Archive for the ‘Detective Comics’ Category

Detective Comics #17 Review

Posted: February 6, 2013 in Comic Book Review, Detective Comics
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detective-comics-17-coverWritten by: John Layman
Art by: Jason Fabok
Backup Art by: Andy Clarke
Cover by: Jason Fabok
Variant Cover by: Jason Fabok

Up and down I go!  Do I like this issue or do I think it’s so-so?  Truth be told, I’m stuck in the middle, being completely bored while at the same time loving every last bit of this Batty installment.  Batty it is too, focusing on the League of Smiles and their insane origins, worshiping/obsessing over the Joker and making themselves up in such a way where they resemble his likeness. Being the great detective that he is, Bats deciphers the mystery of who the Merrymaker is quickly, and without error.  And the rest is simply flashbacks and resolutions.

When it comes to Batman within the new 52 (is it still 52? Cancellations and new series might negate this.) Snyder has done a fantastic job at reviving the detective within the Dark Knight, and it’s been glorious.  The last six months, however, with exception to the main title, the “detection” side of the Bat has been severely lacking.  John Layman’s work on Detective comics has been good, but it seems he’s really starting to get a handle on the world’s greatest detective.  Not only is he solving mysteries, piecing everything together into a nice set of dialogging, he uses his brawn less with minimal punching, kicking, and breaking the baddy’s teeth in.  I love a good action scene as much as the next guy, but substance is more important to me than mindless action scenes.

Where does the problem occur?  Right on the first page, when Dr. Meredith makes his appearance with Batman’s inner monologue inquiring about the identity of the Merrymaker.  If you’re worried about spoilers, don’t worry, this “surprise” won’t excite you enough for it to matter.  I figured out the “twist” by the third page, and it really isn’t that exciting.

So the joy of getting to read a TRUE detective Batman story was minimal.  Sure, it’s always fun to read the detective’s words as he unfolds the mystery bit by bit, but when you’re able to figure out the end result before reaching page four, the thrill diminishes.  Maybe I’m being a little too picky, but I was born with high expectations.

The book does get interesting during the flashback when we learn more about Dr. Meredith and his assessment of Joker’s influence on the unstable mind.  What grabbed me the most was how much the Joker’s influence stretched across Arkham Asylum, both with the inmates and its employees.  It gives so much more life and reason to Harley Quinn and Jeremiah Arkham’s insanity.  The moral of the story?  it isn’t Arkham Asylum that breeds the crazies, it’s the Joker.

There’s a lot of good art work to be seen, and new comer Jason Fabok (Is he new? I’m making assumptions based on nothing) is making a good lean into the comic book world.  He’s already good, better than most, but it’ll be fun to see what he can do in a few years, assuming he sticks around of course. I think his nitch is going to be detail, and there’s already a fantastic amount of that going on here.

Overall it’s a decent issue, just a little TOO predictable to make it exciting.  Enjoy it, but don’t begin reading it thinking it’s going to be a mindblower.

7 out of 10 stars

Detective Comics #8 Review

Posted: April 8, 2012 in Comic Book Review, DC Comics, Detective Comics, Tony Daniel
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Pencilled by: Szymon Kudranski
Cover Color by: Tomeu Morey
Lettered by: Jared K Fletcher
Colored by: John Kalisz, Tomeu Morey
Page Count: 40 Pages
U.S. Price: 3.99

It’s difficult to place this issue; while it’s definitely continuing where we left off last month, #8 seems to go into places that are somewhat strange and confusing.  Clearly there is a story brewing here, but I feel as if this issue was more of a distraction until next month’s Batfamily event, Night of the owls.

The story pits us in the center of a plot that seems all to familiar an Nolanized.  There’s some definite and undeniable similarities between Batman Begins and this issue, maybe a way bridge the DC continuity with the cinematic storyline.  However this go ’round, someone swiped Scarecrow’s fear toxin and made plans to seep it into a mass produced anonymity to be distributed to the public.  Catwoman definitely fell victim to this enigma which catapulted Batman into search and detect mode, with a little bit of agnst.

The mystery of the Joker’s scrapped off face has been set on the back burner until it becomes neccesary resurface it.  The Scarecrow seems to be just as perplexed about the whole ordeal despite the fact that he leads Batman on as if it’s all part of the plan.  However, an interesting development with the family of Strange occurred that threw Batman for a loop!  (The Riddler is probably having kittens!) I wonder if Hugo will be kicking the bucket soon, giving Eli a chance to take up his father’s mantle.  It did seem fairly clear that Eli is begging for his father’s acceptance, despite Hugo’s obvious disdain for his son’s performance.  My opinion? Eli is going to be as annoying of an addition that Damian has become.

all positive potential aside, there really was no purpose with this issue other than to file away another mystery that DC can expand on when they’re in desperate need for one down the road.  I wasn’t exactly sure why everything transpired the way they did nor do I comprehend the Scarecrow’s importance in the story and how it is justified.  I guess Detective Comics needed to hit the bump in the road at some point.

