Review: Detective Comics #989

When things are not going right and all seems lost it helps to get back to basics. For most that focusing on what is most important in your life, but for someone like Batman, that means putting on your favorite cape and cowl and trying to solve a murder. When you are the World’s Greatest Detective it“s what you do. With Batman still feeling the shock waves of the wedding that wasn“t he has taken time out to investigate a crime even Commissioner Gordon thinks is beneath him. In true Batman fashion though he has to stumble upon something others have missed.

As a series Detective Comics has been in this limbo as of late with rotating creators getting their shot to write about The Dark Knight. It is now long time veteran James Robinson turn to take over. Now two issues into his six-issue story arc we are beginning to see his pitch form. Robinson has plenty of experience with this world and his experience surely helps. Although he is writing Batman in a very different way than he has been written as of late.

Here Batman does not come off as the legend that strikes chilling fear into the heart of his foes. Instead, he sounds like a disappointed parent who just wants these criminals to apply themselves more to their craft. Even having a Babe Ruth calling his shot moment where he directly tells Firefly how he is able to quickly defeat him. It is somewhat odd seeing a more talkative Batman like this. Having him blatantly explain to a villain how he is able to defeat him so easily seems more akin to the Adam West style of Batman. Considering this is a Batman who is in a lost state it makes sense if he does not act specifically like himself.

He even appears more emotionally open and willing to express gratitude. In a moment reminiscent of Bruce acknowledging Alfred in Batman #50 here Batman does something similar with Commissioner Gordon. It is not pronounced or as emotionally resonant, but it does demonstrate this is a Batman trying to recognize what is working in his life. It is consistent with a theme that is repeated continuously through this issue, which is the need to improve upon past mistakes.

Where this issue falters is with its final pages. Throughout there is a question lingering in the background asking what is really going on with all these random events. The problem is there is such an inevitability to the conclusion the sequence designed to be the major hook lands with a minor whimper. Before the book is even opened it is apparent where we are headed so the cliffhanger lacks the impact needed to yield the expected excitement. Predictability does not necessarily negatively impact a story. It is dependent upon what a moment is designed to do, and this feels like a moment in the conflict. Where the overall narrative cares more about the why but this issue is about the who. It is an example of why some stories read better in trade than they do issue to issue.

Final Thoughts:

For those hoping for a more lively Batman issue, #989 of Detective Comics gives you just that. It is a Batman that adds a berating diatribe to the list of his normal theatrics. There are a some solid character beats that make up for a disappointing conclusion. Hopefully, the remaining issues who show that this arc is moreÂ than a placeholder before a more concrete direction is set.

[yasr_overall_rating]

Writer: James Robinson
Artist: Stephen Segovia
Colorist: Ivan Plascencia
Letterer: Rob Leigh

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Daniel Clark

A fan of all things comics. Growing up on a healthy diet of 90's Batman and X-Men cartoon series ignited a love for the medium that remains strong today.