMAN created by Bob Kane
	Reviewed by: Bruce Logan

During my review of the previous issue, I had stated that although the story (writing) was good (something of a novelty from Bruce Jones) I wouldn’t want to see more of Mr. Jones on the Big-Bat or any of the little Bat-Boys or (as it is now) Bat-Lezzies. At that time I couldn’t specifically point out what as there here that caused me to make that comment, well apart from my (now) single minded detestation of the train-wreck that is Nightwing nowadays.

Well, now I do.

This story, although many times better than anything I’ve read from this writer, gives me a very strong feeling that if only the central character, instead of his pointy ears and cape was wearing a blue and black (capeless) costume and sported the name Grayson (instead of Wayne) in his alter ego), that this would have been a better match. Meaning, this should have been a Nightwing tale than a Batman one, or at the least, not one set in the present times. Not to say that he’s grown past it, but going into night clubs (or as in this issue, Tiki Clubs), getting this worked over by his current ‘dalliance’, it screams of Dick to me. Hell, this story, if used in Nightwing, would have made for a heck of an OYL arc…instead of that Loin cloth-Numbnuts-Octo Toad-Boob fest that is it. Not only that, it would have made for a great start in a new city. As it stands now, I'd much rather have Dick return to Gotham that stay on in New York. (And we all know that returning to Gotham is the last thing we want for him as an independent character.)

Anyways, returning to the tale at hand, taking up from where we left off in the last issue, we start by seeing the woman tied up isn’t dead or for that matter the missing one, (well, at least she wasn’t until a few hours ago). What follows next only confirms my belief in that Daddy-WarBats should have bumped this mystery (and for that matter, the manic-y chick) to L’il Dicky.

Back to the cave and to one of my favorites of any Bat-story, the banter with Alfred, though once again, the sheer weight of the emotions is a drag on me.

After that its onto…well, onto the butt-n’-boobs shots of this issue and although the bust size (and art) is satisfactory enough, it is in the behind that the whole ensemble comes together. Although a LotDK-zombie like me is going to get every issue regardless, I do suggest getting this arc…if only for the artwork, ‘cause if you think Ivan (Reis) rocks on the ‘realistic’ front, this guy (Ariel Olivetti) just hits it right out the stadium…all while (almost) reaching Alex Ross heights. And even more than his faces, its in the ‘mood’ that he excels, be it on the docks, the cave or for that matter Tiki Rivera’s Tiki-club.

As for the ending, although it struck me slightly odd (at first), its nice touch using actual photos for…well, for photos, and even more so when seen in light of who the character is modeled on. (Just see the cover, you’ll know it).

One last point, even though there are two more parts (issues) of this story left, I can’t help but muse that maybe it should have ended with the next issue…a little bit of decompression is starting to set in. Then again, having to sit through one more issue of Bruce Jones (here) means, one more issue of Olivetti’s artwork. And I think that is more than a fair deal.

Conclusion: And for anyone pointing out Bats’ going into a fetish-BDSM club in ‘Tec #822, that wasn’t as ‘T&A in your face’ as the ones here. It was much more…in the background.

Rating: 8.5/10