Leading up to “Endgame”’s conclusion in this month’s “Batman” #40, DC is releasing one-shots that connect to the chaos that the Joker has inflicted on Gotham City. “Detective Comics: Endgame” #1 is written by regular “Detective Comics” co-writer Brian Buccellato. Artists Roge Antonio and Ronan Cliquet, and colorist Nick Filardi join Buccellato in crafting a fun tale that portends further fleshing out of this introduction to a new concept and characters in the aftermath of “Convergence”.
Written by Brian Buccellato
Illustrated by Roge Antonio and Ronan CliquetThe city is overrun by Jokerized victims, but a small band of teenagers unites to take a stand. Their secret knowledge of Gotham City’s streets helps them survive, but will Batman take help from this young group of upstarts? And what could it mean for the future of the young heroes in Gotham City?
“Detective Comics: Endgame” #1 is not a vital piece of the “Endgame” puzzle, yet is an enjoyable story from a very solid creative team. Bat-readers know that Gotham has been overrun by a Jokerized populace in the “Batman” title, which gives this one-shot (and presumably the remaining books) a chance to shine a spotlight on more intimate stories happening amongst the Joker’s shenanigans. This issue is skillful in the way it fleshes out a moment in time between characters that we want to know more about while setting them up for a future in the Bat-world. This won’t be the last we see of this group, as it’s so obviously implied by issue’s end.
Brian Buccellato has fun with the teenagers’ banter and is skilled at telling a fast-paced story that feels very natural. The teens involved (with one in particular who will, from the first page, be recognizable to longtime Bat-fans) build a quick relationship and rapport that would form quickly given the condition of their home town and its precarious future. These are desperate people who genuinely care about others’ safety and is very refreshing for a book about a city that is constantly under attack. There’s a reason why people stay in Gotham and it’s because of people like this book’s cast.
This one-shot is a very solid superhero story that involves superheroics that aren’t just performed by superheroes. We can empathize with these characters and their reactions to certain events and denizens of their city. Anything can happen in this Gotham and, of course, nothing surprises these kids. They must be strong for themselves and others, which is something that they strive to do. Buccellato’s pacing is fluid and he mixes quiet scenes with occasional bursts of action. The dialogue and the conflicts aren’t forced, but highlight teenage characters that act in ways that are both very real and heroic at the same time.
Roge Antonio and Ronan Cliquet split the art duties, with Antonio penciling the first ten pages while Cliquet handles the last ten. There is a smooth transition between both artists because of the stylistic similarities between them. There’s a simplicity to both of their art work that is appropriate for a story that is very insular and focuses on four teenagers who are just getting to know each other. Simplicity of art fits Buccellato’s straightforward story.
Antonio handles the quieter moments and his art is slightly reminiscent of Rafael Albuquerque. That influence can be seen in the very expressive facial expressions of the characters and the shadowy inking evident throughout his ten pages. Lonnie’s fearful look transforms into one of anger and then immediately to panic as he runs from a threat. Lonnie, who can be considered the main protagonist, goes through many emotions in Antonio’s delightful pages. He is able to make his art feel vibrant when a scene calls for minimal action.
Cliquet’s artistic style is less refined and suitable for the scenes of action he’s given by Buccellato. Like Antonio’s art, Cliquet’s faces are eqaully expressive and his art retains that same fluidity as the first ten pages. Aside from a few awkward body proportions, Cliquet’s art shares the same dynamism as that of Antonio’s art. Cliquet is given an added responsibility of rendering certain guest stars and he does a more than admirable job of transforming larger than life characters into more relatable people. They seem to be almost on the same level as the average teens in this story.
Continued belowNick Filardi’s color palette is a gorgeous mix of darkness and light. In the opening panel of the book, Gotham City is seen from afar and the green of the city buildings mixes with the fires scattered throughout its streets. Something that is so horrific metamorphoses into something of beauty. This is evident throughout the book, whether it’s in teenagers on the run from hordes of drugged Gothamites or other less perilous situations. The muted, yet naturalistic, colors of the teens’ clothes clashes with a city that is vibrant with exaggerated colors. Bright red paint on alabaster white masks bring an added depth and emotional heft to a particular splash page.
Buccellato is clearly introducing us to characters that will be further explored in other places. He has fun with a story that may seem trite but is definitely more than that. It entertains while giving us a slice of life story in a city that is known for Batman and his family. Although Batman doesn’t interact with these characters, they are clearly influenced by the caped crusader and his crusade. He battles for a city that may seem like it has no hope of a brighter future. Yet these children believe in Gotham and believe that they can make a difference. Maybe they’ll end up inspiring Batman.
Final Verdict: 7.5 – With many of the current crop of new Bat-books featuring characters other than Batman, the teenagers in “Detective Comics: Endgame” #1 are welcome additions to Gotham’s streets.
