Miller’s New Tale is Anything But Batman

Batman can do anything. He drives an awesome car, can send the biggest guys crying home to their mommies and has an entire town fooled on who he really is (do Bruce Wayne and Batman’s voices have no similarities?). The protector of Gotham City, a city he’s saved countless times, should have no problem defending against a terrorist, right?

That’s what Frank Miller (Sin City, 300) thought when he began development on Holy Terror back in 2006. Taking its title from the famous catchphrase “Holy ____, Batman!” this graphic novel was described as Batman versus Al-Qaeda. People salivated at the thought of the Caped Crusader taking down Osama Bin Laden, saving the world from evil yet again. Everyone but DC that is. DC Comics seemed to not love the idea of Batman being a part of what Miller said was “a piece of propaganda” and is “bound to offend just about everybody.” In 2010, Miller announced that neither Batman nor DC would be involved in the Holy Terror project, and introduced us to The Fixer.

We quickly learn though that The Fixer is no Batman. The Fixer is a no nonsense, killing bad ass. He’s not leaving criminals on Commissioner Gordon’s doorstep; he’s leaving their lifeless bodies in pools of their own blood. With that said, our story starts with The Fixer chasing a burglar (who looks strikingly a lot like Cat Woman) through Empire City. Suddenly, there is a huge blast and nails plummet down from the sky. Yes, you read that correctly, nails. As it rains Home Depot on the city, The Fixer and his foe-turned sidekick race to get to the heart of the issue before more damage can be done.

It is no shock that “Holy Terror” is visual amazing. Miller’s signature gritty style is something that is unmatchable. The art is made up mostly of black and white, with the occasional pink, green and red. You’ll find yourself starring at the page, but not reading the words. That is because you don’t really need to. The story is in the art as much as it is in the written word. It received some negative reviews, some saying that it is anti-Islamic and others saying it is downright irresponsible. Regardless of your political or moral stand point, Holy Terror is worth checking out. If you’re a lover of something outside of the box and an appreciator of Millers past works, Holy Terror should make its way to your bookshelf.