DC Comics reviews for the week of 5/8/19

Detective Comics #1003

Detective Comics has once again become the can’t miss regular Batman title. Peter J. Tomasi has picked right back up from his previous stellar writing run and artist Bradley Walker is providing an astonishing larger than life visual element the book hasn’t had in years.

Tomasi quickly plays off the Arkham Knight reveal he teased last issue. It’s a smart approach as the reveal lacks context until the final page, which pays it off beautifully.
We haven’t seen a lot of Batman and Damian team-ups in the Rebirth era so this was a nice treat. Tomasi was one of the first writers who really figured out how best to use and write Damian after Grant Morrison. Robin has a fun confrontation with Arkham Knight before reuniting with Batman.

Arkham Knight is a fresh adversary for Batman and the reveal at the end makes them a surprising legacy character who would have a legit reason for wanting to bring an end to Batman’s enforcement of Gotham. Tomasi didn’t just borrow the name from the video game and had Walker whip up a cool design. There’s a meaningful story behind the Knight and with the medieval theme, Arkham Knight has the potential to be the kind of Rogue with staying power long after Tomasi moves on to another title.

Walker’s art is really sensational. He’s giving the book a vibrant full tilt superhero look. That classic throwback sense is what sets Walker’s art apart. Andrew Hennessy’s ink work really brings out the depth and line work of Walker’s pages. Nathan Fairbairn’s colors are rich, bold and subtly tell the story of a Gotham that’s cast in never ending light.

Detective Comics is exactly what you’d expect when you grab a Batman book. Tomasi and Walker have crafted a compelling story that reads like a classic best of Batman story. Don’t miss this title!

Rating: 10 out of 10