Included in the collection are loosely-related stories concerning identity and how we define ourselves. The centerpiece, a three-parter featuring Bruce Wayne’s other alter ego, Matches Malone, and villain the Ventriloquist, is fantastic. Also included is a solid stand-alone with villains Man-bat and Mad Hatter.
The book falters, however, with the final arc, Wonder Woman’s run-in with Clayface – an intriguing concept that, by Vaughan’s own admission in the introduction, never really takes off. Also included is a mini-story introducing a new Batman villain, The Skeleton, who never caught on.
All in all, worth a read for Batman and Vaughan fans alike. Just keep in mind that at that time the comics’ golden boy was still developing his own identity.
Grade: B+
Batman: False Faces is currently available.