The following reviews contain spoilers.
The Best of Batman In Detective Comics
Detective Comics 585 and 586
Inker : Ricardo Villagran (585) | Letterer : Todd Klein | Colorist : Adrienne Roy
Editor : Dennis O' Neil
Breyfogle came on board on 579 but his art approaches its peak in these two issues (590 is even better). A big attraction of this arc is the ickiness factor. Batman has to descend into the sewers of Gotham and there are rats. Lots and lots of rats, crawling all over the place, all over the people. It's easy to underestimate the villainous Ratcatcher, but he does stretch the Batman's resourcefulness here. Wagner and Grant give him a convincingly solid origin and motivations. At least I think its Wagner and Grant. Alan Grant revealed later on that John Wagner left after only a few issues of their Detective run but his name was kept on the credits because Grant was concerned that DC might revoke his contract if they found out the partnership was no longer active. No matter, this is a great pair of issues.
And you can get both from here.
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An American Batman In London
Detective Comics No. 590
As a start, let me invite you to look at the cover. This cover alone is worth the price of the whole book. Look at the way Batman is drawn - standing still yet dynamic. Look at Big Ben in the distance, it's in silhouette but the clock details still give it three dimensionality. The bats coming out are just perfect together with the painstaking detail of the tree branches. The colors are a close match and are subdued - with only the moon and the logo serving as contrast. The mood is somber and chill. The artist is Norm Breyfogle, he also does the rest of the issue.
I originally wanted to approach this issue of Detective Comics as a showcase of Breyfogle art but John Wagner's and Alan Grant's script is so good I'll highlight points in both writing and art.
The issue starts with a terrorist attack on some Vietnam War veterans in Gotham. This sordid scene is discovered by Batman.
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As expected, he is furious.
Look at the stylized way Batman is drawn. This is trademark Breyfogle and I'm loving it.
The Gotham police inform Bats that the one responsible has diplomatic immunity and therefore, cannot be prosecuted and has already boarded a flight to London.
Batman gets even more furious.
Batman swings off into the night and the next day Bruce Wayne decides to go on a vacation - to London. He he he.
Breyfogle's London is gorgeous, as is heralded by Big Ben on the cover. Here's a sampling:
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While Batman is in his hotel, some kids celebrating Guy Fawke's Night are shown outside. Breyfogle's layout and paneling is well worth showing as well as what I would take to be the traditional rhyme for this occasion.
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Now it is the writing's turn to take the spotlight. During his battle with the terrorist we get a a bit of a sermon from the guy responsible for killing those veterans in Gotham.
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The wonderful thing about this issue is that Batman himself gives an answer to this piece of terrorist reasoning not so much by his words but by his actions when he makes his way into the terrorist hideout.
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Do you see it? The terrorist holds an entire group to blame for the actions of a few individuals - considering innocent men somehow guilty of acts they have nothing to do with. Batman stands as the polar opposite as can be seen in the narration by the Caped Crusader in the panel above.
I think that's an artful and subtle piece of writing from Wagner and Grant, a good complement to Breyfogle's pencil work.
Before Batman leaves London, he throws his costume in the bonfire so as to make it easier for him to go through Customs. I love Breyfogle's rendition of the burning costume and those kids in the background not quite believing what they are seeing in the flames.
Get Detective Comics 590 for your collection
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Detective Comics 591
Letterer : Todd Klein | Colorist : Adrienne Roy
Assistant Editor : Dan Raspler | Editor : Dennis O' Neil
An amount of research was done on this one by Alan Grant on ancient Australian aboriginal culture and lore which really enhances the story. At one point Batman confronts the warrior Umbaluru and Umbaluru calls him a 'Night Spirit'; at that moment, I realized how nicely the mystique of the Batman fit in with the mystical lore of ancient Australia. In another exchange near the end, Batman reveals his unique stance as a vigilante. He insists that wrongdoers be captured so they can be then tried according to the law. This is in contrast to the traditional vigilante stance of judge, jury and executioner typified by Umbaluru. A great story by Grant all the better because of Breyfogle's' excellent visuals.
