DC Comics reviews 11/29/22 – Nightwing Annual 2022 #1, Justice Society #1

Detective Comics 2022 Annual #1

For this year’s Detective Comics Annual, writer Ram V explores Gotham’s past as a means of providing more backdrop to the current Nocturne arc.

The story largely takes place in 1776 with Gathome dealing with the threat of witches, overzealous clergy and a wolfman? The latter is the link to the present-day storyline as Gael reflects on his unnaturally long life.

This marks the first significant misfire of the Nocturne arc. Ram V throws in various analogies and outright homages to the Batman mythology with references/nods to characters like Scarecrow, Two-Face, Penguin and Poison Ivy. These feel too on the nose and suggest Batman’s fate was inevitable as he’s so closely linked to Gotham.

The art is primarily done by Christopher Mitten, with Rafael Albuquerque providing the bookend segments. Mitten’s style is rougher with more of a sketch type appearance. Layouts and action sequences are smoothly laid out however.

Lee Loughridge’s color work is sharp with clever choices of greens, yellows, oranges and blues.

Fans of the Nocturne arc don’t have to pick up this historic side story unless they absolutely want the complete story. Otherwise, this is an easy one to skip.

Rating: 5 out of 10