With all it’s intent and purposes, which are very noble to say the least, Detective #8 fails to do what I’m sure it set out to do.  There’s still some enjoyment to take from it, with the already mentioned interested developments and potential within certain things that happened, but also with Tony Daniel and Sandu Florea’s artwork. The Scarecrow is as terrifying as I can remember him being, if not more, and makes the overall experience of the issue much more enjoyable.

More to come next month, I’m sure.  Night of the Owls is on it’s way and it’s going to boost Detective Comics up in popularity, no doubt.

7 out of 10 Stars

Detective Comics #6 Review

Posted: February 3, 2012 in Comic Book Review, DC Comics, Detective Comics, Sandu Florea, Tony Daniel
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Written by TONY S. DANIEL
Art by TONY S. DANIEL
Inked by SANDU FLOREA
Colored by TOMEU MOREY
Lettered by JARED K. FLETCHER
Cover by TONY S. DANIEL
Variant cover by TONY S. DANIEL
Edited by KATIE KUBERT, HARVEY RICHARDS, AND MIKE MARTS

I’ve ranted and raved about Tony Daniel’s Batman so often in the past, both literally and artistically – everything about it is exciting and angsty.  For five issues, Daniel has given us the best Batman possible in Detective Comics, full of the best noir and gothic story telling that’s come around in DC Comics for a long time.  But now we have issue #6 that’s hit the stands, and it’s a bit clunky in comparison to the previous five issues.

We still have a lot of those same Batman elements that we all love to see in a Dark Knight comic; Batman scaring the crap out of some baddies and causing some to blast off their own appendages, not to mention a silent montage of Batman hunting down thug after thug, slowly yet progressively coming to the answers he needs and wants.  The dialog, however, seemed to take a slippery slope into clunkiness and corn – so much so that I had to go back and reread parts of the book because I dozed off even though my eyes were still following the words.  Yes, I’ll say it, I was bored with a Batman comic written by Tony S. Daniel! (Say it ain’t so!!!)

On to what made this book great!  Daniel may have faltered with the literary side of things, but his artistic prowess should not go unnoticed.  His dark and gothic vision is perfect for the overall feel of the Batman universe.  Not only that, but Detective Comics looks CREEPY!  Daniel has always been able to make the already scary villains and heroes in the Batman universe even creepier than originally intended.  Now with the new villain, Snakeskin, the creep keeps getting bigger and better!

Oh, and is it just me, or does the Penguin look a lot like the Joker on the cover?  Pure coincidence, I’m sure, (and possibly my eyes playing tricks on me) but very interesting none-the-less.

Back to the story…it’s still a good plot, even if the dialog within fails to show it.  There’s so much murder, betrayal, lies, and deceit that this is bound to be a great arc in the end!  I think the problem lies in the mere fact that there are way too many players fumbling around trying to solve the same mystery.  Not everyone is a Brad Meltzer or a Geoff Johns, so my hope is that Daniel will kick it back a bit in the future and not involve so many different characters in different places

As stated, the potential is still there and #6 is a sight to see.  No doubt, however, this is the weakest issue of Detective since the reboot.

And when is the freaking Joker gonna come back?!?!?!?

6 out of 10 stars

Detective Comics #3 Review

Posted: November 4, 2011 in Comic Book Review, DC Comics, Detective Comics, Sandu Florea, Tony Daniel
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Written By: Tony Daniel
Drawn By: Tony Daniel
Inked By: Sandu Florea
Colors By: Tomeu Morey
Letters By: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover By: Daniel & Morey

I’m wondering if, somewhere along the line, Daniel forgot what the heck he was supposed to do with Batman.  The story seems to have more depth and amazingly epic narration, but the point of “Night of the Dollmaker” is lost to me.  Much of what happens in Detective Comics #3 seems to come out of nowhere and defies everything we know about Batman.  If this issue is another one of the Riddler’s deviously inquisitive plots, then I’m certainly a victim.

I wondered how Batman, the world’s greatest detective, somehow missed the fact that Jack-in-the-box was missing his tongue?  Maybe I’m being a little overly critical – certainly when someone is on the verge of being kidnapped, cut open and ripped apart, even the most cunning can miss a few details here and there while escaping.  However, I have seen Batman’s ability to NOT MISS the smallest detail, even on the verge of being cut open by multiple foes…it’s hard for me to grasp that he somehow missed this one minor detail.  Of course, he may not have had many options to begin with right?

But then again, somehow he was able to use his detective skills in the way we’re familiar with…by somehow figuring out who the villain is by simply looking at photographs of people faces?  No explanation was given as to HOW he figured this out, but somehow he did.  So Bats is able to deduce things that make no sense, but the obvious mysteries are difficult for him?  Very hard to buy into, wouldn’t you agree?

