ELSEWORLDS: BATMAN Vol Two (Moench/Jones, 1991-99)

As I wrote in my notes on GOTHAM KNIGHTS, I've always been more fascinated by alternate continuities than canonical ones – and specifically namechecked Moench & Jones's RED RAIN universe. Confession: while I've read RED RAIN numerous times (though my copy inexplicably vanished, probably in one of the many moves in the naughts) I hadn't read the two follow-ups, BLOODSTORM and CRIMSON MIST.

What a treat it was - thanks to this collected edition - then, to re-read RED RAIN and dive back into the macabre world Moench and Jones created (and ported, if not in bloodsucking then in spirit and vibe, into their run on the main BATMAN title, still my favorite run on that series - recently bough a new copy of the first issue of their run, 515 (mine had, like my TPB of RED RAIN, and issue 516, inexplicably vanished), with the new suit that was forgotten far too soon) and read BLOODSTORM and CRIMSON MIST for the first time: while BLOODSTORM is my least favorite of the trilogy (strange, given how truly terrifying Jones's Joker is, a Gwynplaine from Hell, the corrupting devil himself – I wonder how much of this, of Batman's descent into monstrous evil after succumbing to his bloodlust via The Joker, influenced the origin of The Batman Who Laughs), Moench's writing here is a perfect fit for the Hammer horror feel to it all and Jones has never been better, especially in CRIMSON MIST as Bats turns full monster, one of the most tragic vampires ever brought to death, the full weight of what he's become in eternal conflict with every value and foundation that makes the Batman the Batman.