Batman Special page 13 by Michael Golden

I am overjoyed to be able to add another Batman Special page by Michael Golden to my collection.

This to me, is the top of the prime Golden pyramid in terms of quality with his Dr Strange work and Avengers Annual 10.

This is mostly a Wrath (the 80s anti-Batman) page but what a page.

You get typical (of that era) Golden facial work in four of the six panels. On that aspect, I find that panels 5 & 6 are particularly strong.

Then his interest for guns also shines of what we get to see of the Wraith’s in panel 5.

The settings only happen in a well-drawn panel 4 but it nicely convey where we are for the whole page. I love the street light and architecture. From this panel you get a sense that you are in the city street at night, way past midnight.

In terms of layout, note how Golden subtly varied full closed borders on some panels and open ones on others to keep the reader’s eye flowing.

The same can be said on the various “camera angles” he used.

He is a natural gifted storyteller and uses many storytelling “devices” to keep the reader’s interest up and that gives a nice visual rhythm on the page.

Mike DeCarlo was credited as an inker for this story but many pitched in uncredited, including Golden himself, with sometime multiple inkers on the same page. I think I see some Golden on Golden here but maybe Gary Martin can shed some light on this one as well?

This is part 5 of my 2019 CAF b-day party. Hope you like it so far as we have reached the first half.