Issue Four

Title Page

1. This chapter has the title, “Friend in Need”. What does that phrase mean? Where does it come from?
2. What predictions can you make about the story based on that title?
3. The title page features the lines: “He’s out to clean up a city that likes being dirty. He can’t do it alone.” Who is the “he” referred to?
4. Does the meaning of the image accompanying the text appear to change, depending on who the text refers to?

Plot

1. Describe why Essen asks Gordon an ‘unfair’ question. What is unfair about it?
2. Why does Dent let Skeevers get bail?
3. Why is the Wayne Chemical news announcement (p83) important?
4. “They were all too busy to stand in my way of promotion to Captain.” (p96) What does this mean?

Onomatopoeia

1. Without onomatopoeia, this chapter would not be as engaging or as effective at communicating information to the audience. Do you agree or disagree? Justify your position with evidence from the text. (Use at least one full formal paragraph)

Characterisation: Gordon

1. What does Gordon realise about his feelings for Essen on pages 74-75?
2. On page 81, tier 1, Gordon stops the car with Barbara in it, saying “Honey, there’s something we have to talk about.” We don’t see what that conversation is, but what do you think it pertains to? Why have it here? Why does Miller NOT show us the conversation?
3. On page 95, tier 3, panel 3, Gordon says to the man who saved his baby, “You know, I’m practically blind without my glasses.” Why does he say this? What does is he implying?

Characterisation: Batman

1. Why does Batman appear at the Roman’s Mansion (pp. 84-7)?
2. Explain Catwoman’s reaction to Batman’s appearance, especially in tier two, panels 1 and 2 on page 87.
3. With specific reference to page 80 (tier two, panel two) and page 87 (tier 3, panel one), explain the relationship between Bruce Wayne and his butler, Alfred.

Page Analysis: Page 89

1. Explain the use impact of onomatopoeic words.
2. How do the “extreme close-ups” of the telephone and the Commissioner's face contribute to the effect of the page?
3. Where has the last tier on the page been foreshadowed earlier? Why repeat the images and dialogue here?

Page Analysis: Page 94

1. Why does the final panel of tier three bleed across the bottom half of the page, with tiers two and three superimposed?
2. What is the effect of the final 'panel' in tier three?
3. Transform this page into half a page of text, as though it were a written novel. Consider your use of language and punctuation to control detail and pacing.

In fact, the overall design of this page is reminiscent of the point of a knife, don't you think? Considering the over-bearing presence of the knife in the hands of the thug, this is very likely.

Page Analysis: Page 96

1. Why does our perspective “close in” on Gordon in the last three panels?
2. Does this reflect anything that has come before?
3. Why is Gordon shown lighting his pipe?