DC Comics reviews 12/22/20 – Detective Comics #1033, Dark Nights Death Metal Secret Origin #1

Detective Comics #1033

Regrettably, this marks the end of a very strong run from Peter J. Tomasi as the Detective Comics’ writer, but at least he reunites with frequent collaborator artist Brad Walker for this final issue. Batman and Damian team up once again to take down Hush, bringing back bad memories from Batman over his friendship with one of his greatest villains.

Damian doesn’t meekly sit by on the sidelines and is a major nuisance to Hush, who had a solid revenge scheme this time to crush the Bat Family once and for all.

Walker’s art has always been a highlight when he’s partnered with Tomasi as his panels have an amazing vitality to them that brings so much energy and life to his pages. Inker Andrew Hennesy and colorist Dave McCaig make for excellent partners for Walker’s big screen style pages. Walker incorporates some clever ways to do flashbacks this issue with reflections off of Batman and Hush. At first it seems like it’s a mistake, but as it’s repeated throughout the issue it proves to be a unique presentation.

Tomasi digs deep into the personal manner of the Batman/Hush rivalry and I wish he had more time to play this arc out as it felt like a bit of a rushed conclusion. Regardless this was still a very enjoyable manner to wrap this arc. There’s been a weird sense of finality with the DC books as they clear the decks for the incoming creative teams arriving after Future State.

Tomasi and Walker’s successors on Detective Comics have huge shoes to fill as this has been a very entertaining ride that deserved another extended encore.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10