Welcome back, BOFers!
Tom Taylor and Mikel Janin continue their Detective Comics run with Chapter Five of “The Courage that Kills.” Batman is stricken with a mysterious illness, and Gotham descends into chaos as the Lion emerges. This month in Gotham brings mounting uncertainty and danger.
Let’s break it down!
This storyline has run for five months, placing Batman under constant pressure from the new villain, the Lion. In this issue, lingering questions about the Lion are addressed, specifically his origin and his fixation on both Bruce Wayne and Batman. Taylor adds cameo appearances from other DC characters, including an effective use of Ted Grant, that fit smoothly into the story. This issue focuses less on action and more on character development and backstory through exposition and flashbacks, reflecting the Lion’s strategy to hurt Batman physically and emotionally. The Lion’s approach is reminiscent of classic villains such as The Riddler and Hush.
Though light on action, Janin’s art lifts the story. The opening scene delivers emotion, showing fear in the young Lion’s eyes. Batgirl’s splash page adds urgency to Batman’s confrontation with the Lion through bold colors. The quarantine suit is bulky but serves its narrative purpose, but at times it’s too Michelin Man.
Taylor and Janin show strong creative chemistry, similar to Tomasi and Walker’s brief team-up. Introducing a new Gotham villain is difficult; Tynion and Taylor have tried with mixed results. So far, the Lion adds interest, especially through his personal ties to Batman and Bruce Wayne, highlighting duality. Batman stays focused on his mission even while wearing a containment suit, which is highly contagious, keeping the core elements of his character. I would not pass this one up in the comic shop this month. – Peter Verra