It’s still a fun read despite all of the inconsistencies and mindless violence…that’s what The Dark Knight series was for I thought! The Dollmaker is quite an interesting villain and certainly has the potential of reeking havoc and dementia in future Batman comics.  It’s also fun to see Batman fight through impossible odds, even if his detective nature left his mind for a brief moment.  It’s still dark and gothic, just the way I like my Batman comics to be!  The demented aura of Detective Comics is just getting better and better, and it’s only been three issues!  As long as Daniel keeps going with this gothic motif, I will continue to pick up this title.

And Daniel deserves even more praise with his art.  I will always maintain my position that Tony Daniel is THE BEST Batman artist in history.  There isn’t an inconsistent page in #3 and it all suits the dark story Daniel has concocted.  I loved the dirty and grotesque look and feel of the Dollmaker’s surgical surroundings as well as how powerful the action sequences are.  Keep up the good work Tony!

As for the ending…Does it feel like something’s not quite right?  I’m sure the whole story is supposed to feel that way, but the hanging Joker’s felt out of place.  I understand the Joker’s involved to some degree, but what’s the purpose of the current situation?  Maybe I should give it more time, but there seems to be a little bit of uncertainty in Daniel’s story, especially with this ending.

I love Tony Daniel and his work on Batman.  In fact, this is the only Batman comic I’ve ever read by Daniel that I didn’t love to death…in fact it felt mediocre.  I trust Daniel though and will continue to follow Detective Comics, assured in the fact that he is a great writer and will bring everything together to make this a great first arc.

6 out of 10 stars

Detective Comics #1 Review

Posted: September 9, 2011 in Batman, Comic Book Review, DC Comics, Detective Comics, Tony Daniel
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Writer: Tony Daniel
Artist: Tony Daniel
Inker: Ryan Winn
Colorist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover Art: Tony Daniel

Batman Created by Bob Kane

The Plot
Batman goes on the hunt for his greatest foe, the Joker.  But the clown prince of evil is running into his own problems.  A new, unknown villain is trapping the joker, and he seems to enjoy wearing human skin over his face.  What are his plans for the Joker’s then?

My Heretical Opinion
For a few years, (with the exception of administrative positions) Tony Daniel took on one of the toughest jobs any comic book professional CAN take on…writing and drawing for a single title.  Now he’s back with the reboot of Detective Comics #1, And being a big fan of his time writing and drawing for the regular Batman title off and on, I was excited as could be for his return to the Batman world.  But, truly, nothing could have prepared me for what Mr. Daniel was bringing to the reboot of Detective Comics, and I couldn’t be happier.

Batman is really no different than he was before the reboot, with exception of his less than chipper personality and brooding demeanor.  What has changed, however, is the gothic world surrounding Batman’s universe.  Action Comics #1 presented a Metropolis with bright colors and uplifting characters.  Detective Comics is almost the exact opposite; every page filled with darkness and violence that it almost makes me wonder why this title isn’t under the “horror comic” label DC has been handing out to its books.  The first page alone gives off this terrifying vibe – letting the readers know that, by the issue’s end, we will have experienced a dark and terrifying tale to add to the Dark Knight’s gothic repertoire.

He Always Has A Smile On His Face

The Joker, just like Batman, hasn’t changed.  (As far as I can tell) He’s still a psychopathic maniac who gets a good laugh from watching and causing torture and death to numerous individuals.  As Batman stated, “one hundred and fourteen murders in the past year” is not a sign that the Joker is on a path of personal reconciliation.  But there is more to this mystery than meets the eye.  With this new skin-wearing villain, combined with the issue’s shocking ending, you’ll realize the entire dialog which occurs at the beginning of #1 all ties together incredibly well at the end.  It’s an ending that will intrigue your senses, while grossing them out at the same time.  This is a true Batman story; dark to the core and disturbing as can be.

The important relationships we all know and admire are still intact.  Alfred may seem a little different, but it’s still all too familiar, and the dealings Bats has with Commissioner Gordon will always remain the same…informative yet humorously elusive.

If the script doesn’t drag you into the emotional springboard of the comic, the art will…and like the credits at the top say, Tony Daniel gives both aspects of this comic the ultimate literary and artistic treatment.  From start to finish, Daniel draws every panel flawlessly, never wavering on the details.  There are at least two or three pages within this book that should be deemed worthy of a pin-up status. And the Joker is even more horrifying than he was before the reboot.

This is my kind of comic!  It contains the right amount of heroics, horror, violence, and thought provoking plot progression and my senses were tickled beyond anything I could imagine.  Tony Daniel is the BEST writer and artist for Batman in the history of the character.  Please DC, keep everyone else away from Detective Comics and leave Daniel on this title for as long as you can!

10 out of 10