That is, until Batman: Snow. Apart from the recent Batman Annual written by Scott Snyder, this was the best Mr Freeze story I have read. In this volume, we are told of his origin, and are given a slightly different slant on the character in the form of strange dream-like sequencs where he acts on the advice of 'Nora'. Instead of a 2-dimensional character who orders people to 'chill out', we actually have a sympathetic villain on our hands here.
Snow starts inconspicuously enough, with Alfred describing the different types of nights he goes through as the butler and medic to Batman. Unfortunately it isn't one of the greatest nights - he comes downstairs to find Batman in a bloodied heap after trying to take down a criminal called Scotta. Alfred questions whether Batman can truly fight this fight on his own, which inspires Batman to do something about his solitude.
One of my favourite sequences in this book was when Batman was profiling and approaching the various people he had selected for his group of specialists to help him with his crusade against crime. They are a mixed bunch, from an unstable Navy SEAL to an ex-con, but I loved the recruitment sequences where Batman showed how much research he had done in order to discover the 'weak points' of each person so he could best persuade them to join his cause.
This group of specialists quickly make headway on the investigation into Scotta, whilst Batman occasionally checks in via video link to see how his team are getting on. Unfortunately this culminates in a botched interception of the weapons deal which Scotta had been trying to broker. One of the group is shot and injured - which leads to a breakdown in the relationship Batman has built up with this odd collection of people. It was great while it lasted though, and was an example of Batman as 'master planner' at it's best.
Meanwhile, we see Victor Fries' life go from bad to worse, as his wife, Nora is diagnosed with a degenerative disease and he finds himself at odds with the money behind his cryogenics research. Things build to a head when he discharges Nora and tries to use his research to cure her. Obviously this doesn't go to plan, and Mr Freeze is born.
Both plot lines converge in a final confrontation where Batman has to rely on new technology created by his newly put together team. This team is short lived however, as they decide to go it alone after their mission is a success - albeit with one or two losses? It's a shame no writer has come back to this ragtag bunch of characters, as they were interesting, and it was fascinating to see them adapt so quickly to Batman's way of working.
It is interesting that Fries and Batman only become enemies because the bat gets in the way of Freeze's revenge against the people who he sees as having stolen his wife. If anything they are more enemies of circumstance than the other rogues that Batman has to face.
The artwork here was excellent - especially the aforementioned sequences where Victor 'speaks' to Nora, which have a dreamlike quality to them. Batman's suit was suitably low-tech, showing off the early stages of his career. Fries too has a very low-tech looking suit, emphasising that this is an origin and a first meeting between the two.
At the end of the story, despite his lack of success in getting together a team, there are hints of the future in a news story about 'The Flying Graysons'. In short I loved this story, it showed everything I love about Batman and made me wish his specialist team had lasted longer, but also made me excited for the upcoming stories where Robin comes into play...
Next up - Year Two - Fear the Reaper
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