DETECTIVE COMICS #30 (REVIEW)

Detective Comics #30

Writer: Francis Manapul
           Brian Buccellato

Artist: Francis Manapul

Cover: Francis Manapul





The Rundown:
Story begins with two females on the pier as we read "Welcome to Gotham City. This place has the potential to be great...for both of us." Batman is prowling the rooftops at night. In pursuit of a group of thugs using children to deal their drugs. He is able to save the kids, but one of the thugs gets away ironically with the gang that he recently stole drugs from. Batman pursues them, but is unable to catch them.
At an Extreme Motorcross event, Bruce Wayne talks business with the woman from the pier, Miss Elena Aquila. Her daughter, Annie, is a four time champion and is participating in the event. Elena pitches her proposal of Bruce and his company joining her in re-developing Gotham City's East End Waterfront. She gets him to agree as it is an attempt to restore hope to a decaying part of the city he loves. As news of the venture spreads, it appears that it will receive some corrupt political pressure. Down at the Waterfront, Mr. Squid, is dealing with the thug that stole from him and escaped Batman earlier. We get an idea of his namesake as he hoists his victims by the chain around their neck using a crane and then drops them into a tank with what appears to be a man-eating squid.
Back at the Batcave, Bruce is working on Damian's motorbike as he converses with Alfred. Discussing how he misses his late son, and how much Damian loved his bike. The alarms begin to sound as an intruder makes their way onto the grounds of Wayne Manor. As Bruce rushes to face to assailant, he discovers that it is Elena Aquila. She is engulfed in flames, and falls into his arms to the ground.

The Review:
Detective Comics has a new creative team, and after this issue, they are a welcomed addition. The first part of the story arc "Icarus" was a very nice beginning, taking things back to a detective based story. Which of course leaves questions to be answered. What is this new drug hitting the streets of Gotham? Who is this Mr. Squid character? Is he a main player or just another pawn? And what of the Aquila Family? Is Elena dead, critically injured or is it all a rouse? Some of you may even wonder if we were witnessing the beginnings of a future Bat-Family member. With what has been presented in this issue, Annie Aquila is in a very similar situation as Batman and some of the other Bat-Family characters. All of these questions will likely be answered in the upcoming issues, but it is definitely a sign of good writing.
The art, although usually not fan of that style, was done well and added to the required tone of the story. It also added to some of the mystery with only giving us a small glimpse of Mr. Squid's killer pet. How large and grotesque is this thing, we will have to wait and see, but am intrigued. Usually I would mention how it told the story well, and it did, however that is almost expected when the artist is also the co-writer. A skill in itself, but who better to translate your words to pictures?
Overall, it was a really good issue. The new detective focused direction is nice to see happen, given the title and all. Hopefully, fans of The Flash were given equal talent to follow the work of Detective Comics new creative team. As although only an issue into their run, things are looking to be really good. With it being the Year Of The Batman, that is another thing that is nice to see happening.

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DETECTIVE COMICS #29 (REVIEW)

Detective Comics #29

Writer: John Layman

Artist: Art Thibert
          Aaron Lopresti

Cover: Guillem March





The Rundown:

The story begins showing "Gothtopia", a bright and sunny Gotham City, filled with happy and content citizens, while Batman reminds us all that this is not Gotham, this is all a lie. A lie that belongs to the Scarecrow, and a lie he must play along with. Batman is pretending to be under the control of Scarecrow, thanks to his new formulated fear toxin, and must play along in order to maintain his cover. Scarecrow aka Jonathan Crane, is showing off his accomplishment to his villainous cohorts, Mr. Freeze, Pyg, Merry-Maker and Harley Quinn. And informs them that they are free to kill Batman if they suspect he isn't under Crane's control, as Batman will be accompanying them while they venture out to perform their experiments. We see flashbacks to last issue where Batman was teaming with Poison Ivy to take Crane down when they were confronted by Batman's allies, all under Crane's control. Needing to gain Crane's trust, Batman incapacitates Ivy, before being hit with a whiff of Crane's fear gas. Batman breaks down the effects for us, telling us how it begins with either hot or cold sensations, followed by the feeling of insects crawling all over your body, finished with a flood of the persons deepest fears at an intensified level. Batman's of course, was the death of his parents. 

Back to the present, again not wanting to break cover, Batman plays along with Crane's cohorts as they hit the town in search of test subjects. Batman even takes the lead in performing the test using the gas on the victim and then gathering a sample for Crane. We find out that the samples are used to create new toxins within Crane's current formula, which he also plans to cover the entire state with via blimps. Batman reveals to us that he purposely led Merry-Maker and Pyg to the homes of criminals to perform the tests, criminals who will now suffer possibly permanent nightmares of Batman, and hopefully think twice before breaking the law. As for the samples, Batman had slipped in an antidote, that when mixed into the original formulas causes a chemical reaction triggering an explosion, and unleashing the new antidote-laced fear toxin, reversing the original effects. Batman's allies regain themselves, and begin to take down Freeze, Harley, and others. Just as Batman is about to apprehend Scarecrow, Crane uses his claws to stab Batman in the chest, killing him, and reclaiming Gotham. 
We then see Crane wearing a straightjacket hallucinating in a padded cell at Arkham Asylum as Batman, Jim Gordon and Dr. Arkham look on discussing the situation. Jim points out the Ivy wasn't accounted for to which Batman plays dumb, revealing to us that for helping him save Gotham, he gave Ivy a pass this time. Upon a rooftop, Batman is confronted by Catwoman, who was looking to discuss the events in the previous issues, and how they were together. Batman pushes her away, despite knowing they have feelings for each other, and receives a message from Alfred reporting multiple situations. Story closes with full page panel of Batman taking on Clayface.



The Review:
Was a pretty good ending to the "Gothtopia" story arc, and was written quite well. It was also a good example of how to give fans a really good story, but not drag it out too long (see Forever Evil). I wasn't a fan however of how Harley Quinn was used, nor Freeze, but with Harley it was a complete filler role, and conflicts with the events of her current solo title. As much as I love Harley and I know stories rarely line-up time wise, they should've used another character though with how small it was. Merry-Maker and Pyg got more face time and lines. I did really like the slight twist ending, with Scarecrow apparently killing Batman. Initial reaction was, "this is continuing on?" but was pleased with the "oh ya, the antidote" follow-up thought as I turned the page. Layman's run was decent one, although at times sidetracked by other events taking place in Batman's universe. Will be interesting to see what direction the new writer (come next issue) take the Dark Knight in DC Comics' namesake title.
 Art and Aaron really performed very well in the art department. The visuals both told the story very nicely, but also delivered an even quality in almost every panel. Another thing with Harley being used, they could have also perhaps kept with her more current look, if again she had to be used. However, I am also not really a fan of the "Suicide Squad" look as I call it. Compared to the overall art though, this is a very small complaint. The inks and colors were spot on as well, helping make the pictures pop off the page when needed.

Overall this was a really good issue. The art as mentioned was really good, and this was a well done, classic Batman ending to a story arc. The creative team went out on a definite high point as things switch up come next issue. With "Gothtopia" being quite interesting and very well done, the new crew will have some big shoes to fill. Until then...

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