While we get some nice interactions here between Chase and Batman, the perspective that this comic offers on Batman, both from within and without, are fascinating. First, we have the DEO investigating this entity that no one really knows much about. The reports that Chase files back to the home office about her conclusions about who, or what, Batman is show just how well he conceals from those not a part of his trusted circle the details of his mission and identity, even the ostensibly public one. It's easy sometimes to forget that we are offered a privileged view of these characters, and that most people living in the fictional universe are perhaps aware of their existence, but not necessarily of the particulars to which we're privy. That they're not even sure if he's one or more individuals speaks volumes of the secrecy within which he operates.
But we also get some reactions from Batman to Chase's use of firearms, and specifically this use around Batman, that verges on hysteria. This, to me, is a fantastic tribute to Mr. Johnson's grasp on the character - while we often see the Bat as grim and taciturn, he's reacting, in being Batman, to a foundational traumatic event, one intimately connected to firearms. It only tracks that he would react slightly over the top to the use of these weapons around him, especially from someone he is working with. Chase's reactions to this admonishment by Batman seem, to us who are aware of his trauma, to be quite callous. But then one recalls that Chase has no idea of his origin.
An easy way to play this series would have been to have the DEO, and Chase, investigate B- and C-listers, characters whose stories have little or no impact on the DCU, and thus the implications of Chase's adventures would not impact the accepted, fundamental structures (that is, the A-list characters) of the narrative universe. But having her investigate Batman sets the series up to offer its readers ramifications they might not have expected. As I noted yesterday, I'm sad that the series didn't get a chance to explore this more fully, but at least we have a taste.
I'm hoping to track down issue #9 before Saturday, but if I can't, I'll skip it and get to it when I find it. But more "Shadowing the Bat" tomorrow.
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