Batman: Gotham Knights #7 Page 2

15" x 10" image area. Ink over graphite on Bristol board. Batman: Gotham Knights #7 Page 2 original art (DC 2000). John Buscema.

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.

When I realized all 8 pages were being offered in a staggered format over numerous weeks, I had this maniac idea I should attempt to keep the story intact and slug it out for the 8 pages. I doubted the sanity of it all but I think time will prove it was a wise decision. At least it was not a long story!

This was the page that first grabbed my attention and it was one of the first pages offered. I think this is the best page of the 8. It's the only full image of Batman in the story that has no part cropped out of a frame. Furthermore, it is an epic pose, not only with the full-frontal kick-ass stance, but the billowed cape and perspective with him up above in a superior position, just conveys that "Holy Crap, it's Batman!!" emotion. Can Batman survive an attack with a bazooka?