Most of my experience with the Dark Knight and his various allies and villains are not from the pages of the comics but different films and the small screen. There’s something about Gotham that is daunting. There have been years of stories, retcons, and multiple titles running at the same time, it’s enough to make your head spin trying to find a good place to start. When my friend heard this, he recommended that I check out James Tynion IV’s run on “Detective Comics,” a book that takes pieces of Gotham’s large cast of vigilante crime fighters and turns them into a full-fledged team. In fact, the first arc of “Detective Comics” ‘Rise of the Batmen,’ builds the team and sets the stage for the larger conflict. ‘Rise of the Batmen,’ also wisely puts the focus of the arc on the relationship between Bruce Wayne and Kate Kane, and how their differences are their strength.
“Detective Comics” #934-940Cover by Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira and Adriano Lucas
Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Eddy Barrows and Alvaro Martinez
Inked by Eber Ferreira and Raul Fernandez
Colored by Adriano Lucas and Brad Anderson
Lettered by Marilyn Patrizio
Published by D.C.
‘Rise of the Batmen’ hits the ground running after Batman discovers that Gotham’s vigilante population is being monitored by drones that borrow from Bat tech. Because of this, Bruce recruits Batwoman to help him lead a team selected by Batman to keep them safe and help them prepare for this bigger threat. ‘The Rise of Batmen’ is Kate’s story. Kate is not only an experienced crime-fighter, her military training makes her a natural leader for the team. While Kate is hesitant with the role, Red Robin helps to bolster her confidence. As he points out “When [Batman] lets someone in, that MEANS something.” While the early part of the arc shows Kate struggling with her role as a leader, as the stakes get higher, Kate truly begins to rise to the occasion. But it’s more than that. With Kate in the spotlight, Tynion creates a compelling conflict not just between two ideologies of keeping people safe, but two feuding families.
The villain of the ‘Rise of the Batmen’ is initially a mystery. After some investigation, the team learns that they’re called “The Colony,” a paramilitary organization that seems to have access not only to Batman’s technology but his training. After reaching out to her father to help aid in the training, they discover that he is the one in charge of The Colony. This reveal creates a major dilemma for Kate, highlighting the conflicting ideologies of the Kane and Wayne families, and how they impact their philosophies of protecting others. The Kane family motto is “Stemus stimuli- We stand together,” a philosophy that has allowed for the Kane’s to be good soldiers, to be a piece in a larger machine. Yet, the Waynes seem to have a philosophy of standing alone, which doesn’t work for Jacob. It’s with this knowledge that his idea of The Colony makes sense. Batman has the skills of an entire platoon but uses them on a small scale. With The Colony, Jacob is able to apply the Kane philosophy to Bruce’s methods but seems to be forgetting one key component, Batman’s ethics. Throughout the arc, Jacob tempts Kate to join him in leading an army designed for her. While Kate never really seems tempted to join, it allows us to see what Batman sees in her as a leader, she is the perfect person to lead this team because she is a perfect reflection of both of these ways of viewing vigilanteism, trusting in a team but knowing the limits of how far to go.
This is best showcased in the mission to save Bruce. Kate originally plans to go alone because she thinks that what Bruce would want, the team isn’t up to his standards. But as Tim reminds her, it is her job to call the shots. So she stands with her team, putting her trust in the group, bridging the gap between the military precision of her father and the isolation of her cousin. Also, it’s a damn good team and it’s exciting to see them in action. Each member of the team brings a special dynamic tactically, but also emotionally. Of the characters, the two standouts are Cassandra Cain, who is a fighting master, but who is quiet and kind-hearted, and Clay Face. The inclusion of Clay Face is actually a thing that made me interested in the comic, and he delivers in a major way. Tynion explores his sadness in ‘Rise of the Batmen,’ but with that sadness comes hope for redemption. While the arc focuses mainly on Kate’s role as a leader, each character gets moments to shine, which truly makes it a team book.
A lot of these character moments are achieved in the art of ‘Rise of the Batmen.’ This is best showcased with Cassandra Cain, a character of few words. Eddy Barrows and Alvaro Martinez are able to give her strong emotions. You almost always know what she’s thinking, even if she’s not able to express it in her words. One of the saddest panels comes as Cassandra looks down on a group of ballerinas. There’s a longing there, she has the grace of a ballerina, but a killer instinct. Cassandra specifically shows the power of comics, because this is an incredible medium for a character who doesn’t speak, but is alert and smart. But where the art is strongest is in their action. Throughout the arc, there are some spectacular moments of Batman using the field to his advantage, especially when he escapes from the Colony using the smokescreen in his tooth. It reminds us of not only Batman’s advanced tactics but also his intimidation. The sequence with Tim dodging the drones has a fluidity and grace to it, showing his struggle. Finally, in the strongest sequence in the whole arc, is when Batman finds out about Tim’s acceptance to Ivy University. The emotion on Bruce’s face is heartbreaking and as his hands begin to shake and he brings Spoiler in for a hug, it’s clear that Batman’s role has changed, that now he has embraced being a leader and a support network for the next generation of Gotham’s heroes.
In an interview about “Detective Comics,” Tynion said that he wanted to write a story where Batman says “yes,” that he had said no for so many stories. It’s exciting to see where this goes from here. After the loss of a friend and colleague, with the rising threat of the Colony and The League of Shadows, and just living in Gotham, it’ll be exciting to see where the team goes from here. But ‘Rise of the Batmen’ makes a strong showing to start the series.
