Batman: The Long Halloween - The Last Halloween #0
Review
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Tim Sale
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: September 18, 2024
Page Count: 54
Format: Single-issue
This comic is a re-release of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s prelude for their The Last Halloween storyline. While brief, it recaptures the noir mood that made The Long Halloween a timeless classic, offering both nostalgia and intrigue for what's to come.
Batman: The Long Halloween - The Last Halloween #0
ReviewWriter: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Tim Sale
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: September 18, 2024
Page Count: 54
Format: Single-issue
This comic is a re-release of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s prelude for their The Last Halloween storyline. While brief, it recaptures the noir mood that made The Long Halloween a timeless classic, offering both nostalgia and intrigue for what's to come.
Jeph Loeb returns to Batman to finally complete his long-running story of The Long Halloween. With the upcoming miniseries, The Last Halloween, the narrative dives deeper into Batman’s fractured relationship with Two-Face and the city of Gotham. But before that, we are reintroduced to a prelude created by Loeb and artist Tim Sale years ago before Sale’s untimely passing. As a longtime fan of their work, I was eager to revisit this noir-tinged take on the Dark Knight. Does it recapture the magic of the original? Let’s find out in my review of Batman: The Long Halloween - The Last Halloween #0.
Overview of The Last Halloween #0
It’s Halloween season, and Julian Day—also known as Calendar Man—is once again loose in Gotham City. Batman sets out to stop him before he can wreak havoc on the spookiest night of the year. However, Day makes the mistake of targeting Gilda Dent, the wife of Two-Face. This gives Batman and Two-Face enough reason to join forces to bring down the villain. But does Two-Face have ulterior motives this time?
Image: DC Comics
Review
As a fan of The Long Halloween, returning to the story feels like a treat. Originally published in 2021, this issue continued the continuity of the original series, revealing Gilda Dent’s connection to the Holiday murders. Now re-released as a prelude to the upcoming Last Halloween series, it adds new layers to the long-running narrative. Even if you’ve read the original special from years ago, this issue does come with a great afterword by Jeph Loeb talking about the story behind the comic and what it means for the series going forward.
That said, Loeb delivers exactly what he’s known for in this comic—a tight, snappy script that gets to the heart of Batman’s character. The noir-styled narration and dialogue instantly transport you back to the mood of the original series. Thematically, The Last Halloween #0 continues the exploration of Batman’s compelling character and the fine line he must walk to do good. The uneasy alliance between Batman and Two-Face underscores the moral complexities within Gotham, where even its most steadfast heroes get shaken by making tough decisions. More than anything, The Last Halloween #0 makes for a good excuse to jump back into one of the best Batman comics of all time.
Image: DC ComicsThis issue also serves as a touching farewell to Tim Sale’s contributions to the series. His haunting, atmospheric visuals are as captivating as ever, perfectly complementing the noir mood of The Long Halloween. Sale’s distinctive style, with exaggerated features and heavy shadows, adds palpable tension to each panel. Even in scenes with bold and vibrant colors, Sale’s art style is so striking. There’s a strong sense of nostalgia revisiting Gotham through Sale’s iconic lens, which feels both familiar and freshly menacing.
However, the issue has its drawbacks. Since it was originally published as a special years ago, the pacing feels rushed, detracting from the methodical storytelling that made The Long Halloween such a classic. The subplot involving Robin and Batgirl, while not terrible, feels unnecessary and distracts from the main narrative. But with that said, these are minor issues that will likely be resolved when we finally get to delve deeper into The Last Halloween storyline. This issue still serves its purpose well as a prelude, leaving readers with intriguing questions about Two-Face’s true motives and hints at deeper conspiracies within Gotham.
Image: DC Comics
Final Thoughts
Batman: The Long Halloween - The Last Halloween #0 is a welcome return to one of the most beloved Batman comics ever made. While brief, it successfully recaptures the noir atmosphere and intrigue that made the original such an incredible comic. Loeb and Sale will always be a dream team in the Batman mythos, and this comic is a fantastic reminder of that. For fans of The Long Halloween, this issue is a must-read and sets the stage for an exciting continuation that’s finally coming after so many years.
Why You Should Read Batman: The Long Halloween - The Last Halloween #0
- Tim Sale's haunting artwork is on full display, capturing the noir mood perfectly with every shadow-drenched panel.
- Sets up intriguing plot threads for the upcoming Batman: The Last Halloween miniseries.
- Showcases Loeb's masterful character work, particularly in the nuanced portrayal of Two-Face and his tenuous alliance with Batman.