Batman Confidential #33 - DC

I have to say . . for as much as Batman seems out of his element on this story-line . . it's growing on me every issue. First of all . . we have that awesome cover by Jock. And Andy Clarke's art on the interiors is equally as impressive. A different style. But very crisp and clean. Then we have Peter Milligan crafting this intriguing story. I know that the Batman has decided to come to Russia to try to ebb the Tsar's influence into the Gotham Underworld . . that and the rumors of the nuclear bomb, but . . he has other 'identities', and costumes. My only flaw with the whole thing is that he thought he could come here and intimidate the criminals the same way he did in Gotham. That's been his learning curve through this whole process . . how to make them more scared of him, than they are of the horrors they face everyday from their own countrymen. Specifically, the Tsar and the Bear. Watching Batman flounder and adapt is interesting. It provides an angle that makes it different from other Batman stories. But . . if he'd just assumed a different identity . . things might've gone differently. However, on the other hand . . that 'angle' may be why the story remains interesting. Anyways, Batman isn't making much headway on the crime-bosses, and absolutely no footing with the Tsar, but . . he is shaking things up a bit as he's causing a decrease in their earnings. Even if the bosses aren't scared of him, the buyers and the residents, I think, are on edge because of the shift in climate that they can sense around them. There's a crime-war that's being played out in front of them, and they don't really know who's worse . . the Batman, or the Tsar. Meanwhile, Batman seems to have befriended this guy who lives in the sewers and tunnels under Moscow. He seems to be fairly intelligent. He has a level head . . kind of. But he's afraid to come out. "You're better off down here. Moscow . . it isn't safe. Moscow is a jungle." I think he'll provide Batman with some information, as he seems to know a lot about the city. Plus, I'm guessing, but he's not afraid of the Bear . . I'm assuming that they have some type of relationship. That may prove beneficial to the Batman. And again I'm guessing, but . . I think this may be the Tsar's son . . or the Police Chief's. I'm not sure which. Also, I think the Police Chief is starting to come around to the Batman's way of thinking. He's been a pawn of the Tsar for a long time. But I think he's starting to sense that things don't necessarily have to be that way. Plus, I think, he's seeing a glimmer of the man he used to be. A man he used to be proud of. But that may all be moot as it appears that the Tsar's next course of action is to go after the Police Chief's family. Anyways, overall I thought it was a good book. Obviously, from how long this posting is, it got a lot of thoughts and ideas running around in my head. I would think that's the greatest compliment a story could get . . to inspire ideas and reflection in the reader. There's 2 issues next month, to wrap up this story-line . . and then we begin a new story-arc. But it appears that we're staying with this European theme as Batman next goes to Poland.