December 5, 2020
In 1992, the series Batman: Shadow of the Bat was launched, beginning with the four-part storyline, The Last Arkham. Written by Alan Grant, with art by the great Norm Breyfogle, The Last Arkham gives us a look at both the architects of Arkham Asylum, as well as the continuing murders of the incarcerated serial killer, Victor Zsasz.
The plot centres around a series of murders that bears a striking resemblance to the work of Victor Zsasz, a serial killer known for slicing the throats of his victims and carving a tally mark into his skin. However, Zsasz is securely locked away in Arkham Asylum, leading to Batman and Commissioner Gordan suspecting there might be something wrong with Arkham’s security. However, the head of the Asylum, Jerimiah Arkham, is convinced that the institutes new security system is beyond capable of keeping criminals in place. On a quest to discover the truth, Batman himself becomes an inmate of the Asylum.
The storyline includes the first appearance of both Victor Zsasz and Jerimiah Arkham. Incidentally, this is also the most well written Zsasz has possibly been. He’s treated as a truly terrifying figure due to his complete lack of empathy, and manipulative tendencies. The idea that he carves a tally mark into his skin for every murder is both an important plot element and a chilling concept. Logic indicates that if Zsasz is truly behind the new murders, he should have fresh markings, but what happens when Zsasz is able to hide those marks? How could he possibly be committing these crimes, if he’s under lock and key? Meanwhile, the way we see Zsasz subtly push Dr Arkham closer towards more violent forms of therapy for the other patients adds to his cruelty.
With Jeremiah Arkham, we see a case of history repeating itself. The story begins with Jerimiah overseeing the reconstruction of Arkham Asylum. His late uncle, Amadeus Arkham, was said to have gone insane working at the asylum. Ignoring the warning from the past, Jerimiah burns his uncle’s diary along with the remains of the old asylum. However, Jerimiah begins to fall down a slippery slope as he begins listening to the patients in how to do his job, rather than considering the best option to treat them. As the story ends, he debates his own descent into madness, beginning his own diary to try to understand what he should have learnt before.
While short, The Last Arkham is an interesting look at Arkham Asylum and especially the doctors working there. It’s a fantastic look at the lengths a serial killer will go to just to keep the thrill alive. Brilliantly written, with phenomenal artwork.