Welcome back BOFers!
If you are here, it can mean only one thing: the latest issue of Detective Comics has dropped! Tom Taylor and Mikel Janin continue with creative duties. Previous issues have left readers feeling that this legacy title hasn’t properly showcased its title character. Can Taylor get back on track, or are we destined for more “Detective Comics Featuring the JSA”? Let’s break it down!
These past few issues with Green Arrow and Black Canary have been a mixed bag. While the story isn’t bad, it’s not very compelling, and the Dark Knight felt few and far between for one of his many headlining books. Well, fanboys, I’m here to say that this issue is more of the same but better than what we have got…kind of.
More of the same how?
Well, Taylor doesn’t seem to be near the end of this arc, so as Lower would say, “buckle up!” This totally feels like a part three of five or six; we are stuck in the middle. Taylor is having a ball reaching into the DC toy box; I don’t know if this story is the best display of his talent.
How is this issue better?
Batman, there is plenty of Batman to go around. Flashbacks, monologues, action scenes, The Bat is on full display. Taylor’s best work on this issue is Batman’s monologue about Green Arrow. That being said, it still feels like Green Arrow is the star of the show. Batman may have more “screen time” than any other character, but the spotlight is clearly on Green Arrow.
Janin once again is at the top of his game, from the cover to the last page. You won’t find a better-looking book on the shelf. At times, Janin can give you this dingy gym vibe straight from Rocky, and at other times it can feel like swashbuckling Indian Jones. The range Janin puts on display is just wonderful to look at. You flip through the book, appreciating the effort Janin put into the pencils and the colors. I’m a huge fan of Janin’s take on Batman this issue. The more vintage blue Batman looks like a Superpowers dream come true, while the modern Batman has a Hush vibe. The best of both worlds, what’s not to love?
Detective #1109 is getting there; it’s almost a Batman book again. Taylor is taking his time wrapping this one up, that is for sure. At Batman’s expense? That seems to be issue-by-issue. This issue was better than the last two in terms of Batman. The story is ok at best. I keep getting flashbacks to JLU: Epilogue; that could just be me, though. Janin knocks the art out of the park. Artwork alone can drive some of us to buy an issue and this very well might be the case. I’m just sitting here waiting for the finale. – Peter Verra
