Hello, and welcome back to the best Batman fans on the planet!
That’s right, you, the fans who read comics, are the real ones.
Detective Comics #1095 has arrived this week, and it’s quite a spectacle! Martha Wayne finds herself in a tricky situation for someone who’s supposed to be Dead. Tom Taylor has woven a mysterious narrative featuring a new villain, linking to Batman’s origins. Taylor is toying with past legends, which can be pretty Risky. Will the Eisner Award-winning writer enhance the Wayne mythology, or will this be a missed chance for an author too eager to shed light on the Batcave? There’s only one way to find out cool kids! Let’s break it down!
Taylor has been dropping breadcrumbs for the last few issues, and this review was too caught up in the action to notice. Shout out to the extraordinary colorist and artist Mikel Janin for providing such wonderful distractions. Taylor has been teasing readers that there is more than meets the eye regarding the Wayne murders from all those years ago. Other writers have sometimes tried to put a twist on Martha Wayne (Absolute Batfake, I’m looking at you). However, Taylor’s approach is not so much a twist since it aligns closely with the characterization of both Martha and Thomas Wayne.
It’s unbelievable how, these days, it’s a breath of fresh air when a character acts like they should. A few issues back, Taylor suggested that the Hippocratic Oath might have been the reason for the Wayne’s death. Was it a coincidence, or was it staged? Another angle that writers have toyed with over the years, readers may say, “Been there, done that,” but Taylor employs that gimmick as part of the investigation. Taylor’s Batman is taking these teenage kidnappings and murders personally, almost to the point where he blames Thomas Wayne, but the voice of reason, Leslie Thompkins, does her best to reach our stubborn vigilante. The real twist of this tale is not Thomas or Martha, but Joe Chill. Chill and Batman share some emotionally charged panels in this book from both perspectives; Taylor is playing on everyone’s emotions with this one. If you love a good cameo, this book is for you, with appearances from Penguin, Vandal Savage, and even Superman. As usual, Taylor masterfully juggles all the characters; nothing feels forced, and they all advance the story. Penguin and Savage are engaging in the political PR game, while Superman, as Clark Kent, is utilized by Batman to spread the word in The Daily Planet, kicking off his plan. Taylor’s Batman hits all the classic notes: at times, a brooding loner and then an investigative genius who knows just the right cards to play. I’ve noted it in a few recent reviews: this Batman feels vintage.
What else can be said about Mikel Janin and his work? Every month, I rave about his color palette, the panel placement, and the sheer genius of his creativity. The Batman/Chill conflict stands out as the book’s highlight; the moment our hero steps out of the Batmobile, you can feel the tension in the grim Gotham air. The greens add a slimy texture to the background, perfectly suited for this criminal’s abode. The next page explodes into splash-page glory as Batman throws a jab, Janin introduces fierce red panels at the bottom of the page displaying the type of rage that would make Dex-Starr proud. Our villain is no less impressive; while Asema makes only one appearance in this book, it leaves a mark and feels straight out of a horror film. Janin excels at translating emotion through artwork, complementing Taylor’s words with every panel.
Tom Taylor drops more than one bomb in this month’s issue, shedding some light on the possible backstory of our villain that also ties into Batman’s origins. You need to watch out, or you’ll miss the clues that Taylor has been leaving readers; I’m guilty of it. Taylor has taken on the daunting task of adding and changing the mythology around the Waynes while creating a new villain and juggling various characters throughout Gotham. Paired with Mikel Janin’s stunning interior artwork, we are witnessing the revival of Detective Comics to its roots. This fanboy couldn’t ask for anything more.
GRADE: B+
