DC Comics reviews 9/25/19 – Batman/Superman #2, Detective Comics #1012
Detective Comics #1012
While the dedicated Batman goes through some challenges with Tom Kong’s pending departure and some out of character moments from The Dark Knight, Detective Comics remains a model of stellar consistency.
We’re finally starting to get a sense of connectivity with the Batman books as this issue opens with a note that this story occurs before Batman #77. Those events were becoming too major to ignore in a pocket City of Bane story and it’s nice to see the Batman editorial team attempting some form of continuity.
Still, it’s a shame about Alfred’s presumed death as Detective writer Peter J. Tomasi has shown how enjoyable and essential the Batman/Alfred dynamic is in Batman books.
Tomasi’s had some inspired takes on Batman’s Rogues and this issue is no exception as he brings Mr. Freeze back in the spotlight.
Tomasi writes a creepier take than normal on Freeze, who is using the gift offered by Lex Luthor to resurrect his wife. But first he wants to test it on Nora-lookalikes. It’s a pretty twisted plan and one in keeping with one of Batman’s more obsessed villains.
Tomasi also offers some continuity nods to other events in the main Batman title and The Batman Who Laughs mini-series. For far too long the Batman books have been handled like they were all on islands with little trace of connectivity. This has been overdue and it’s good to see the events in one book playing out in another.
Artist Doug Mahnke continues to bring a very cinematic and dramatic take on Batman. Mahnke has a tremendous skill in capturing the heroic and villainous traits of his characters in every page and panel.
David Baron tends to go against the norm and colors the pages with vibrant hues that leap out. It’s a nice contrast that works very effectively here.
Detective Comics again showcases the exceptional talent of the creative team while juggling the big Year of the Villain event and addressing larger scale Batman continuity issues.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10