Get Detective Comics 591 here.
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Detective Comics 592 and 593
Inker : Steve Mitchell (593) |Letterer : Todd Klein | Colorist : Adrienne Roy
Assistant Editor : Dan Raspler | Editor : Dennis O' Neil
Sometimes I hear comments about comics no longer being for kids and of some people having to shoo away their children from some of the books. These two books belong to that pile. The villain is too intense and the crimes too graphically portrayed. If you're an adult that's actually a plus. I enjoyed the no holds barred rendition of of a psychopathic torture killer presented in these pages. The storyline is gripping. This is the fastest pacing I've seen from Grant so far during his Detective run; and, of course, you can never go wrong with Breyfogle art. Watch for the wonderful moment when Batman shows just how strong he is. Great read but not for kids.
Get both issues here.
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Detective Comics 617
Inker : Steve Mitchell |Letterer : Todd Klein | Colorist : Adrienne Roy
Assistant Editor : Dan Raspler | Editor : Dennis O' Neil
This is a done-in-one issue battle between the arch foes: Batman and the Joker. The battle itself is stupendous, highlighting the ruthless madness of the Joker and the iron will of the Batman. Don't miss the two-page spread as the two collide while the Joker drive's his very nicely rendered vintage car. Yes, the talented Mr. Breyfogle in top form as usual. Writing for this issue is Alan Grant who has obviously done research on the historical meaning of the tarot and the symbolism of the bat. He uses the knowledge to further enrich the issue.
Get this issue now!
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Detective Comics 871 to 873
Letterer : Jared K. Fletcher | Colors : David Baron
Assistant Editor : Janelle Siegel | Editor : Mike Marts
Writer : Scott Snyder | Artist : Francesco Francavilla
Letterer : Jared K. Fletcher | Colors : David Baron
Assistant Editor : Janelle Siegel | Editor : Mike Marts
First of all, the art is ravishing. Not gorgeous. Not beautiful. Ravishing - lush and rich and yes, sexy. Kudos to Jock, who did the art for this story arc. In particular look for the two page spread with the red sky and the bat moon with Batman and Gordon talking on the GCPD rooftop. This is in 871.
There is a one pager in 872 when Batman leaps off after his meeting with Oracle - I was tempted to tear it off and frame it.
Writing flows, with nary a boring moment and there are very well placed cliff hangers between issues. There is reference in 871 to a corrupt cop, Becca Mulcahey, an alleged associate of the infamous Jim Corrigan. Sure enough she's there when I checked out my old issues of Gotham Central.
The backup tale in 871 and 872 is about Jim Gordon and is interesting enough but it does not conclude during the course of this three issue arc.
Get all three issues from here
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Detective Comics 874 and 875
Letterer : Jared K. Fletcher | Associate Editor : Janelle Siegel
Assistant Editor : Kate Kubert | Editor : Mike Marts
These two issues, and the backup stories from 871 and 872, form a story that, in turn, forms a question and the question is never answered. Like a multi-faceted gem the question is presented to the reader, it's various facets introduced; there is depth in this question and there is mystery. It is a measure of Scott Snyder's skill that his delicate balance is maintained and we do not get frustrated at the tale. The tale is told as it should be and presented with great artistry by the writer. An artistry that is handily matched by the artist. Francavilla's particular strength is action. Batman and Red Robin in motion is a joy to behold. Francavilla's inks are rightfully heavy keeping a tone that suggests Miller and Colan. The range of the color palette used for each set of related panels is carefully limited, helping to evoke mood. But it is the writing that draws us back. Notice the subtlety with which Mr. Snyder fills out the character of James Gordon, a dialogue here, a scene there. A lesser writer would have succumbed to stereotypes. As I turn the last page I think it only right that DC assigns its top talents to do such an iconic title as 'Detective Comics'.
These two comics available here.
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