Batman: The Hill

Batman Post-Crisis #92

by Christopher J. Priest

Following an incident on the Hill, a predominantly black area of Gotham, James Gordon is heavily criticised by the press for his inability to maintain law and order there. Batman also finds it difficult to have any effect there, as the people (particularly Korlee, the prime mover and shaker in the Hill's criminal world) do not believe that he exists in any meaningful way. Working separately, they are able to bring Korlee down, but cannot help but feel as though they have failed the Hill.

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Batman, Graphic Novels

48 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2000

About the author

Formerly (before 1993) known as James or Jim Owsley.

Christopher James Priest is a critically acclaimed novelist and comic book writer. Priest is the first African-American writer and editor for Marvel and DC Comics. His groundbreaking Black Panther series was lauded by Entertainment Weekly and The Village Voice and will serve as the basis for the 2018 Marvel Cinematic Universe adaption.

Besides Black Panther, Priest has written comics for Conan, Steel, Green Lantern, The Crew and edited The Amazing Spider-Man. He also co-created Quantum & Woody along with Mark Bright and co-founded Milestone Media.

After a decade long hiatus he is currently writing comic books again and recently concluded a stint writing the comic book Deathstroke (2016-2019).

In addition to being a writer, Christopher J. Priest is also a baptist minister.

Reviews

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Still Relevant Batman

For a guy who doesn't like to be typecast as the writer for Black's, Priest sure doesn't shy away from the issues. But more importantly he doesn't shove down people's throats about what put them there. Instead he focuses on the issues people don't pick up. Like say reservation like conditions that allow crime lords to prosper. Not to mention Batman and Gordon stay in character to pull off a really impressive sting. All the while Batman putting his faith in someone who hasn't yet crossed the line. Man what happened to one-shots like this?

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

How did I miss this? Oh, right, that year.
So, this is sort of The Wire in Gotham City, well written and wonderfully drawn. Right after this appeared, Martinbrough drew a great run of Detective Comics with writer Greg Rucka. Here, though, we see some great moments, a fine Batman for the times, early on in Martinbrough's take on the character.
I'd like to see this writer and artist team again.
Recommended.

[Devin Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't tell if the art looks bold or dated/cheap. Maybe it doesn't need to be either/or. There are some strong compositional/posing choices, if nothing else.

The story obviously has some good ideas, but something about them isn't quite coming together for me. Even just moment to moment, I feel like there's connective tissue missing.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Batman goes after a crime lord who had been untouchable. Typical Batman story, where he can solve things that the police can't. An ok read.

[Why-I-Love-Comics · Rating 4 out of 5]

good story but at time Priest's dialog feels a little choppy