I didn’t think I would enjoy a Mad Hatter story, but i was wrong.
This story works well because of the character interactions. Batman and Alfred, Batman and Gordon, and even The Hatter and his Goons. Fictional character talking like real people seems to be a huge strength for this arc.
The back story of The Hatter also pulls you in leaving you with wanting to know what happened to this creepy, twisted, “Mad” man.
Some of the panels and dialog in this issue peel away the action and reveal that the relationships are what make this Batman world great. Gordon and Batman talking just like real “brothers from different mothers” would talk and Alfred trying to pry information from Bruce about the end of a recent relationship just like a dad would talk to his angry son.
Side note-after the exchange between Alfred and Bruce about the break up, there is a panel of Bruce in the bat-mobile, nothing is said, its just Bruce appearing to take a deep breath after dealing with his frustrating father figure. GREAT PANEL