Villian Spotlight: Arkham Asylum: Madness by Kieth, Madsen & Stewart

PUBLISHER:
DC Comics
SOURCE:
Library Book

Arkham Asylum is in itself a character in the Batman Mythology. It is the end of the road for Batman’s Rogues who dance with madness. This book is a showcase for Sam Kieth, Michelle Madsen and Dave Stewart. From the opening pages the art takes a grip on your senses. Batman doesn't appear in this story physically, but it is apparent he is on the thoughts of many of the inmates.

So taking out the potential for an epic superhero battle the creators focus on the day to day life in the Asylum. The focus turns to characters like Sabine who needs her job to keep her struggling family together. One day a small stream of blood begins to fall from a clock high upon the wall and as the day passes the tension in the Asylum build and builds seeking an outlet to explode.
The art in this story is stellar! You can spend minutes just looking at every detail. Kieth and company have created one of the most creepy versions of the Joker I’ve seen in some time. There is also an intriguing look at Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.
It’s also not clear who is truly more trapped the doctors or the patients. A dark intriguing story by a great creative team.