Written By: Tom King
Art By: Lee Weeks
Published By: DC Comics
Batman/Elmer Fudd #1 sounds like it shouldn’t work. Taking the super serious Dark Knight and having him go head to head with the silly and oftentimes dimwitted Elmer Fudd seems like a bad idea. Yet Writer Tom King and Artist Lee Weeks make it work.
The main plot is rather simple and unremarkable, as Batman and Elmer Fudd end up meeting and fighting. King manages to work wonders with character cameos, Elmer Fudd’s interactions, and his inner monologue.
The first few pages cement Fudd as a dangerous, yet simple person which feels like oddly spot on characterization. He is drawn with a heavy use of shadows and even his usually absurd looking hat works well.
This issue felt like I was reading an old detective tale or a pulpy-private eye story, with the added bonus of characters that I know and recognize. Furthermore, what makes this issue such a treat is that despite taking place in a serious environment, there is levity that exists simply because these characters aren’t normally portrayed as grim and gritty. Seeing a human version of Sylvester the cat spouting his catchphrase is oddly charming and this issue is full of such moments.
Also, while this book has Batman’s name on it, he really plays second fiddle to Fudd and the world he inhabits. In fact, the highlight of this issue and why it works so well is seeing Batman’s dark and grim world applied to these bright and vibrant characters.
Lee Weeks’ art works seamlessly with Kings script as he nails the dark, noir aesthetic, while also managing to draw distinct and visually striking characters. Bugs Bunny stands out as the best example of this as he is instantly recognizable and Weeks manages to capture the little cues that define Bugs.
Batman/Elmer Fudd #1 is a joy to read as Tom King manages to find a sweet spot between grit and goofiness, resulting is one of the most enjoyable crossovers I’ve ever read.
