Review: Detective Comics #1052

The main story in Detective Comics 1052 may be one of the worst Batman comics ever made. The absence of Batman in his flagship title should be an impetus to create great stories focused on the supporting cast. Instead we are given a hackneyed plot about Psycho Pirate taking over Arkham.

All of the heroes featured here are interesting characters with a rich history, but none of them with the exception of Barbara Gordon are given anything interesting to do. Chase Meridian begins the issue discussing the nature of Gotham and its heroes. It’s a promising beginning that is immediately tossed away as the focus shifts to Arkham Asylum.

Dr Meridian worries about the Asylum being overstretched just as an undercover Huntress comes for a session. A riot breaks out and Helena suggests Dr Meridian call Dr Frow who is the undercover Kate Kane. Psycho Pirate puts the inmates to sleep. The call to Kate is intercepted and her alter ego is fired just as Meridian calls back claiming it was all a mistake. The team pieces together some clues to lead them to the Party Crashers and their shipment of pills.

The entire issue rests around the feeling of being in a movie, but it is presented in such a dull and vague way that we are left simply not caring what it all will ultimately mean. The art by Max Raynor in this issue is too simple, too clean and expressly bland. The first three pages show he has the ability to create something more dynamic, but the focus of the issue is simply talking heads with no movement. It has become exceedingly clear that Mariko Tamaki is not a good match for Detective Comics.

This is made even more clear by the excellent backup comic in this issue. The story focuses on an early adventure with Jason Todd as Robin. He meets an old friend who is working for the Penguin and tells Batman of the operation. Batman orders Jason to stay behind but of course he does not listen and as he captures the old friend his secret identity is brought into jeopardy. The art here is sharp and interesting. The colors are dynamic combining a gritty crime caper with nostalgic elements. Clearly this issue is an argument that editorial should just hand Rosenberg and Blanco this book and let them make magic. As it is this story is simply a welcome afterthought to a messy, dull main story.

Writing: 2 of 5 stars
Art: 3 of 5 stars
Colors: 3 of 5 stars

Overall: 2.5 of 5 stars

Writer: Mariko Tamiki and Matthew Rosenberg
Art: Max Raynor and Fernando Blanco
Colors: Luis Guerrero and Jordie Bellaire
Publisher: DC 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.