Holy Spoilers, Batman! Read at your own risk.
After reading Detective Comics #1, one thing is for sure, this isn’t your Grandfather’s Batman comic.
Writer and artist Tony Daniel bursts out of the gate with this introductory issue, which was no easy task, given the long running status of Detective Comics. The first thing that struck me was when I went to pick up this issue at my local comic shop, is the gruesome, grisly cover. The cover alone already started breaking down my preconceptions of what this generation’s Detective Comics would look like. I love to follow pop culture, and I’ve noticed the propensity to relish in plenty of revisionist nostalgia as of late (oh, I’m guilty too), which you can see in such things as Mad Men, new-comer Pan-Am, commercial graphics and the simple re-imagining of childhood cartoons (Smurfs, etc.). Initially, I thought perhaps such a long running series such as Detective Comics would fall prey to this fad, where it would be retro yet updated in presentation, but I am happy to report that Detective Comics has forgone this path.
I have no idea where this Batman story takes place in the DC timeline, and I think it will take some time for everyone to start thinking of the whole DC universe as fresh after so many decades of muddled continuity. Daniel makes it clear that Batman has been in the crime fighter game for at least a few years, as has the Joker, echoing that the two have a rivalry. Jim Gordon and Batman already have a working relationship, the bat signal exists and is used, and the Bat cave is already decked out with billionaire funded tech. This isn’t an origin story, which is exactly what I expected and Daniel and his team did the opposite, again defying my expectations.
The art and layout create a dynamic space, the action is fluid, and you get the sense that nothing was held back graphically or story-wise. This is a violent episode. The Joker isn’t on his first kill, but is rather an infamous figure in Gotham known as a serial killer at large in the public realm. The story is somewhat vague, with more action than a typical mystery might have, but it left me intrigued to pick up the next issue. What really stood out is Batman’s inner monologue as he glides over Gotham in pursuit of the Joker. The writing is snappy without being cliché or trite, and even if you haven’t read a Batman comic in 20 years, you understand who these characters are pretty quick. Lack of origin story doesn’t mean we don’t see Bruce Wayne. Had they decided to fragment the story between Bruce and Batman, it would have brought the momentum to a barreling halt. Rather, Daniel uses moments of dialogue between Alfred and Batman to bring out Bruce’s personal life without blatantly exposing as exposition. Right from the start, there is no doubt that Batman is the reality, and Bruce Wayne is the façade.
Overall, I can’t wait for the next issue. DC has grabbed me with this story, and convinced me to check out more books from the New 52 that I hadn’t planned on, based solely on the fact that Detective Comics #1 is so good. I’m one of those comic lovers who hadn’t read a comic in many years, and look what I’m saying. I’m going to go buy the second issue the day it hits shelves. Congratulations DC, it worked.
Score: 4 out 5 “Fantastic.”
Written by Chris Harder
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Tags:
DC Comics, New 52, Comic Book Review