Review: Batman: The Detective #2
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Tom Taylor
Penciler: Andy Kubert
Inker: Sandra Hope
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letters: Clem Robins
Review by: Kendra Hale
Summary
Pardon the expression, but here we go again! In issue #1 we saw Bruce tear himself free of Gotham and travel across the pond in order to figure out just who is not only killing dressed as him, but also killing those who he has saved as Batman. Teaming up with Squire while Knight heals, Batman is ready to start gathering the clues to make sense of just who is undoing the lives he has saved. Let’s get into Batman: The Detective #2.
If there was an issue that makes you pause to think, it is definitely this one. Batman, along with Squire, is doing an interrogation that involves a bit of a dangling off of Big Ben. Sprague is able to tell him that “she wears a mask and she pays well.” But as the cable snaps and the question and answer gets cut short, Batman has a back up plan with a way to track the wayward villain.
After a much needed sucker break, we meet our femme fatale at last. She proves herself to be cold, calculating, and incredibly cunning. She figures out the tracker and knows to scrub the site and get out of dodge ASAP. Meanwhile Bruce runs into an old friend who offers his services and aide. But when the villainess makes her driving force known… nothing is for certain.
Positives
There are some really great scenes of artwork this issue that pair nicely with the writing. One scene that first made me think this was when Bruce finds out how old Squire is and questions her being in the field. I had to really think about it because this is BRUCE WAYNE, and I mean, how young have his sidekicks, or partners if you prefer, been? It struck me as odd that Bruce would question the age, but maybe age and loss have softened or wizened him in this aspect.
Many hints were dropped, both in writing and artwork through expression and emphasis on specific wordplay. My favorite continuing moment in Batman: The Detective #2 was that of the Doctor’s office sucker between Squire, Knight, and Bruce. It was genuinely sweet and funny.
Negatives
I have found none. Everything keeps you either guessing or digging deeper into the different characters. You want to know more, even for the characters that are familiar. I really like how it draws you in.
Verdict
Give this series a chance, as it has so many delightful and interesting paths that it weaves in and out of.
Images Provided By DC Entertainment.
