REVIEW: Detective Comics #973: The Belfryâ€™s Final Bell Tolls

Detective Comics“ team direction had me skeptical when it was announced, but when I read the first issue I was pleasantly surprised and have found myself enjoying the book more and more with each issue. The current issue, #973, was no exception. This issue was the finale to theÂ Fall of the BatmenÂ storyline, but felt nothing like a finale. The ending splash page features an event so shocking that it screams the story is far from over, and I for one need to see where it goes.

James Tynion IV has a way of taking the Bat Family and humanizing them. Â There are some great character moments sprinkled throughout a very action packed issue. Â A flashback to Batman and Red Robin setting up the Belfry showed why Tim and Bruce made such a great team. Bruce tends to get a little dark on his own and needs a Robin to kind of tether him. We see how the Belfry got its name and the discussion about bringing in Clayface.

The best scene in the issue is at the end after Cassie has administered a temporary cure to the giant rampaging Clayface who temporarily returns to his human form. He sees the damage he has wrought throughout Gotham and knows that quite a few people must have died during his attack. Cassie tries to talk to him and get through to him. Â For someone who has such a lack of vocal skills she was the best choice to try. The emotion came through and her concern, coupled with what I believe may be a bit of a crush, made that last splash page tug at the old heart-strings.

I wonder if we may have just witnessed the moment that Future Tim warned his younger self about. Â Did Batwoman just do the thing that causes all the dominoes to fall?

Jesus Merino brings Gotham City and it“s residents to life with his ability to convey emotion with his pencils. The tortured despair of Clayface, the concern of Cassie, and the playfulness of Red Robin setting up the Belfry while full of hope. Even without words you“d get the idea of what was going on.

Jason Wright makes Gotham live and breathe with his colors. Â The early flashback was bright and vibrant and showed a better time full of hope. The scenes in the present are darker and shows our heroes“ world has gotten a bit more grim and less hopeful.

With an unexpected assist from Anarky, the Bat Family has a lead on the First Victim and will no doubt be following up on it with all due haste. Â They also have to deal with what happens in that ending splash page (by now I bet you REALLY wanna know what happens).

The Belfry may be gone, but the Bat Family is far from done.

I really enjoyed this issue and highly recommend this series to any Bat fan. Now go pick up a copy so you can get to that splash page!

Story: 4.5
Art: 3.5
Overall Rating: 4

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(W) James TynionIV (A) Joe Bennett (CA) Guillem March