REVIEW: Knight Terrors: Detective Comics #2

Jim Gordon is in the middle of one of the worst nightmares imaginable in Knight Terrors: Detective Comics #2. On the verge of falling apart literally and figuratively, can Gordon hold on long enough to solve one last case and save Gotham one last time?

First things first, this is a true nightmare experience. Gordon is hunting down people tuned into monsters by real monsters from another dimension. And by the way, the monsters have killed his young ward and he himself has been “gifted” with a fragile glass body so he is slowly falling apart. Every moment of this issue is hard. Writer Dan Watters doesn’t let up on Gordon or the reader. Even his victories come at a cost. The mystery of the “good people of Gotham” is a dark fairy tale mixing nightmares with noir. There is also a twist that is devastating emotionally for Gordon. His battles are hard fought and while Gordon is at his most vulnerable, his core traits of grit and resilience still shine through.

The art here is even more terrifying than the tale being told. The mechanized Batman Gordon hunts looks more monster than machine. And the true monsters are designed as crosses between Hell Raiser and HP Lovecraft. But the art team of Riccardo Federici, Mike Perkins, and Stefano Raffaele (art) and Brad Anderson, Mike Spicer, and Lee Loughridge (colors) saved their best work for Mr. Gordon himself. The cracks all over his body and face plus how pieces break off throughout the issue are both well done. They are able to visualize his fragility in the obvious way but also through the art of his facial expressions. Gordon is in rough shape from beginning to end. Add subtle changes in the art at times when more emotional punch is needed and you have art that almost perfectly conveys the sense of dread the storyline is aiming for.

Jim Gordon is one of the most beloved characters in DC Comics. He may not be a superhero but is a hero without a doubt. He wears his heart on his sleeve and he has been put through as much as anyone in comics. And with that being sad, this tale could be one of his most emotionally trying episodes ever. But he does what he does, and endures to the bitter end. Knight Terrors: Detective Comics #2 is a nightmarish detective tale fans of the darker side of Gotham must read.

Writing – 4 Stars
Art – 4.5 Stars
Coloring – 5 Stars

Overall – 4.5 Stars

Written by; Dan Watters
Art by; Riccardo Federici, Mike Perkins, and Stefano Raffaele
Colors by; Brad Anderson, Mike Spicer, and Lee Loughridge
Letters by; Steve Wands

Published by; DC Comics

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Christopher R. Ford

Writer, author, and blogger. Published author of three children's books and also writes for the boy Creators For The Culture. Part-time sneaker head, full time nerd.