Written by Tom King
Illustrated by Lee Weeks
Published by DC Comics
This has been a treat. Tom King and Lee Weeks are just an awesome team together.
This storyline, “Cold Days,” may be the best Mr. Freeze story of all time. The story and art work so well together, that I was just amazed. This is some really great work that I think will turn out to be a classic.
Mr. Freeze is on trial and Bruce Wayne is one of the jurors. Simple premise, right?
But it’s about so much more. Tom King shows us a aspect of Bruce Wayne that we have not seen before.
The reason for that is he has taken everything that we know about Bruce up until now, and he has deepened the character.
You won’t even believe it. He’s so skilled as a writer that you realize in this issue, that he’s been doing it his entire run. The best part is that he’s been making it look effortless.
The opening sequence has Bruce sitting around with a bunch of jurors at a table. Missy, another juror, and Bruce talk about their beliefs and if they believe in God. It’s a theme that has been reappearing in King’s run. Here it is used to great effect, especially when Bruce admits that he used to.
Then Bruce talks about what he replaced God with in his life (without admitting he is Batman). We see the classic origin story but in a new light thanks to King and it makes total and complete sense. He talks about how he found Batman instead of God.
He then relates Batman to the case in front of everyone. He tells them why he thinks Batman is necessary. And how Batman is not God and that he should never be treated as such. He shows why Mr. Freeze shouldn’t be condemned. And man, is it powerful.
The art backs up the power of the story. Lee Weeks has done his best work here, bar none. I can’t believe that King’s already amazing run is getting better. This issue and storyline shows the power of what comic books are capable of.
RATING: A
