Both Marvel and DC Comics have made it a point to publish more solo comic books that aren’t just about the stars. Number one issues from characters like Psylocke and Black Lightning were just released and were both good beginnings. Another new release comes in the form of a popular Batman villain, Two-Face.
Harvey Dent hasn’t sniffed a solo title since Two-Face: Year One in 2008. The closest since then was Task Force Z (written by Matthew Rosenberg) and that was mostly a Red Hood title. Nevertheless, DC Comics is putting effort into making readers interested in more than just their big three (Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman) and a few others. Thankfully, Two-Face No. 1 is a step in the right direction.
“Despite what they might think. We are not monsters. We are businesspeople. And to be successful in business, there must be governance.” -Harvey Dent
Two-Face is about two things. First, the criminal court system, the White Church. The White Church is where villains go to seek justice that the legal court system won’t acknowledge because the people involved break the law. For example, in the first case we see, Victor Zsasz is accused of killing a member of the Falcone family that’s off-limits.
The White Church will be an interesting part of the story. Readers will see what the underground gets into and if they can keep it together and make this work. As Harvey pointed out, it has to. Destroying each other leads to the destruction of Gotham City and that’s bad for business. Too bad there’s no way this continues to work. There are too many volatile people involved. Nevertheless, this writer hopes he’s wrong. It’s an intriguing storyline without limits.
“You’re not the district attorney anymore. We’re Two-Face.” -Two-Face
The second part is the internal conflict between Harvey and Two-Face. Apparently, Harvey was faking his evil side at the White Church. During Harvey's conversation with...himself, he says the state’s attorney’s office will want him back after they see what he’s done with the White Church. Two-Face thinks Harvey is insane to believe that because he’s done too much as a criminal (he’s right).
Their conversation ends with something we should look forward to. Evil Harvey says he’ll eventually get out and control their body entirely. Frankly, this writer believes it will happen and can’t wait to see it. As much as the duality of their personalities is fun, the carnage that "Big Bad Harve" will bring without his heroic side could be the better story.
Beyond that, one of the things I love about this series is it isn’t a Black Label title. Since it's in the main DC Comics continuity, the stakes are real. Whatever happens with the friction inside Harvey’s body and at the White Church will directly affect Batman and Gotham City’s future.
Speaking of The Dark Knight, this title is so good he didn’t need to be seen or mentioned for it to be entertaining. Harvey Dent is a Batman-centric character and he wasn’t needed to promote the issue or be a part of this story. Stay tuned to Caped Crusades to see if that remains true.
Have you read the first issue of Two-Face? What did you think? Let us know on the Bam Smack Pow Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter.