DC Comics reviews for 7/24/19 – Wonder Woman #75, The Flash #75

Detective Comics #1008

I appreciate the variety of the Batman Universe these days. It’s varied enough that we can have Joker operating as a detective in the main Batman title, the White Knight in another book, a rabid zombie in another while Peter J. Tomasi can offer a classic, deranged take in Detective Comics.

Tomasi arguably has his finger on the pulse of what makes Batman work better than his peers. In this brisk 22-pages, he quickly introduces a new Joker emergency and efficiently uses the rest of the issue to show him in the most psychotic light while Batman formulates a plan to stop him. It sounds simple, but Tomasi makes it work. Best of all, this isn’t some sprawling nine-issue saga – it’s introduced and concluded in one issue. There’s something to be said about streamlined stories in the write for the trade paperback era.

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Doug Mahnke returns to provide the art and his break clearly allowed him a chance to recharge and come back as strong as he’s been on the title. Mahnke’s take on Joker is wonderfully unhinged and he gives Joker that gleam of madness on every page. The setting of this encounter also allows Mahnke to artistically flex a bit more than the traditional dark Gotham backdrop as well.  Dave Baron has been amazing on colors since he started on the book and this was another standout job.

If you’ve been reading a lot of DC books this month you’re familiar with the Year of the Villain offer tie-in. This one offers an intriguing setup for one of Batman’s longtime foes with something they’ve desired since their early days as a criminal. If Luthor can provide it, what lengths will they go to take down Batman? I’m ready to see where Tomasi and Mahnke take that storyline as YOTV plays out. For now, enjoy another stellar issue of the most consistently entertaining Batman book on the stands today.

Rating: 10 out of 10