DC Comics reviews 11/30/21 – Batman Fear State Omega #1, Human Target #2

Detective Comics Annual #1

Despite the cadre of sidekicks and partners Batman has had over the years, it always feels like the best team-up stories feature Nightwing.

Writers Mariko Tamaki and Matthew Rosenberg reunite the original Dynamic Duo for this extended story that makes the case for better mental health services for Arkham Asylum residents. This seems likely to cause more problems than it solves, specifically for writers without the revolving door nature of Arkham. Nightwing favors this new approach while Batman considers Arkham necessary to protect Gotham’s citizens.

The art from David Latham lacks the grittiness of the standard Batman story and is a little too clean. Color work from Trish Mulvilhill and Lee Loughridge is also too bright and cheery for a story that would benefit from a darker visual.

With so many Batman releases this week, this might not feel essential, but for readers that do pick it up they likely won’t be disappointed.

Rating: 7 out of 10