DC's new Batman crossover event, "Bad Seeds - Sunset," has launched with its first issue, aiming to offer a cohesive entry point into a larger narrative. The opening chapter, "Batman: Bad Seeds - Sunset #1," features a collaborative script by Matt Fraction and G. Willow Wilson, writers known for their work on "Batman" and "Poison Ivy," respectively. The story naturally progresses from the events of Wilson's "Poison Ivy" series, focusing on Pamela Isley's tenure as Gotham's mayor, which culminates in an armed insurrection led by Commissioner Vandal Savage.
Facing this threat, Isley activates a contingency plan that involves transforming Gotham into a primal jungle, setting the stage for conflict with the extended Bat-family. The issue successfully introduces the event's broad scope and high stakes, managing the large cast of characters and their roles efficiently without becoming bogged down. Despite this adept juggling of ensemble players, the issue does not strongly compellingly readers to follow the numerous tie-in books, as characters largely seem to fulfill their typical roles in such large-scale crossovers.
The narrative prioritizes the core threads involving Poison Ivy and Batman. The scenes with Ivy explore her struggle against circumstance and her efforts to outmaneuver her adversaries. Batman's portrayal taps into the compassionate elements of his character, reminiscent of "Batman: The Animated Series," showcasing his deep empathy for both enemies and those he protects. The unified artistic direction by Giuseppe Camuncoli, who provided the layouts, and Cliff Rathburn, who handled the finished artwork, helps maintain cohesion. While Rathburn's finishes smooth over some of Camuncoli's signature angularity, the artwork remains clean and dynamic, serving as an accessible gateway to the larger story.
The crossover event aims to build upon the strengths of Fraction's "Batman" and Wilson's "Poison Ivy" ongoing series, though nearly all Batman-related titles are slated to tie into the event. "Bad Seeds - Sunset #1" works to establish its premise and characters, offering a clear sense of the narrative's direction and the challenges ahead for Gotham's heroes and villains alike.