Oh boy!
Tom Taylor has delivered some action-packed issues of Detective Comics lately. Batman teaming up with Penguin and Bullock rivals the antics and banter of Riggs and Murtaugh. Teaming up with artist Lee Garbett, this duo has not only delivered the team-up story you didn’t know you wanted but also introduced a new secret society into the mix. Can Taylor and company nail the final issue? Let’s get into it!
The three parts of “Elixir” have been a total roller coaster ride. Taylor does not waste any time. Detective #1099 picks up where 1098 left off: a good old-fashioned shoot-out and a wounded comrade. The interesting partnerships keep forming in this story, as we see Bullock and Penguin team up for some good cop, bad cop like you have never seen before. Taylor has done wonders with his awkward pairings in this three-part tale. Bullock even has a touching moment with his crooked partner from earlier in the story. But sadly, when Taylor reveals the master mind behind Elixir, it very well might go down as the most disappointing villain reveal in recent memory. For two issues, it felt like Taylor was building up to something, not exactly Court of Owls, but something of interest. This will easily go down as Batman’s simplest and fastest victory. As you would expect, Taylor does a masterful job with his script. The “You shouldn’t have #@%$&% with Gotham” scene was great from the hero’s perspective, but Perpetuam Vita left so much to be desired.
Lee Garbett has an open invitation from me to draw Detective Comics whenever he wants. This book is stunning; the art is simple and clean. The way that Garbett uses black and shadows around Batman as he moves and fights is just perfect. Not a whole lot of stylizations or over-the-top detail in this art, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked; this is what comics are meant to look like. The layouts make all the action and fighting easy to follow. Garbett makes Batman look stoic on every page, in every panel. Things as simple as Batman walking or just standing look epic when drawn by Garbett.
Detective Comics #1099 has a lot of great moments in the book, great character moments. The unlikely pairing creates an incredible dynamic for readers. The big problem is that the villain was just not up to par with the rest of the story; not only was his entrance underwhelming, but the “final showdown” was utterly boring. For a story that had lots of positive momentum going into the concluding issue, this tale will be remembered for Taylor’s ability to deliver enjoyable banter and action while falling short with the villain. I was very hyped for the Elixir even after my reservations about fake Blade, but ultimately, Tom Taylor could not finish. – Peter Verra
GRADE: B-
