Batman: Gotham Knights #7 Page 5

15" x 10" image area. Ink over graphite on Bristol board. Batman: Gotham Knights #7 Page 5 original art (DC 2000). John Buscema.

Being that this story is one of Batman remaining mostly hidden as he hunts each of the thugs, removing them from the equation one at a time, there are only three pages that show a full shot of Batman. Two of the pages feature him in an imposing position of total superiority head to toe and this is one of those two pages. The way Buscema depicts Batman is truly impressive, unlike Batman has ever been shown before. There's this scary dominating presence of total over-whelming power, like a body-builder just before a 'roid rage. Then again, the strategy and intelligence of the Buscema Batman shows him as a cunning, dangerous Tiger on the hunt at night. Thanks for giving us an taste of your Batman, John. It only leaves us wishing for oh, so much more...

This Black and White 8 page story, crafted solely by the pencil and pen of one of the great masters of comic art, John Buscema, was his first work for DC after retiring from a long career with Marvel. It was also his one and only Batman work. Two years had barely gone by when John would develop stomach cancer and die at the age of 72.