Two-Face is the amazing first solo series for the long time Batman villain of the same name. In the first issue, Harvey's been back in a lawyer role in his underground courtroom, "The White Church." In this issue, Harvey serves the defense in a piping hot infidelity case! However, with the introduction of inculpatory evidence, the former D.A find a way to exonerate his client during a nerve wracking recess! Cross examination below!

Deadly Divorce

Christian Ward sets issue #2 around a potential divorce of the leaders of the current Royal Flush Gang. As a reminder, King Rex and Queen Reina Quintain are products of Tini Howard's reinvention of the organization in Punchline: The Gotham Game. Typically, the horny duo are inseparable, but allegations of the King cheating appear to ruin the lovers' dynamic. Unlike most domestic relations cases, the plaintiff plans to kill the defendant if proven guilty! After the introduction of photographic evidence, Harvey pauses the trial until it can be verified. Strangely enough, The White Church operates like a speakeasy, designating lookouts to watch out for Batman during the recess.

Meanwhile, Harvey deploys his new hearing impaired assistant, Lake, to the scene of the crime. Namely, the main continuity version of the Pink Palace cabaret club from Batman: City Of Madness. While we don't get much information about her, readers get an idea of Lake's unique capabilities. Creatively, letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou depicts her useful lip reading as a brilliant text cipher. Alternatively, Fábio Veras and Ivan Plascencia's vision for the Pink Palace closely resembles the stylistic distortion used in the intro and club scenes in the Batman Beyond (1999) animated series. Before Lake discovers the truth about King's secret paramour, Ace randomly barges into the White Church to save the King.

Trial Separation

How do you rehabilitate a murderer, thief, and criminal like Two-Face? Luckily, despite his role in the underworld, Harvey is largely in control and his White Church is doing some good. Although several things seem to be going wrong in his journey of soft redemption. Consequently, Harvey develops a superstition that a "shadow hand" is purposefully undermining his efforts. Case in point, the suspicious behavior of Queen's lawyer Dr. Borre stirs up Harvey's instinct for conspiracy. In particular, Borre's strange Southern Kentucky Fried Colonel routine is a flawed, but clear facade. Nonetheless, while Harvey's obsession is completely right, everything about the "shadow hand" suspiciously feels like potential self-sabotage.

Coincidentally, Harvey has been "pretending" to be Two-Face. At the same time, within Harvey's elaborate pyramid-like mind palace, Two-Face finds his violent personality caged among dark thoughts and repressed memories. Among the manifestations, the trauma of Sal Maroni taunts him on opposite side of a chess board. In many ways, Maroni represents Harvey's last straw and violent trigger. Case in point, as Two-Face reluctantly attacks him, so too does Harvey attack Ace in the courtroom in stunning parallel panels. In fact, Harvey even utilizes the exact same brand of acid to defend himself. It almost indicates that everyone Harvey hurts needs to be "Maroni" in some way. In spite of their temporary alignment, Two-Face remains locked away in Harvey's mind, adamant of his inevitable escape.

Recommended If...

• You liked the first issue.
• You're a big fan of private detective/crime stories.
• Two-Face is your favorite Batman villain.

Overall

Two-Face is an exciting new noir that isn't afraid to be dark or campy as well. In this issue, Christian Ward seemingly embraces the theme of splits, dividing Harvey and Two-Face, Jaina Hudson and White Rabbit, and the King and Queen. Two-Face and Harvey have never felt more distinct or bold. For instance, Two-Face shows up in fiery Freddy Kruger-like images, haunting Harvey's mind prison. On a negative note, when Batman shows up, the silliness of the court premise seems childish and unnecessary. I'm falling in love with the combination of Veras' illustration and the colorful palette. I'm not going to say much about the "Shadow Hand" reveals, but I'm looking forward to where this concept and Two-Face's mind altogether.

Score: 9/10

DC Comics have provided advance copies of books for review.