By request, Doug Moench's second Two-Face story, w/ Klaus Janson art!

[about_faces]

I've decided to create about_faces.dreamwidth.com as a back-up. I'm not planning on fleeing LJ anytime soon, and even if I eventually do, I'm not sure I'd want to set up shop at Dreamwidth. Having something of my own site would be ideal (ala similar fan sites such as the Aquaman Shrine), but who knows how many people would find it? Hopefully, y'all

Comments

[ext_262094]

I say that is very good story you have here, but i don't like the part where Two-Face tries to kill his own men that work for him. Sure he maybe insane but killing the only help against the Dark Knight is not right.

[thehefner]

Well, in fairness, the first part did establish that these particular men were planning on betraying him eventually. They weren't loyal by any means. Maybe it's less about Harvey being unstable and more just not being stupid.

[prof_pig]

About a year and a half ago I wrote out a script for a fan-comic I wanted to do for Harvey, one that would explain his jump from vigilante to crime boss. It basically started with Harvey trying to take out the Penguin, getting in a huge firefight with his gang, and whilst trying to escape accidentally shoots an innocent bystander. The whole story was about about Harvey desperately trying to save this woman's life by getting her to medical attention, all the while his "Bad Side" telling him to dump her and having Batman, the cops, and virtually every villain in early-day Gotham hunting him down. In the end, the coin says to dump the girl and Harvey makes the deal with his bad side that if he lets him save this woman he will give prodominant control over to Big Bad Harv. So in the end, Two Face becomes the prodominant personality(not to say Harvey isn't still there, but that's why when anyone trys to talk to Harvey in the comics it's generally "Big Bad" who's speaking and gets his way). He then becomes a gang lord because with EVERYONE

[about_faces]

Ooooh, me likey! I'd like to actually see how that plays out as a story!:)

[ext_262094]

Same Here ;)

[surrealname]

I am INLOVE with the way Jansen draws Two-face. it's so blocky and strange and visceral. I'm really digging on that. those chunky inks and that block coloring. OH. OH. OH. Oh I want to fuck this art. I want to have seedy, regettable, unscrupulous sex with this art. I wanna take it out for a crappy excuse for a date, get it drunk on cheap schnapps, and then bang it in the front seat of a plymouth behind a kentucky fried chicken. I would not call it the next day.

There's things i like and don't like going on with this Harvey. I like that he seems legit crazy and dangerous, which... well, considering how most of the bat's villains are supposed to be completely nanners, very few of them actually act like they are. If nothing else, I like the way that this Two-Face seems to have no control over his actions.

[lego_joker]

I think that Janson's art is especially fitting for this arc mainly for two reasons:

1.) It's a pretty damn good indicator of just how worn-out Bruce is - everything he sees looks like a surreal, rough nightmare. Guy's mind and body are falling apart, and the Gotham he sees reflects that.

2.) The Continuity Cop in me is yelling that most of this story is a flashback from BRUCE's perspective, not Tim and Alfred's. In that case, it's a definite shot that Bruce's pain-addled mind has muddled some details, and in reality, this escapade probably took place BEFORE he went after Joker and Scarecrow. If that's the case, then Janson's art certainly conveys that it's sort of a "soft continuity".

[thehefner]

Somehow, I knew you'd love this art. As I said, I run really hot and cold on Janson's work, but he's really firing on all cylinders here.

Yeah, if there's anything truly positive to be said about this Two-Face, it's that he actually seems legitimately crazy in a rather frightening way. Therefore, I suppose you're right, he really doesn't seem to have any control over his actions, does he? Once he's no longer a threat, he's rather pitiable, if not as sympathetic as he could/should be.

[surrealname]

Honestly, looking at this i am finally seeing a style i should have been going for. I have better luck when for panel to panel comics work when i go sort of blocky like this.

[anonymous]

I don't mean to totally "necro" this post, but the whole courtroom scene is specifically why I hate Two-Face speaking in the plural and the way it was handled there is one of the worst examples. I do like the idea of Two-Face putting on a fake trial, I think it appeals to his want and need for some kind of justice to be meted out, but in a way free from the corrupt courts of Gotham. What I don't like is when he's written like a raving lunatic constantly spitting out legal jargon. He might as well be call the Antipodal Attorney at that point!

[about_faces]

I can understand why you'd hate him speaking in plural, and stories like this certainly don't make a good case for them, but I have a fondness for it because it directly plays up the idea that Harvey is a man split between two extremes which now exist simultaneously. This was put to great (and personally meaningful) use in Eye of the Beholder, which this very story is clearly trying to build upon, albeit with very limited success. "Antipodal attorney" indeed! Well put, I shall have to remember that!

[anonymous]

Glad you like it! It was the product of many minutes spent looking at Thesaurus.com!

I can see why speaking in the plural works and I do think it's pretty great in EotB (which I have come to really like due to your review!), but it just doesn't work for me most of the time. I guess it all comes down to personal preference.

Man I've been posting here so much lately I should just make an account already! Maybe in keeping with the spirit of the place I'll flip for it.

[about_faces]

Get an account! Do it! Do it now! /insertyourownArnoldaccent