Living outside of the mainstream DC continuity (if there is such a thing), Batman Confidential provides classic Bruce Wayne stories.  There is no battling for cowls, no Robin troubles, and no Final Crisis fallout – just good old fashioned Batman.  Beginning a brand-new story arc titled “The Bat and the Beast,” writer Peter Milligan sets up an interesting case for the Caped Crusader.

The Russian mafia has its organized crime eyes set on Gotham.  In their back pocket is a nasty creature whose mysterious back-story we get only glimpses of in this issue.  Peter Milligan delivers a good opening chapter.   I especially enjoyed the banter between Batman and Commissioner Gordon.

 Andy Clarke’s art is beautiful.  Terse, thin lines show forth a depth of detail from action sequences to still frames.  Down to the hair on knuckles, his attention to smaller nuances is spectacular.

Batman Confidential is a refreshing read for those of us just waiting for Bruce Wayne to return.  Until then, we can enjoy these tales of a simpler time in Gotham City, when Batman was Batman and Robins knew their place in the world.

 3.5 out of 5

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