The team around Tomasi and Mahnke continue to march towards the big milestone by issue 1,000 by focusing on telling a detective story that may or may not have links to the Batman. With beautiful visuals, the story moves forward quickly, but it has still to prove its overall mission statement.
Written by Peter TomasiCover to Detective Comics #995 by Doug Mahnke
Pencilled by Doug Mahnke
Inked by Jaime Mendoza
Colored by David Baron
Lettered by Rob LeighAlfred Pennyworth…attacked at the Wayne mansion! Who’s hunting those closest to Batman? The monstrous shadow creature plaguing Gotham City gains the upper hand when two of the Dark Knight’s most ardent allies fall prey to the violent vendetta. Will those tragedies send Batman over the edge? Good thing he’s on his way to Arkham Asylum-but will he investigate a murder, or get incarcerated in a padded cell?
For a series that carries a specific aspect of the Batman character on its name, “Detective Comics” often steers in the super-heroics more than its investigative roots. It is a breath of fresh air, then, to see the beginning of a criminal plot on these pages, with a Batman deeply invested emotionally on the who’s and what’s of a mystery.
Mahnke’s art is extremely well suited for the challenge ahead. His characters are angular and filled with expression, his line-work is intentionally dirty, showcasing the less than savoury conditions Batman and his family are going through. In particular, the more ghastly aspects of “Detective Comics” #995 are brought to the front, with no disguises or innuendo, and those portrayals alone carry quite a punch. Credit must also go to Mendoza on inks: while some inkers would have chosen to use heavy blacks on some of the deeply rendered figures by Mahnke, Mendoza rather took the time to put those lines in, further adding to that sense of depth a grittiness Mahnke was going for.
Page and panel layout are also expertly crafted by Mahnke. The artist changes the pace deliberately through the issue, overlapping sequences of action with quieter moments to denote the flux of time, and also adding a higher panel count on some pages to reflect the frenetic sequence of events that are transpiring and the desperation of key characters as the drama unfolds around them.
Tomasi achieves quite a bit on “Detective Comics” #995, as well as the segways from the previous issue. First of all, every writer that understands and reflects the dynamic between Bruce and Alfred well deserves credit. Swerve too much to the emotional and the dialogue can become corny and flat. Lean to much into the stoic, and the same conversations will feel forced and cold. Here, however, these two men, father and son even, come across as real. They have gone through so much together, that their banter, their coordinated responses to crisis is a well-oiled machine. And when something disrupts that machine, the noise and impact are valid, true, and powerful.
Beyond that relationship, though, this issue is a bit derivative as to how Batman chooses to solve his problems. The master detective, at least for now, is shy on showing any master class on intelligence and deduction, rather reacting to what is happening, in typical fashion. Refusing to accept his shortcomings. A more than willing desire to fight violence with violence and to intimidate others to do his bidding. Sure, it is probably just set up for what is coming ahead but, taking this issue on its stand-alone merits, this is not a story that innovates or breaks new ground.
As to the overall plot, Tomasi does indeed show a lot of promise of what is happening. While this review will not go into spoiler territory, it is worth noting that the present threat is as much an obstacle to Batman as it is to Bruce Wayne, and far more personal that most of the caped crusader’s adventures. The villain behind it all surely has quite a few aces up his or her sleeves and, for once, it is leaving Batman and his closet allies in the dust.
While a lot of readers will focus on one major reveal and incident that concludes on “Detective Comics” #995 – and they’d be rightful to do so – it is the larger implications that should arise suspicious and excitement. Someone or something is hitting very close to home and that ability, that drive to make it to a point where few other villains have even come close, is worthy of praise.
All in all, “Detective Comics” #995 shows a lot of promise, even if it does not hit all the high notes just yet. Having said that, with such instigating dialogue and beautiful art, it more than deserved its audience’s attention, who should check back to how this major plot will move forward until the major anniversary issue.
Final Verdict : 7.0 – Tomasi, Mahnke and team have something quite interesting brewing, even if it is still not obvious and fully fleshed out. Here’s hoping more will be out in the open soon.
