Review: Batman: The Detective #6

Batman: The Detective #6 is a fantastic ending to what has been a rather scattered series. Thankfully this issue tells a clear and cohesive story. Tom Taylor seems to be channeling Grant Morrison in this mini-series, creating a complex narrative structure which ends in a simple climatic battle. This might be partly a result of working with Andy Kubert who worked with Morrison on Batman to great effect.

This issue features some of Kubert’s best art in years as Batman takes on Ducard’s more recent protege: Equilibrium. As Equilibrium engineers a prison break, Batman uses the connections of Ducard and the help of the new Knight and Squire to track her down. They discover her planes to use drones obtained through the U.S. to destroy Britain.

Batman and the team use weaponry as well as strategy in engineering a quick attack and then taking over the drones themselves. The emotional core of the issue surrounds two conflicts. The first is Ducard’s desire to kill Equilibrium, which eventually leads to Equilibrium’s desire to kill herself. Batman refuses to allow this to happen and goes to far as allowing his hand to be shattered to prevent the bullet reaching its target. It’s a great representation of who Batman is and how he differs from even his greatest mentors.

The second conflict deals with the imprisonment of Squire’s mom who was a smuggler caught when she was saving a life. Bruce is able to use his connections to allow her early release. By highlighting the strength of character in both Batman and Bruce Wayne, Taylor elevated this issue and really shows us the hero’s heart. This is an excellent issue really bringing together all the elements of this series into a taut finale.

Writing: 4 of 5 stars
Art: 4.5 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.2 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.2 of 5 stars

Writer: Tom Taylor
Art: Andy Kubert
Inks: Sandra Hope
Colors: Brad Anderson
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.