Review: Batman: The Detective #1

Review: Batman: The Detective #1

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Tom Taylor

Artist: Andy Kubert

Colorist: Brad Anderson 

Letters: Clem Robins 

Review by: Kendra Hale 

Summary

If I were to be honest, I would say that I am not the most diligent reader of the Batman story line. I tend to flit to whichever tale catches my eye, or go off of recommendations. But, Batman: The Detective is one I am glad to have stepped forward for. This is a new beginning, in many ways, for Bruce Wayne, with an honesty that, personally, I am not used to seeing given to the Dark Knight. 

Sure, we have seen him giving his inner monologue here and there, but this time feels different. And for good reason. For Bruce, Everything is different.

Let us dive in. 

I Have Enough Ghosts Haunting Me 

Starting out with a plane being hijacked by a bunch of Batman masked villains, we see Knight, Beryl Hutchinson, trying to save the day. But the reason for the hijack is currently unknown and the story switches back over to Gotham. Bruce is saying goodbye, not only to the memories, but to all the heartbreak caused by Gotham. He is questioning his actions and just how much good Batman has actually done.

Leaving Gotham behind, he finds his way to Lancashire, only to run into the current Squire, as well as The Gentleman Ghost. A small battle later, Bruce makes his way with Squire to talk to Beryl about what she knows from the hijacked flight. But someone is watching and waiting to act. Their goal? To undo all the good that Batman has done, the question is why?

Positives

First things first, the art and writing are engaging and completely enthralling. You can feel Bruce’s hesitance, and his struggles throughout this first issue. At one moment, during the fight, I swear I was ready to hear the Roger Murtaugh quote “I’m too old for this sh**.” coming in at some point. Tom Taylor has given us a version of Bruce that is more honest and, if it is possible, more aware of what is going on internally. Andy Kubert matches the emotion with his astounding art, not that I was surprised to see this.  

I look forward to what this team brings us in future issues and just what new insights are to come. 

Negatives

There wasn’t more? Ugh patience again…

Verdict

This introduction to Batman: The Detective was really a nice opener. I love the plot and how it flows smoothly into different scenarios. I loved seeing Knight and Squire again, as well as seeing Bruce pay homage to BOTH his Fathers.  This is a heady mix of emotion and perseverance that I look forward to seeing how it all plays out for the World’s Greatest Detective. Of course, I want to know who is behind it all as well, but isn’t that the fun part of a story? To watch everything add up? 

See you next time!

Images Provided By DC Entertainment.