Review: Detective Comics #1058

Every aspect of the main tale in Detective Comics 1058 leaves one wondering just how long the editors will allow this awful run to continue. This is a perfectly talented group of creators that seem entirely unsuited to make a Batman comic. The largest problem by far is Mariko Tamaki’s writing which is staggeringly bad.

This arc ends with the downfall of Arkham Tower and the death of Tobias Wear. Batwoman and Batman try to shape the narrative by working with a reporter. The largest question remains as to how Wear maintained control over the insane patients in the tower.

Penguin’s gang knows it was Psycho Pirate behind it all and go on the attack. But the Bat-Family stops them before returning to their new group Batcave. The issue drags on with a funeral for Tobias where the Mayor Nakano runs into Chase Meridian. He asks Chase to restart and run Arkham Tower. Harley and Huntress bond and Batman tracks down Psycho Pirate only to let him go. The issue ends with Chase giving therapy to the Mayor’s wife and a tease for the Riddler arriving in the next issue. The art is so amazing in some portions and it is clear that Amancay Nahuelpan is a truly talented artist. But the art is incredibly inconsistent, seeming to alter styles from one page to the next.

The second story in this comic is an excellent final chapter to the story of The Forgotten. He seeks out revenge against the Joker with a group of kids. The plight of The Forgotten is reminiscent of the Morlocks. Batman talks him out of going down a path of vengeance but his redemption leads to a rapid end at the hand of the Penguin.

The logical question is why Matthew Rosenberg and Fernando Blanco are not given the main story spot here. They are an excellent creative team with perfect use of shadow and light and a true understanding of Batman and Gotham itself. As it stands a truly great creative team is being hidden behind an extraordinarily poor one.

Writing: 2 of 5 stars
Art: 3.2 of 5 Stars
Colors: 4 of 5 stars

Overall: 3 of 5 stars

Writers: Mariko Tamaki and Matthew Rosenberg
Art: Amancay Nahuelpan and Fernando Blanco
Colors: 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.