DC Comics reviews for 10/26/16 – Flash #9, Detective Comics #943

Detective Comics #943

No other Bat Family book was put in a more awkward position from The Night of the Monster Men crossover than Detective Comics. Granted, Detective’s two issues of the six-part arc did address Red Robin’s death, but it was hardly the proper epilogue fitting for such a major event.

Now with the crossover wrapped, writer James Tynion IV has more time to explore the various stages of grief for Team Batman. The grieving process won’t last long though as a new set of opponents, The Victim Syndicate, starts terrorizing Gotham.

I’m glad Tynion is continuing to pit the team against groups. The Colony was a great start and the Syndicate looks to be another formidable force. Tynion is one of DC’s elite writers and he illustrates why he’s continued to make Detective Comics a must-read since his arrival. The pacing is solid with great character development and larger story advancement. Tim’s absence is still being felt by Batman and Spoiler, but Batwoman is now focused on maintaining team dynamics. Orphan and Clayface are similarly unaffected although Tynion teases an expanded role for Clayface going forward.

With the team short a member, Tynion reintroduces three potential replacements including one relative newcomer to the Bat clan that was one of the bright spots of the New 52 rookie class.

Alvaro Martinez returns to handle the art chores. Martinez’s style isn’t flashy, but the layout and story flow are flawless with great character expressions. This is one of DC’s most consistently well-written and drawn books on the market today.

Tynion and Martinez kick this new arc off in engaging fashion. This is the slow wind-up installment, but it didn’t lack for well-developed character moments while setting up the next storyline. As usual, Detective Comics continues to be a book that has to be on every Batman fans’ must-read list.

Rating: 9 out of 10