The Long Halloween (Part 2), directed by Chris Palmer and scripted by Tim Sheridan (based on Jeph Loeb/Tim Sale's hot-selling DC series) hits the spot with rueful tricks and tragic treats, as Batman, Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent continue their investigation of the haunting Holiday Killer.
This chapter comes in the wake of the Joker's raucous, Arkham escape, while the Falcone/Maroni war prevails in its Fistful of Dollars context. Meanwhile, stealthy Catwoman claws from the shadows, assisting the Dark Knight when things turn grim, as often they will in forever-autumnal Gotham.
Poison Ivy (more poisonous than ever), the Scarecrow (scarier than ever) and Mad Hatter (madder than ever) become the main, interfering antagonists at various phases (Solomon Grundy and Calendar Man pay return visits, too), but the Long Halloween (Part 2) is the tale of how Dent birthed Two-Face.
As one might deduce, the identity of the Holiday Killer skids from Two-Face's manifestation, but why spoil the inadvertent hows and whys? Let's say that the crossroads are as heartbreaking as they are ghoulish, placing the saga on an impassioned plane, with insinuations of Robert Louis Stevenson, John Wyndham and Mario Puzo to ensure the sinister segments fit.
That's high praise and warranted, for once the nefarious wreckage clears, the Long Halloween (as a seamless whole) is a memorable, noir-ish experience aimed at adults, but it sure as hell wouldn't hurt kids to watch. Within its costumed catacombs are quality life lessons for those of any age.
Pop some corn and gather up the family to view the complete saga for a fulfilling, growing-pains experience.
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