All-Star Batman: My Own Worst Enemy

Every time it seems everything has been done with Batman that can be done, the ingenuity of a writer-artist team makes something old something new again.

Writer Scott Snyder, penciller John Romita Jr. and inker Danny Miki prove the concept true with “All-Star Batman: My Own Worst Enemy.”

In the trade paperback collection of the first issues of the ongoing “All-Star Batman” series, Batman goes on a road trip with Two-Face. They are chased by Bat-villains, rogues, the public and even some of Batman’s closest allies. Some want the reward on Batman’s head; others want to stop the threat of everyone’s personal information and secrets being released via digital dump if Batman’s plans aren’t stopped for Two-Face.

This Batman story trades the skyscrapers of Gotham for the cornfields of the Midwest, and the inky dark skies of night for several daytime scenes. Batman portrayed in daylight has been a no-no ever since the cancellation of the 1960s “Batman” TV show starring Adam West but the grit of the daylight scenes works here.

Vol. 1 of “All-Star Batman” is worth the trip. The storyline is fun and has unexpected twists such as Bruce Wayne and Two-Face alter-ego Harvey Dent being friends as boys.

Romita’s art breathes visual life into the storyline, via dynamic action sequences and brilliant narrative style.

The collection includes a shorter story arc called “The Cursed Wheel.”

“All-Star Batman” is five-star fun.