If memory serves me; I wasn’t completely in love with this Globe-trotting Batman tale when I first read it back in the late nineties. Upon a reread, I’d guess that the reason was that it’s not particularly Batmannish. The story doesn’t feature Gotham, any of the established rogues or any of Batman’s glorious arsenal of vehicles. Indeed, it could have featured any pulp hero, from Spider-man to Tin Tin; and in fact it would have been a perfect vehicle for Tarzan, tracing Scottish ancestors in the Greystoke family line.
What I can see now is that writer Alan Grant cooked a high-adventure comical thriller in the style of a cinematic serial, taking full advantage of authentic Scottish history and landmarks to flavour the stew. The tone is self-aware and slightly tongue-in-cheek as evidenced by such chapter headings as ‘Isle of Mists’, ‘The Devil’s Scroll’ and ‘Castle of Doom’. The inclusion of Batman is just a bonus.
What Scottish Connection is really noteworthy for, is as a powerhouse showcase of Frank Quitely‘s splendid artistic skills.
Everything I love about Quitely‘s artwork is on display in these 64 pages. Fully realised and believable settings, dynamic action that jumps off the page, unique PoV shots, expressive characterisation, novel storytelling and beautiful, delicate linework. Grant clearly understood Quitely‘s strengths in storytelling, and many of the best sequences (both comical and action) are allowed to unfold with relatively little dialogue or exposition.
As comics go, this is pure entertainment; for lovers of Scotland it’s an interesting novelty; and for fans of comic art, it’s another absolute treat.
