When the time came for an updated look, Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams transformed Batman into a DC icon after a stint of campy outings. Later on, Bruce Timm and Paul Dini’s iconic Batman: The Animated Series became its spiritual successor, with the adventures of the hero continuing in the pages of comic books long after the series ended. Series writer Alan Burnett, as well as Dini, return for the third season of Batman: The Adventures Continue, telling stories that honor the spirit of the animated series and legends like the late Kevin Conroy. With artwork from Kevin Altieri and Monica Kubina and letters from Josh Reed, Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Three #2 brings back Batman and Harley Quinn’s dynamic friendship.
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Three #2 opens on a down-in-the-dumps Harley Quinn. She reaches out to friends, none of whom have time for her. So, she jumps at the chance to meet up with an old girlfriend from college, the socialite Cassie Kendall. Calamity strikes when a group of mercenaries kidnaps Cassie and demands a hefty ransom that would practically bankrupt her. Batman follows the breadcrumbs of clues that lead him to Two-Face. To his dismay, Harley Quinn is also trying to save an old flame and has a jump on Dent to force answers out of him. With time running out, the two form an uneasy alliance.
What made B:TAS so relatable were the struggles of not only its protagonist but also its huge cast of characters, from the common Gothamite to the hardened criminals. While “Harley’s Holiday” was a beautiful episode that demonstrated her plight, Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Three #2 helps the character realize her own worth. Surprisingly, Burnett and Dini manage to give time to both Batman and Harley and yet, let the latter take the reins of the narrative. Batman serves as the other end of the same spectrum, the straight man of this accidental comedy duo. The actions are loud, with plenty of explosions. That does not stop the underlying emotions from bubbling up on the surface, adding a beating soul to the whole affair. Josh Reed works with fonts incredibly well. His letters are cartoonish and bold, which gives the panels an energetic vibe.
Original series director Kevin Altieri is no stranger to the drawing board, having already co-illustrated a segment in The Batman Adventures Holiday Special back in 1994. Even after all these years, his pencil skills are still on point, emulating the wavy contours of Timm’s trademark style. Where it deviates is in the inking, which is much more detailed. It almost gives the book a dirty noir look, akin to Burton’s Batman movies, with the colors from Monica Kubina proving the case in point. The brazen color choices brightly light up every corner of the panel and cleanly capture every moment.
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Three #2 follows the recent trend of Batman-Harley partnerships and still keeps things fresh by not focusing on their dynamic for too long but instead lets the story play out through Harley’s proactive attitude as Batman provides support.
In a way, this is a showcase of their friendship. They are the only two people who understand the corrosiveness of being alone, and in that respect, they are kindred spirits. In spite of everything, Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Three #2 is a mystery thriller through and through, and the twist and turns are just part of the fun ride through failed romances and unrequited love.
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