Bruce Wayne: Murderer? by Various Authors (an Oxford College Student Review!)

In this column, I feature comic book reviews written by my students at Oxford College of Emory University. Oxford College is a small liberal arts school just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. I challenge students to read and interpret comics because I believe sequential art and visual literacy are essential parts of education at any level (see my Manifesto!). I post the best of my students’ reviews in this column. Today, I am proud to present a review by Lixin (Lareina) Yan:

Lixin (Lareina) Yan is a first-year student at Oxford College and is considering majoring in Visual Arts and Psychology. Her home is Beijing, China, where she enjoys exploring neighborhood culinary gems and walking through historical landscapes. Lareina’s favorite writers include Brene Brown and Charlotte Brontë. Her other interests include painting, piano, and cycling.

Bruce Wayne: Murderer? by Various Authors

Bruce Wayne: Murderer? is a pivotal storyline in the Batman comic book series, a collaborative effort among a talented group of writers including Ed Brubaker, Chuck Dixon, Greg Rucka, Devin Grayson, and Kelley Puckett. These writers collectively orchestrate a complex narrative that challenges the Dark Knight and his allies on a deeply personal level.

Bruce Wayne: Murderer? begins with a shocking premise: Bruce Wayne is framed for the murder of his girlfriend, Vesper Fairchild. This storyline spans several comic book series, including Detective Comics, Batman, Birds of Prey, Batgirl, and Nightwing, weaving a complex narrative that puts the Dark Knight through his paces. Unlike typical superhero narratives that focus primarily on physical confrontations with villains, this arc delves into the psychological and emotional turmoil of being accused of a heinous crime. The narrative thrust of Bruce Wayne: Murderer? bring to mind the gritty realism and moral complexities found in Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One or the psychological depth and detective work highlighted in The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. However, the authors’ storytelling is unique in its focus on the personal downfall and societal judgment of Bruce Wayne, rather than Batman’s usual confrontations with supervillains. This storyline asks profound questions about identity, trust, and justice, challenging both Bruce Wayne and his alter-ego in ways few other stories have.

Comparatively, in the broader scope of media, Bruce Wayne: Murderer? could be likened to the intricate character studies and moral ambiguities found in television series like True Detective or the film Gone Girl where the lines between innocence and guilt, hero and villain, are blurred. Like these examples, the authors’ narrative forces readers to confront their assumptions about Bruce Wayne and Batman, making it a standout storyline in the Batman saga.

The most prominent figure in the story is obviously none other than the “notorious” Batman and the real person behind this super-hero figure — the billionaire and a household name of Gotham City, Bruce Wayne. He attends to social outings and business commitments during the day and suits up and fights all the crime he could reach at night. In this specific comic, the authors have a sharp focus on his past childhood trauma, namely the brutal murder of his parents. This experience is mentioned in the book multiple times, both in the narration itself and by various characters and scenarios. The book also sheds light on the tension between the two sides of Batman’s double life, linking Bruce Wayne’s urge to practice justice to his early experience of trauma.

Additionally, the dynamics between Wayne and his allies were also a crucial part of the storyline. Among them, Oracle was the brain of the operation who gave her best to investigate the murder accusation placed upon Wayne throughout the book. She looked into potentially meaningful intel and ruled out possible suspects. Alfred, as Wayne’s Butler, also remained on his side after the murder incident. He helped maintain Wayne’s manor while he was kept in prison and helped him to maintain his operations as Batman even when he was a wanted man himself. Robin, who looks up to Wayne as a father figure, had the most trouble with giving his full trust to Wayne as others were trying to help Wayne clear his name. He has seen Wayne’s excessive desire for control and suspected he might have had a break of character after years of emotional isolation and suppression.

The most significant theme of the comic is psychological — Bruce Wayne’s childhood trauma, his double life, and his relationship with his group of allies. The readers would likely catch a gradual process of Wayne distancing himself from his façade as the accomplished and kind billionaire “Bruce Wayne,” and drift toward his “mission” of someone who upholds justice and fights against the evil with physical interventions when it turns dark outside. There is a duality between trauma and emotional isolation. In this sense, Bruce Wayne is a typical male figure who learned to enclose his feelings and never act vulnerable around others, even with those who are the most trusting and supportive. Falsely accused of murder, a once-in-a-lifetime crisis in which most people would need all the assistance available, Bruce Wayne decides to push every loved one away and try to bury the problem on his own. There is indeed fear in his heart, but he tries to suppress every drop of it behind his mask.

The art in this comic fits closely with the nature and plot of the story. The color scheme used by the artists shifts dramatically between different scenes to accurately portray the sentiment and feelings needed for the environment and actions. The backgrounds in each scene are all crafted in detail with realistic lighting and shadows. For example, when Batman fights a large crowd of zombies in an underground environment, the lines of illustration become fuzzy and the shades of yellow in the background reflect the color tone of underground lighting. Each main character is also given unique illustrative characteristics to help readers easily follow the development and progression of the story. For instance, Bruce Wayne’s eyes and cheeks are hollowed out with shadows during trial and in jail, which dynamically reflects his internal struggles. This style of portrait is in stark contrast with his facial features at the beginning of the book. Moreover, the texture of the graphics is also delicately varied to reflect the mood and dynamics at different points of the book. All in all, the art is extremely vibrant with extraordinary sophistication.

The Bruce Wayne: Murderer? storyline is a tour de force in the Batman canon, standing out for its deep psychological exploration of its protagonist. The authors expertly navigate the intricate narrative, crafting a tale that delves into the darkest corners of Bruce Wayne’s psyche. The way this storyline weaves Bruce Wayne’s childhood trauma, his struggle with his dual identity, and the complexity of his relationships with his closest allies, results in a multifaceted tale that is as much a character study as it is a crime and detective story. Reflecting on the psychological acumen, narrative complexity, and artistic vibrancy, Bruce Wayne: Murderer? is a compelling read that will be appreciated both by longtime fans of the Dark Knight and by newcomers intrigued by the lore of Gotham City. It is a standout storyline that affirms the enduring appeal and relevance of Batman in the realm of modern mythology.

With its sophisticated plot, profound themes, and stunning art, this comic book series deserves a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars. It is an exemplar of what superhero comics can achieve, transcending action-packed escapades to offer commentary on the human condition through the lens of a beloved cultural icon.