Review: Detective Comics #994

Being the huge Batman fan that I am, I have been reading both Batman proper and Detective Comics since Year One was on the racks. So I have seen creative teams come and go like the seasons, but I still get excited every time there is a changing of the guard. The creative team of Peter J. Tomasi and Doug Mahnke coming on with this issue is especially exciting considering the pair have longstanding ties to Gotham, although this is their first trip to the city of the Dark Knight together. Tomasi had a solid run on Batman and Robin of forty issues and two annuals as well as a stint on Nightwing prior to that. Suffice to say this guy knows his way around Gotham. Artist extraordinaire Doug Mahnke has worked with the best of the best including the Master himself Grant Morrison, Geoff Johns and Ed Brubaker to name only a few, so I couldn’t think of an artist I would rather see paired with Tomasi on this Detective run that will include the historic issue #1000.

Tomasi’s debut narrative begins at the scene of a double homicide, however the victims have been surgically altered to mirror Thomas and Martha Wayne, creepy? We’re just getting started. Commissioner Gordon calls Batman to the Gotham Aquarium where the bodies of the two pseudo-Waynes have been submerged in a tank of water. Upon close inspection the Dark Knight learns that the physical similarities are just the tip of an iceberg reaching to the depths of Bruce’s young broken heart. Every detail has been mimicked down to the playbill inside the male victims suit pocket. Who could be responsible for such a calculated attack aimed directly at Bruce and on the anniversary of their brutal murders, this adds salt to the already stinging wounds created by this most foul of assailants. The identity of whom Batman can only guess, that is until he receives a call on his comm-link from longtime associate and friend, Dr. Leslie Thompkins who is at that very moment being attacked by a huge hulking monstrosity, the likes of which has not appeared in Gotham before this harrowing night.

Tomasi hits the ground running, writing this first issue of his run at break-neck pace. The action is fast and furious, however Tomasi expertly weaves the detail heavy narrative with precision allowing every beat to resonate fully. His delivery is so perfect, benefiting as it does from his vast knowledge of these characters. He writes what he knows and boy does this guy knows Batman. Tomasi, perhaps second only to Scott Snyder, in his grasp of the Batman/ Gordon dynamic, extrapolates more from the scenes shared by these two men of action because of his deep understanding of their unique chemistry. That comes through so clearly in this issue and is, my opinion, one of the major elements missing from Tom King’s take on the same relationship. I can’t imagine Tomasi’s Batman slugging Gordon. The paradigm at work here is one of mutual respect, but it goes deeper than that as is evidence by Gordon’s acquiescenceÂ to Batman at the crime scene. It’s not that the veteran police commissioner is out classed by the World’s Greatest Detective in competitive manner, its more of a learning curve and it goes both ways. Tomasi is such an impressive storyteller because of his attention to these kinds of character elements as well as his ability to craft a multi-faceted narrative without laboring the pace of the story to include such detailed character work.

Visually Doug Mahnke is at the top of his game here. His Batman is imposing without appearing blocky, there is an atheletic quality to him while maintaining his somewhat larger-than-life stature. Mahnke matches Tomasi’s dark tone bringing a gritty, noir sensibility to his vision of Gotham City. There is a kind of “endless night” feel to this narrative that Mahnke nails perfectly. His staging, pacing and page design all work together to bring a cinematic flow to the work. Jamie Mendoza’s inks capture all the intended detail in Mahnke’s pencils and enhance the precision linework to an amazing degree. Colorist, David Baron heightens the emotional tone with a somber selection of shades that call to mind a cold, rainy November night, perfect for a double homicide. Creepy? You beat and I love it, this is a gorgeous comic book from start to finish with a final page reveal will leave you smiling from ear to ear.

Tomasi and Mahnke are the perfect creative team to take us to the one thousand issue milestone. They have the storytelling chops to collaboratively keep things in Gotham intriguing, visually and literally. If you’ve been sitting out on Detective Comics, now is the time to jump on or return for what promises to be one heck of a good run. 5/5

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Writer- Peter J. Tomasi

Artist- Doug Mahnke

Inks- Jamie Mendoza

Colors- David Baron

Letterer- Rob Leigh